Math for economyMM1005

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  1. 1Search for the word that confuses you — the box at the top searches the whole course.
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  4. 4Still stuck? Bring the question to the exercise session or send an email.

Lecturer: Eric Ahlqvist, eric.ahlqvist@math.su.se · Put “MM1005” in the subject line.

← 7
Lecture 8 Infinite totals, and a second variable
9 →
8 Problems

Infinite totals, and a second variable

The problems follow the sections of the theory. Those that are checked at once get new numbers each time you press New variant: repeat them until the method runs by itself. Those with a solution are for paper. Write the whole solution before you open it, then compare line by line. Last come problems in the form of the exam, with points and a marking guide.

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●○○ Basic●●○ Intermediate●●● Challenge Checked instantlySolution included

Substitution: the last integration rule

Read the theory: 1. Substitution: the last integration rule →
Problem 3●●○ IntermediateSolution included

(a) Compute $\displaystyle\int_{1}^{e}\frac{(\ln x)^{2}}{x}\,dx.$

(b) Find $\displaystyle\int x\sqrt{x^{2}+9}\,dx,$ and check your answer by differentiating it.

(c) Compute $\displaystyle\int_{0}^{4}x\sqrt{x^{2}+9}\,dx$ in two ways: with the limits changed to $u,$ and with the answer of (b).

Hint

In (a) the inside function is $\ln x,$ and its derivative $1/x$ is there. In (b) put $u=x^{2}+9;$ then $x\,dx=\tfrac12du$ (Method 8.2).

Stuck? Read 1. Substitution: the last integration rule →

Infinite totals

Read the theory: 2. Infinite totals →
Problem 12●●● ChallengeSolution included

Consider the series $$ \begin{aligned} &\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{1}{n(n+1)}\\ &=\frac{1}{1\cdot2}+\frac{1}{2\cdot3}+\frac{1}{3\cdot4}+\cdots\,. \end{aligned} $$

(a) Show that $\dfrac{1}{n(n+1)}=\dfrac1n-\dfrac{1}{n+1}.$

(b) Use (a) to find the partial sum $s_{n}$ in closed form.

(c) Does the series converge? If so, what is its sum? Use Definition 8.5 and nothing else.

(d) Is the answer to (c) consistent with Fact 8.11?

Hint

In (b), write out $s_{4}$ with the terms of (a), and watch what cancels.

Stuck? Read 2. Infinite totals →
Problem 13●●● ChallengeSolution included

Consider $$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\bigl(x^{2}-3\bigr)^{n}\,.$$

(a) For which $x$ does the series converge? The answer is not a single interval.

(b) For those $x,$ find the sum.

(c) For which $x$ is the sum equal to $1$?

Hint

The ratio is $k=x^{2}-3$ and the first term is $k$ as well. Write $|k|<1$ as a double inequality, and solve each half for $x^{2}$ first.

Stuck? Read 2. Infinite totals →

Present value: perpetuities, annuities and loans

Read the theory: 3. Present value: perpetuities, annuities and loans →
Problem 19●●○ IntermediateSolution included

A loan of $300\,000$ kr is repaid over $10$ years at $4\%$ a year, in equal instalments at the end of each year.

(a) Find the instalment.

(b) How much of the first instalment is interest, and how much of it reduces the debt?

(c) How much is paid in total, and what is the difference between that and $300\,000$ kr?

Hint

Fact 8.9 gives the instalment. In the first year the interest is $4\%$ of the whole debt.

Stuck? Read 3. Present value: perpetuities, annuities and loans →
Problem 20●●● ChallengeSolution included

A share pays a dividend of $50$ kr at the end of next year, and the dividend then grows by $2\%$ a year, for ever. The interest rate is $6\%$ a year.

(a) Write the value of the share today as a series, and show that it is geometric. What are $a$ and $k$?

(b) Find the value. Compare with a share whose dividend stays at $50$ kr.

(c) What happens to your answer if the dividend grows by $6\%$ a year or more? What does that say about the model?

Hint

The dividend at the end of year $n$ is $50\cdot1.02^{n-1}$ kr, and it is worth that divided by $1.06^{n}$ today (Example 8.8).

Stuck? Read 3. Present value: perpetuities, annuities and loans →

A second variable

Read the theory: 4. A second variable →
Problem 23●○○ BasicSolution included

Let $F(K,L)=4K^{1/4}L^{1/2}.$

(a) Compute $F(16,9).$

(b) Both inputs are multiplied by $t>0.$ By what factor is output multiplied? What kind of returns to scale is this, and by about how much does output rise when both inputs double?

(c) Now only capital doubles, from $16$ to $32,$ and labour stays at $9.$ By what factor does output rise?

(d) Which exponent on $L$ would give constant returns to scale?

Hint

Substitute and collect the powers of $t,$ as in Example 8.14. In (c) only one factor changes.

Stuck? Read 4. A second variable →

Partial derivatives

Read the theory: 5. Partial derivatives →
Problem 28●●○ IntermediateSolution included

A household's demand for a good, at price $p$ and income $m,$ is $$D(p,m)=\frac{20\sqrt{m}}{p}\qquad(p>0,\ m>0)\,.$$

(a) Find $\dfrac{\partial D}{\partial p}$ and $\dfrac{\partial D}{\partial m}.$

(b) Evaluate $D$ and both partial derivatives at $(p,m)=(5,400),$ and say in words what each partial derivative means.

