Engineering Mathematics Mathematics For Construction: Analytical or Problem-Solving Skills

Engineering mathematics
Mathematics for construction
Guided learner
Self-learner
Any professional has to be a lifelong learner
Why do engineering students learn mathematics?

 In engineering, problems are modeled
mathematically. Such models are solved using
mathematical methods.
 Hence, engineering textbooks usually have a math
contents.
 Engineering mathematics improves learners’
analytical or problem-solving skills
o This subject trains your brain to think fast and
deep, and hence solve practical problems
better
ARE YOU WORRIED THAT YOUR MATHS
MAY NOT BE GOOD ENOUGH?
 You can study now
 You will be using lot of software to solve
mathematical problems
 Engineering students and engineers use lot of
software to solve mathematical problems
You will be trained to solve practical problems

To be trained
 Attend the lectures and learn with a purpose and
passion
 Workout the home assignments yourself
 Take every component in your study program, viz.,
lectures, practical(s), field visits, projects, and
industrial training very seriously
MATHEMATICAL FUNCTIONS
Constants versus variables:

Quantity: Quantities are either measurable or countable
Measureable quantities: Height, weight, time, mass,
temperature, speed, …
Countable quantities: number of columns in a structure,
number of engineers in a division, cost of an
equipment, …
Constants: A constant is a quantity that does not vary or
change with time.
Eg. the diameter of earth, acceleration of gravity (𝑔 =
9.81 ms −2 ), ratio between the circumference and the
𝜋𝑑
diameter of any circle = = 𝜋 = 3.1416
𝑑
Variables: A variable is a quantity that varies with some

other quantity
Eg.
Outdoor temperature in Katubedda varies with time
(𝜃(𝑡))
Deflection of a beam varies with the distance
𝑑(𝑥)
In
𝜃(𝑡)
𝜃 is the dependent variable because it depends on time,
𝑡. Time, 𝑡, is an independent variable.
In
𝑑(𝑥)
𝑑 is the dependent variable because it depends on the
distance, 𝑥. Distance, 𝑥, is the independent variable.
In engineering, we come across many quantities that are

variables. In general,
𝑦(𝑥)
We say “𝑦 is a function of 𝑥”.
If we know the function, we can fully analyze the
relationship between x and y.
Eg. You’re working in a construction company that
designs, constructs, and sell residential buildings. The
marketing division, finds out that the number of call
inquiries is a function of the marketing expenditure
𝑦(𝑥)
If the equation is known, we can analyze this behavior
(𝑦 as a function of 𝑥). For example, say
𝑦(𝑥 ) = 600(1 − 𝑒 −𝑥 )
600
500
Number of call inquiries per month
400
300
200
100
0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5
Marketing expenditure [m LKR]
Here, we see a growth with saturation.

For a function of 𝑥 or 𝑓(𝑥)
 We can plot the function and in detail study how
the function varies with respect to its independent
variable, 𝑥.
 For instance, we can find the maximum values,
minimum values and the roots of 𝑓(𝑥). Roots are
the values of 𝑥 where 𝑓(𝑥) = 0.
 Now-a-days, software such as MATLAB® or a
scientific calculator can be used to perform all
these.
Polynomial Functions:
One of the very common type of functions you come
across in engineering are polynomial functions.
The definition of an nth order (nth degree) polynomial
is:
𝑓(𝑥 ) = 𝑎𝑛 𝑥 𝑛 + 𝑎𝑛−1 𝑥 𝑛−1 + … + 𝑎0
where 𝑎𝑛 , 𝑎𝑛−1 , … , 𝑎0 are constant coefficients.
For example, 𝑥 4 − 2𝑥 3 + 4𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 1 is a 4th order

polynomial of 𝑥.
𝑥 6 − 2𝑥 + 2 is a 6th order polynomial of 𝑥.
𝑥 + 2 is a 1st order or linear polynomial of 𝑥.

𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 2 is a 2nd order or quadratic polynomial of 𝑥.
𝑥 3 − 2𝑥 + 2 is a 3rd order or cubic polynomial of 𝑥.
Scatter plots, regression, and correlation:
(((See the ppt file)))
Consider the following data set
>> x=[0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 4.0 4.5 5.0 5.5 6.0];
>> y=[994 1067 1111 1133 1192 1243 1301 1405 1457 1489 1552
1590];
 To visualize the data you may use scatter plots
>> scatter(x, y), grid on
Scatter plot helps you to identify “the data trend”
 To find the curve of best fit, do “auto-regression” (y(x) = ?)

