Makerere University
CEDAT
Department of Mechanical Engineering
EMT1101: Assignment 2
Date: 2nd September, 2024
This assignment is group work and must be handwritten. One group leader should upload the
assignment on MUELE, on behalf of the whole group (Double submissions will not be allowed).
Each group member should clearly have their name and student number written on the first page.
Scan the written pages with a phone or printer and convert to 1 pdf document.
Question One
a) By use of completing the square, translation and change of scale, sketch the following
curves:
i. 3𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 2
2
ii. 𝑦 = (𝑥−1)2
b) Discuss the continuity of the function
1
,𝑥 < 0
(𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 + 2)
𝑓(𝑥) =
1
,𝑥 ≥ 0
{(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 + 3)
Question Two
a) Show that:
1
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = lim+ 𝑓 ( )
𝑥→∞ 𝑦→0 𝑦
Hence find:
3𝑥 2 −𝑥−2
i. lim
𝑥→∞ 𝑥 2 −1
ii. lim 𝑥(√(1 + 𝑥 2 ) − 𝑥)
𝑥→∞
b) Evaluate the following limits
√(1+𝑥)−√(1−𝑥)
i. lim
𝑥→0 3𝑥
cos 𝑥 sin 𝑥−𝑥
ii. lim
𝑥→0 𝑥3
sin−1 2𝑥
iii. lim
𝑥→0 𝑥
iv. lim
𝜋
(sec 𝑥 − tan 𝑥)
𝑥→ ⁄2
Question Three
a) In the analysis of practical problems, functions that have different formulae on different
parts of their domain are frequently used. Consider a beam of length 𝑙 that is freely hinged
at both ends and carries a concentrated load W at 𝑥 = 𝑎 (see Figure 1).
Figure 1: A beam, hinged at both ends, carrying a point load
i. Determine the shear force, 𝐹, and bending moment, 𝑀, representation over the
entire beam length
ii. Sketch the shear force and bending moment distribution for a freely hinged beam
iii. Discuss the continuity of the shear force and bending moment functions
b) A beam is a horizontal structural member which carries load. These induce forces and
stresses inside the beam in transmitting the loads to the supports. For design safety, two
internal quantities are used, the shear force 𝐹 and the bending moment 𝑀. At each point
along the beam the forces are in equilibrium. From first principles (with illustrations), show
that the shear force 𝐹 acting in a beam is related to the bending moment 𝑀 by:
𝑑𝑀
𝐹=
𝑑𝑥
