HARAMAYA UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF NATURAL AND COMPUTATIONAL SCIENCES

Department of Mathematics
Mathematics for social science assignment for Economics students (Distance
Education)

Done by: Fami Abdi Ahmed

ID. No.: UGHUD 4040/17
Department: Economics
Submitted to: Dr/Mr. Tesfu Atlaw

Submission Date: 25/05/2025

Haramaya University, Ethiopia
Q#1. Show the following arguments are valid using truth table and formal proof
a. Whenever he participate a race, he is the winner. Either he participate the race or he sick.
He is not the winner. Therefore, he is sick.
b. If there was a ball game, then travelling was difficult. If they arrived on time, then the
travelling was not difficult. They arrived on time. Therefore, there was no ball game.
Solution
a) Whenever he participate a race, he is the winner. Either he participate the race or he sick. He is
not the winner. Therefore, he is sick.
Step 1: Identify the statements as premises and conclusion
Premises:
1. Whenever he participates in a race, he is the winner.
2. Either he participates in the race or he is sick.
3. He is not the winner.
Conclusion: Therefore, he is sick.
Step 2: Symbolize the statements
Let: P = He participates in the race, W = He is the winner and S = He is sick
The premises:
1. 𝑃 ⇒ 𝑊
2. 𝑃 ∨ 𝑆
3. ¬𝑊
Conclusion: S
i) By using truth table
We evaluate all combinations of P, W, S, and check if whenever the premises are true, the
conclusion S is also true.
P W S 𝑷⇒𝑾 𝑷 ∨𝑺 ¬𝑾 All Premises Conclusion S
T T T T T F F T
T T F T T F F F
T F T F T T F T
T F F F T T F F
F T T T T F F T
F T F T F F F F
F F T T T T T T√
F F F T F T F F

1
⸫ Therefore, in the only row where all premises are true (in row 7), and the conclusion is true, so
the argument is valid.
ii) By using formal proof method
Premises:
1. 𝑃 ⇒ 𝑊
2. 𝑃 ∨ 𝑆
3. ¬𝑊
The aim is to derive S:
1. ¬W ≡ T (from premise)
2. W ≡ F (from 1)
3. P ⇒W ≡ T (from premise)
4. P ≡ F (from 2, 3 and rule of implication)
5. 𝑃 ∨ 𝑆 ≡ T (from premise)
6. S ≡ T (from 4, 5 and rule of disjunction)
⸫ Therefore, the argument is valid
b) If there was a ball game, then travelling was difficult. If they arrived on time, then the travelling
was not difficult. They arrived on time. Therefore, there was no ball game.
Step 1: Identify the statements as premises and conclusion
Premise:
1. If there was a ball game, then travelling was difficult.
2. If they arrived on time, then travelling was not difficult.
3. They arrived on time.
Conclusion: Therefore, there was no ball game.
Step 2: Symbolize the statements
Let: B = There was a ball game, D = Travelling was difficult and A = They arrived on time
The premises:
1. B ⟹ D
2. A ⟹ ¬D
3. A
Conclusion: ¬B

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i) By using truth table
We can use a truth table for A, B, and D
A B D B⟹D A ⟹ ¬D All Premises ¬B
T T T T F F F
T T F F T F F
T F T T F F T
T F F T T T T
F T T T T F F
F T F F T F F
F F T T T F T
F F F T T F T
⸫ In the only row where all premises are true (row 4), conclusion ¬B is also true, it is valid.
ii) By using formal proof method
Premises:
1. B ⟹ D
2. A ⟹ ¬D
3. A
The aim is to derive ¬B:
1. A ≡ T (from premise)
2. A ⟹ ¬D ≡ T (from premise)
3. ¬D ≡ T (from 1, 2 and rule of implication)
4. D ≡ F (from 3)
5. B ⟹ D ≡ T (from premise)
6. B ≡ F (from 4, 5 and rule of implication)
7. ¬B ≡ T (from 6)
⸫ Therefore, the argument is valid
Q#2. If 2 - 3i is a root of p(x)= 2x3 – 5x2 + 14x + 39 find the remaining zeros of p(x)
Salutation
From the given, 2 − 3𝑖 is a root of the cubic polynomial of p(x)= 2x3 - 5x2 + 14x + 39
Step 1: Using complex conjugate root theorem
Since the polynomial has real coefficients, the complex conjugate of any non-real root must also
be a root.
⸫ So, if 2 – 3𝑖 is a root, then 2 + 3i is also a root.
Step 2: Multiply the complex roots into a quadratic factor