 Interpolation
o Eg. To find y at x = 3.5 you need “interpolation” (y(3.5) = ?)
o This is within the range
 Extrapolation
o Eg. To find y at x = 6.4 you need “extrapolation” (y(6.4) = ?)
o This is outside of the range
AUTOREGRESSION: Fitting a curve to find the equation that best

describes the trend of data is called autoregression.
Do the scatterplot. Scatterplots help identify the trend of data.
A polynomial curve can be fitted using MATLAB® (polynomial

regression)
The syntax is:
>>polyfit(x,y,n)
 Fits a polynomial of order n to the (x, y) dataset
o 𝑛 = 1; 𝑦 = 𝑎1 𝑥 + 𝑎0 (linear or 1st order)
o 𝑛 = 2; 𝑦 = 𝑎2 𝑥 2 + 𝑎1 𝑥 + 𝑎0 (quadratic or 2nd order)
o 𝑛 = 3; 𝑦 = 𝑎3 𝑥 3 + 𝑎2 𝑥 2 + 𝑎1 𝑥 + 𝑎0 (cubic or 3rd
order)
 x and y are data arrays
For this example, scatter plot shows a linear trend. Hence, we fit a linear
polynomial or straight line (𝑛 = 1). In other words, we perform “Linear
regression” using MATLAB to find the line of best fit.
𝑦 = 99.1𝑥 + 1001.4
When the x-y relationship is known as an equation, we may find y for

any given x. For example, y at 𝑥 = 3.5 (interpolation)
at 𝑥 = 3.5, 𝑦 = 99.1 × 3.5 + 1001.4 = 1348.3
For example, y at 𝑥 = 6.5 (extrapolation)
at 𝑥 = 6.5, 𝑦 = 99.1 × 6.5 + 1001.4 = 1645.5
Question:
Is it recommendable to use this equation to find y at x = 40?. Explain!
Answer: No. This is extrapolating too far beyond. In order to make a

meaningful estimate, you need data around x = 40 and fit a new curve.
Question: It is recommended to use the line of best fit to estimate y at

x = 1.5 instead of using 1133. Do you agree? Explain!
Answer: Yes. Because the line of best fit represents the relationship
between x and y.
Now, we can compare data and fitted curve as follows

>> plot(x,y,x,99.1*x+1001.4), grid on
OR
>> plot(x,y,'rs',x,99.1*x+1001.4)
OR
>> plot(x,y,'gs',x,99.1*x+1001.4)
OR
>> plot(x,y,'--gs',x,99.1*x+1001.4)
etc.

Engineering Mathematics Mathematics For Construction: Analytical or Problem-Solving Skills

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Engineering Mathematics Mathematics For Construction: Analytical or Problem-Solving Skills

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Engineering mathematics

Mathematics for construction

Why do engineering students learn mathematics?

You will be trained to solve practical problems

Constants versus variables:

Variables: A variable is a quantity that varies with some

In engineering, we come across many quantities that are

Here, we see a growth with saturation.

For example, 𝑥 4 − 2𝑥 3 + 4𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 1 is a 4th order

𝑥 + 2 is a 1st order or linear polynomial of 𝑥.

(((See the ppt file)))

Consider the following data set

 To visualize the data you may use scatter plots

>> scatter(x, y), grid on

Scatter plot helps you to identify “the data trend”

 To find the curve of best fit, do “auto-regression” (y(x) = ?)

AUTOREGRESSION: Fitting a curve to find the equation that best

Do the scatterplot. Scatterplots help identify the trend of data.

A polynomial curve can be fitted using MATLAB® (polynomial

The syntax is:

When the x-y relationship is known as an equation, we may find y for

For example, y at 𝑥 = 6.5 (extrapolation)

at 𝑥 = 6.5, 𝑦 = 99.1 × 6.5 + 1001.4 = 1645.5

Is it recommendable to use this equation to find y at x = 40?. Explain!

Answer: No. This is extrapolating too far beyond. In order to make a

Question: It is recommended to use the line of best fit to estimate y at

Now, we can compare data and fitted curve as follows

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