(c) Compute the two elasticities $\dfrac{p}{D}\cdot D'_{p}$ and $\dfrac{m}{D}\cdot D'_{m}$ at $(5,400).$ Where could you have read them off?

(d) Next year the price rises to $6$ and income to $500.$ Why is $-16$ not a good estimate of the change in demand?

Hint

Write $D=20\,m^{1/2}p^{-1}.$ Each partial derivative is the power rule in one variable, with the other a constant (Watch out 8.16).

Stuck? Read 5. Partial derivatives →

Differentiating twice

Read the theory: 6. Differentiating twice →
Problem 31●●○ IntermediateSolution included

Let $f(x,y)=x\,e^{xy}.$

(a) Find $f'_{1}$ and $f'_{2}.$

(b) Find all four second-order partial derivatives, and check that the mixed ones agree.

(c) Evaluate the four at $(x,y)=(1,0).$

Hint

For $f'_{1},$ $x\,e^{xy}$ is a product of two factors that both contain $x{:}$ product rule and chain rule. For $f'_{2},$ the factor $x$ is a constant.

Stuck? Read 6. Differentiating twice →

Mixed, as on the exam

Here the sections are mixed, and nothing says which method to use. Write the solution on paper, with reasons, before you look.

Problem 32●●● ChallengeSolution included

Let $f(x)=e^{-x/2}.$

(a) Compute $\displaystyle\int_{0}^{\infty}e^{-x/2}\,dx.$

(b) Compute $\displaystyle\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}e^{-n/2}$ and $\displaystyle\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}e^{-n/2},$ exactly and to two decimals.

(c) Explain with rectangles of width $1$ why $$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}e^{-n/2}<\int_{0}^{\infty}e^{-x/2}\,dx<\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}e^{-n/2}\,.$$

Hint

In (a) integrate to $b$ and let $b\to\infty$ (Definition 8.5). In (b), $e^{-n/2}=\bigl(e^{-1/2}\bigr)^{n}{:}$ a geometric series. In (c), $f$ is decreasing.

Stuck? Read 2. Infinite totals →

As on the exam

4 problems · 36 p

Problems in exam form, with points. Solve them on paper or in the box. Then open the solution one step at a time and mark yourself against the rubric.

Exam problem 110 pComputeModel: 2024-10-01 Q2 (b); 2025-09-30 Q2 (b); final 2026-09-28 Q2 (b); practice exam 2 Q2 (b)

Two improper integrals by substitution

Calculate the integrals

  1. (a)
    $\displaystyle\int_{0}^{\infty}(x+1)\,3^{-x^{2}-2x}\,dx,$
    5 p
  2. (b)
    $\displaystyle\int_{0}^{\infty}\frac{4x+2}{\bigl(x^{2}+x+2\bigr)^{3}}\,dx.$
    5 p

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Exam problem 210 pComputeModel: 2022-09-28 Q6; 2024-10-01 Q6; practice exam 1 Q6

A series with a root, and the tail of another

Answer both parts.

  1. (a)

    For which real values of $x$ does the series $$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\left(\frac{\sqrt{x+6}}{4}\right)^{n}$$ converge? For which value of $x$ is the sum of the series equal to $3$?

    5 p
  2. (b)

    Find the smallest natural number $N$ such that $$\sum_{n=N}^{\infty}\left(\frac23\right)^{n}<\frac{1}{100}\,.$$

    5 p

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Exam problem 310 pComputeModel: final 2026-09-28 Q6 (b); practice exam 2 Q6 (b); 2024-11-05 Q5

A savings plan, a perpetuity and an annuity

Answer both parts.

  1. (a)

    At the end of every year you deposit $2500$ kronor in an account that pays $4\,\%$ interest per year. Let $S_{n}$ be the balance immediately after the $n$-th deposit. Show that $$S_{n}=62\,500\,\bigl(1.04^{n}-1\bigr)\,,$$ and determine the smallest $n$ for which the balance exceeds $100\,000$ kronor.

    5 p
  2. (b)

    A foundation is to award a prize of $6000$ kronor at the end of every year, and its money earns $3\,\%$ interest per year.

    (i) How much money must the foundation hold today if the prize is to be awarded for ever?

    (ii) Suppose instead that the prize is to be awarded for $20$ years only. Write the amount needed today as a closed formula (without a sum sign), explain how it follows from the formula for a geometric sum, and evaluate it to the nearest krona.

    5 p

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Exam problem 46 pComputeModel: 2021-11-10 Q4; 2022-11-09 Q6; practice exam 2 Q6 (a)

Convergence on two rays, and a logarithm as the ratio

Answer both parts.

  1. (a)

    For which real $x$ does $$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}(x-1)^{-2n}$$ converge? For which $x$ is its sum equal to $\tfrac18$?

    3 p
  2. (b)

    For which $x>0$ does $$\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}\bigl(2\ln x\bigr)^{n}$$ converge? For which $x$ is its sum equal to $2$?

    3 p

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Builds onFact 8.7