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 Let’s multiply (𝑥 – (2 – 3𝑖))(𝑥 – (2 + 3𝑖))
(𝑥 − 2 + 3𝑖)(𝑥 − 2 − 3𝑖) = [(𝑥 − 2)2 − (3𝑖)2 ] = (𝑥 − 2)2 + 9
= 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 4 + 9 = 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 13
⸫ So, this 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 13 is a quadratic factor of p(x).
Step 3: Divide the polynomial by 𝑥 2 – 4𝑥 + 13
We now divide p(x)= 2x3 - 5x2 + 14x + 39 by 𝑥 2 – 4𝑥 + 13
𝑝(𝑥) 2𝑥 3 − 5𝑥 2 + 14𝑥 + 39
=
𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 13 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 13
We can perform polynomial division
1st term: Divide 2𝑥 3 ÷ 𝑥 2 = 2𝑥
Multiply: 2𝑥(𝑥 2 – 4𝑥 + 13) = 2𝑥 3 – 8𝑥 2 + 26𝑥
Subtract: (2𝑥 3 – 5𝑥 2 + 14𝑥 + 39) – (2𝑥 3 – 8𝑥 2 + 26𝑥) = 3𝑥 2 – 12𝑥 + 39
2nd term: Divide 3𝑥 2 ÷ 𝑥 2 = 3
Multiply: 3(𝑥 2 – 4𝑥 + 13) = 3𝑥 2 – 12𝑥 + 39
Subtract: (3𝑥 2 − 12𝑥 + 39) − (3𝑥 2 − 12𝑥 + 39) = 0
So, the quotient is 2𝑥 + 3
Final factorization 𝑝(𝑥) = (𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 13)(2𝑥 + 3)
Step 4: Find all zeros
Set each factor equal to zero
1. 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 13 = 0
4 ± √(−4)2 − 4(1)(13) 4 ± √16 − 52
= =
2 2
4 ± √−36 4 ± 6𝑖
= = = 2 ± 3𝑖
2 2
3
2. 2x + 3 = 0 ⇒ x = −
2
3
⸫ Therefore, the three zeros of p(x) are: 2 - 3i, 2 + 3i, and - 2

Q#3. Sketch the graph of the following functions and identify the domain, range, intercepts
and asymptotes.
a. f(x)= log2 (x - 3)
b. f(x)= -5 + ex

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Solution
a. f(x)= log2 (x - 3)

This is a logarithmic function with base 2, shifted 3 units to the right.

i) Domain: The logarithm is only defined for positive arguments: 𝑥 − 3 > 0 ⇒ 𝑥 > 3

⸫ Domain: (3, ∞)

ii) Range: Logarithmic functions can output all real numbers:

iii) Intercepts

 x - intercept: Set f(x) = 0, then, log2 (x-3) = 0 ⇒ x - 3 = 20 = 1 ⇒ x = 4

⸫ So, the x-intercept is (4, 0)

 y – intercept is not defined since x = 0 is not in the domain.

iv) Asymptotes

 Vertical asymptote: where the argument of the log is 0, then 𝑥 − 3 = 0 ⇒ 𝑥 = 3

⸫ So there's a vertical asymptote at x = 3

b. f(x)= -5 + ex

This is an exponential function, 𝑒 𝑥 , shifted down by 5 units.

i) Domain: Exponential functions are defined for all real numbers:

⸫ Domain: (−∞, ∞)
ii) Range: Since 𝑒 𝑥 > 0, then: -5 + ex > -5. Therefore, the range is (-5,∞)
iii) Intercepts

 y-intercept: Set x = 0, then f(0) = -5 + e0 = -5 + 1 = -4

⸫ y-intercept is (0,−4)

 x-intercept: Set f(x) = 0, then, -5 + ex = 0 ⇒ ex = 5 ⇒ x = ln(5) ≈ 1.61

⸫ Therefore, x-intercept is (ln 5 , 0)
iv) Asymptotes

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  Horizontal asymptote: Since 𝑒 𝑥 → 0 as x→−∞, the horizontal asymptote is: y = -5

Q#4. Solve the following equations

1
a. 6(1 + x) =
36(4x + 2)

b. 2log(x) - log(x2 + 4x + 1) = 0
Solution
1
a. 6(1 + x) = (4x + 2)
36

We can express 36(4x + 2) as: 36(4𝑥 + 2) = (62 )(4𝑥 + 2) = 6(8𝑥 + 4)

So the equation becomes:
1
61 + 𝑥 = ⇒ 61 + 𝑥 = 6−(8𝑥 + 4)
6(8𝑥 + 4)
Now, equate the exponents (since the bases are the same and nonzero):
1 + x = -(8x + 4)
Solve for x:
1 + x = -8x - 4 ⇒ 1 + x + 8x + 4 = 0
5
9x + 5 = 0 ⇒ x = - 9
5
⸫ Therefore, x = -
9

b. 2log(x) - log(x2 + 4x + 1) = 0

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  Use the logarithmic identity: alog(b) = log (ba )
⸫ So, log(𝑥 2 ) − log(𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 1) = 0
𝑎
Use the identity: log (𝑏) = log(a) - log (b)

𝑥2
log ( )=0
𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 1
𝑥2
=1
𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 1
Solve the rational equation:
𝑥 2 = 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 1
𝑥 2 − 𝑥 2 = 4𝑥 + 1
4𝑥 + 1 = 0
1
𝑥=−
4
Now check the domain of the original logarithmic expression:
 log(x): require x > 0
 log(x2 + 4x + 1): requires x2 + 4x + 1 > 0
1
⸫ x = - is not valid for log(x), because x < 0. Therefore, there is no solution {∅}
4
x2 - 5x + 4
Q#5. Sketch the graph of f(x)= by showing all necessary steps clearly and neatly
x2 + 2x - 15

Solution
i) Factorize the numerator and denominator
x2 - 5x + 4 = (𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 − 4) and x2 + 2x - 15 = (x + 5)(x - 3)
So, the function becomes
(𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 − 4)
f(x)=
(x + 5)(x - 3)
ii) Domain: The domain excludes values that make the denominator zero.
 Therefore, the domain is {𝑥: 𝑥∈R, x ≠ -5 and x ≠ 3}.
iii) x – intercepts (where f(x) = 0)
(𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 − 4)
=0
(x + 5)(x - 3)
(𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 − 4) = 0
x = 1, and x = 4

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⸫ Therefore, x – intercepts is (1, 0) and (4, 0)
iv) y - intercepts (let x = 0)
(0-1)(0-4) (-1)(-4) 4
f(0) = = =-
( + 5)(0 - 3) (5)(-3) 15
4
⸫ Therefore, y – intercepts is (0, - 15)

v) Vertical asymptotes (where the denominator = 0)

 At x = -5 and x = 3 (since numerator should be x ≠ 0 at the x-values). Therefore at these
points there are vertical asymptote.
vi) Horizontal asymptotes: Compare the degrees of numerator = 2 and denominator = 2, both are
equal.
leading coefficient of numerator 2
y= = =1
leading coefficient of denominator 2
⸫ Therefore, horizontal asymptotes is at y = 1
vii) Sign analysis (to sketch the curve)
 By using test interval divided by critical points: x = -5, x = 3, x = 1, x = 4.
 Choose test values in each interval to determine sign of f(x):
Interval Test x Sign of numerator Sign of denominator Sign of f(x)
(-∞, -5) -6 (+)(+) = + (-)(-) = + +
(-5, 1) 0 (-)(-) = + (+)(-) = - -
(1, 3) 2 (+)(-) = - (+)(-) = - +
(3, 4) 3.5 (+)(-) = - (+)(+) = + -
(4, ∞) 5 (+)(+) = + (+)(+) = + +

x2 - 5x + 4
viii) The graph of f(x)= is:
x2 + 2x - 15

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Q#6. Consider the system of linear equation

𝒙 − 𝟐𝒚 + 𝟑𝒛 = 𝟗
{ −𝒙 + 𝟑𝒚 = −𝟒
𝟐𝒙 − 𝟓𝒚 + 𝟓𝒛 = 𝟏𝟕

Solution

a. Gaussian elimination method

Step 1: Write the augmented matrix:

1 -2 3 9
(-1 3 0 | -4 )
2 -5 5 17

Step 2: Make leading 1 in Row 1, and eliminate below:

Add Row 1 to Row 2:

R2 = R2 + R1 = (0, 1, 3, |5)

Row 3: R3 = R3 − 2⋅R1

𝑅3 = 𝑅3 − 2𝑅1 = (2, −5, 5, |17) − 2(1, −2, 3, |9) = (0, −1, −1, |−1)

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Therefore, the new

1 -2 3 9
(0 1 3 | 5)
0 -1 -1 -1

Step 3: Eliminate below and above pivot in column 2:

Add row 2 to row 3:

𝑅3 = 𝑅3 + 𝑅2 = (0, 0, 2, |4)

1 -2 3 9
(0 1 3 | 5)
0 0 2 4

Step 4: Back substitution

From row 3: 2𝑧 = 4 ⇒ 𝑧 = 2

From row 2: 𝑦 + 3𝑧 = 5 ⇒ 𝑦 + 6 = 5 ⇒ 𝑦 = −1

From row 1: 𝑥 − 2𝑦 + 3𝑧 = 9 ⇒ 𝑥 + 2 + 6 = 9 ⇒ 𝑥 = 1

Therefore, x = 1, y = -1 and z = 2

b) Cramer’s rule

1 −2 3 9
Given, AX = B A = [−1 3 0] B = [−4]
2 −5 5 17

Let’s find det(A):

det(A) = 1x (3x5 – 0x(-5)) – (-2)x(-1x5 – 0x2) + 3x(-1x(-5)-3x2))

= 1(15) – 2(5) + 3(5 – 6) = 15 – 10 + 3(-1) = 15 - 10 – 3 = 2

Now compute determinants of matrices with columns replaced by B:

9 −2 3
Dx replace first column with B: [−4 3 0]
17 −5 5

det(Dx) = 9 x (3x5 – 0x(-5)) – (-2)x(-4x5 – 0x17) + 3x(-4x(-5)-3x17))

= 9(15) – 2(20) + 3(20 – 51) = 135 – 40 + 3(-31) = 135 - 40 – 93 = 2

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 1 9 3
Dy replace second column with B: [−1 −4 0]
2 17 5

det(Dy) = 1 x (-4x5 – 0x17) – 9x(-1x5 – 0x2) + 3x(-1x17-(-4)x2)

= 1(-20) – 9(-5) + 3(-17 + 8) = -20 + 45 + 3(-9) = -20 + 45 – 27 = – 2

1 9 3
Dz replace third column with B: [−1 −4 0]
2 17 5

det(Dz) = 1 x (3x17 – (-4)x(-5)) – (-2)x(-1x17 – (-4)x2) + 9x(-1x(-5) - 3x2)

= 1(51 – 20) – (-2)(-17 + 8) + 9(5 - 6) = 31 – (-2)(-9) + 9(-1) = 31 - 18 – 9 = 4

Now using Cramer’s rule

𝑑𝑒𝑡(𝐷𝑥) 2 det(𝐷𝑦) −2 det(𝐷𝑍) 4

𝑥= = = 1, 𝑦= = = −1, 𝑧= = =2
𝑑𝑒𝑡(𝐴) 2 det(𝐴) 2 det(𝐴) 2

Therefore, the values of x = 1, y = -1, and z = 2 which are similar with the previous solution.

c) Inverse matrix method

 Let’s solve x = A-1 B

1 −2 3 9
Already we have A = [−1 3 0] B = [−4] and det(A) = 2
2 −5 5 17
1
A-1 = 𝑎𝑑𝑗(𝐴)
det(𝐴)

−7.5 −5 −4.5
Through calculation I have get A-1 = [−2.5 −2.5 −1.5]
−1.5 −2.5 −1

−7.5 −5 −4.5 9
Then x = A-1 B = [−2.5 −2.5 −1.5] [−4]
−1.5 −2.5 −1 17

⸫ Therefore, the values of x = 1, y = -1, and z = 2

Q#7. Evaluate the following

2x - 3 7x
a) lim ( x + 3 )
x→∞

11
 2x+3
b) ∫ (x+2)3 dx

Solution

2x - 3 7x
a) lim ( x + 3 )
x→∞

Step 1: Simplify the expression inside the power

3 3
2x - 3 x(2 - 𝑥 ) 2- 𝑥
= = → 2 𝑎𝑠 𝑥 → ∞
x+3 3 3
x(1 + 𝑥) 1+ 𝑥

So the limit becomes

3 7x
2- x
( )
3
1+ x

This is an indeterminate form of type ∞0 , so we take logarithms or ln to evaluate

2x - 3 7x
Let 𝐿 = lim ( x + 3 ) , then
x→∞

2x - 3 7x
𝑙𝑛𝐿 = ln ( lim ( ) )
x→∞ x + 3

2x - 3
ln 𝐿 = lim (7𝑥) ln ( )
x→∞ x+3
2x - 3
Now simplify ln ( x + 3 )
3 3
2-
ln (
2x - 3
) = ln ( x ) = ln 2 + ln (1 - 2x)
x+3 3 3
1+ 1+ x
x
As 𝑥 → ∞, the above equation becomes ln(2) + 0.
By using the approximation
3 3
2- x 1 - 2x 3 3
ln ( ) = ln (2 × ) = ln 2 + ln (1 − − )
3 3 2x x
1+ x 1+ x

This can be simplified into

2x - 3 9
ln ( ) ≈ ln 2 −
x+3 2𝑥

12
 9 63
ln 𝐿 = lim (7𝑥) (ln 2 − ) = lim (7𝑥 ln 2 − )= ∞
x→∞ 2𝑥 x→∞ 2
2x - 3 7x
Therefore, lim ( x + 3 ) = ∞
x→∞
2x+3
b) ∫ dx
(x+2)3
Let u = x + 2 ⇒ x = u – 2 and du = dx
Then, 2x + 3 = 2(u – 2) + 3 = 2u – 4 + 3 = 2u – 1
So the integral becomes
2𝑢 − 1 2 1
∫ 3
𝑑𝑢 = ∫ ( 2 − 3 ) 𝑑𝑢 = ∫ 2𝑢−2 𝑑𝑢 − ∫ 𝑢−3 𝑑𝑢
𝑢 𝑢 𝑢
After integrating it becomes
𝑢−1 𝑢−2 2 1
2( )− ( )= − + +𝐶
−1 −2 𝑢 2𝑢2
Substitute u = x + 2
2 1
− + +𝐶
x + 2 2(x + 2)2
Q#8. For the given function f(x)= -2x3 +3x2 +12x+6, find the interval on which the function is
increasing and decreasing using derivative test.
Solution
To determine where the function is increasing or decreasing we can use the first derivative test.
Step 1: Find the first derivative 𝑓 ′ (𝑥)
𝑑
𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = (-2x3 +3x2 +12x+6) = −6𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 12
𝑑𝑥
Step 2: Find the critical points
Set 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 0: −6𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 12 = 0
Divide the whole equation by – 6, then it is become 𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 2 = 0
Then factorize the equation: (𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 + 1) = 0
⸫ So, the critical points are x = 2 and x = - 1
Step 3: Determine sign of 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) in each interval
 Testing interval (−∞, −1), (−1, 2), and (2, ∞)
Pick test points in each interval and plug into f' (x)= -6x2 + 6x + 12
 For interval (−∞, −1): pick x = - 2

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 f' (x)= -6(-2)2 + 6(-2) + 12 = -24 - 12 +12 = −24, which is negative
 For interval (−1, 2): pick x = 0
f' (x)= -6(0)2 + 6(0) + 12 = 12, which is positive
 For interval (2, ∞): pick x = 3
f' (x)= -6(3)2 + 6(3) + 12 = -54 + 18 +12 = −24, which is negative
Step 4: Conclude increasing and decreasing interval
 Decreasing on (−∞, −1)
 Increasing on (−1, 2)
 Decreasing on (2, ∞)

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