Formula sheets, the key method steps for every topic and 8 practice problems, with full solutions at the back.
Find the limit L = limx→∞ (1 + 2/x)x. Give a decimal value.
Find the limit L = limx→0 (e−2x − 1 + 2x)/x².
Let f(x) = x·sin(x), with x in radians. Find f′(1).
Let f(x) = x3 − 12x2 + 36x + 6. Find the x-coordinate x of the local minimum.
A closed cylindrical can (with a top and a bottom) must hold 355 cm³. The metal used is proportional to the total surface area. Find the height h of the can that uses the least material.
A company sells q units per week. The price at which it can sell them is p = 190 − 0.5q euros per unit, and the cost is C(q) = 8200 + 25q euros. Find the weekly output q that maximises profit.
The region under y = x from x = 0 to x = 1 is rotated about the x-axis. Find the volume V of the solid (a cone).
The region between the line y = 2x and the parabola y = 2x² is rotated about the x-axis. Find the volume V of the solid.
Answer: L = 7.389
Limits: first try direct substitution. If it gives 0/0, simplify first: factor and cancel the common factor, or multiply by the conjugate. As x → ∞, divide numerator and denominator by the highest power of x. L'Hôpital's rule: if f/g gives 0/0 or ∞/∞, then lim f/g = lim f′/g′, differentiating the numerator and the denominator separately (not with the quotient rule).
ln(1 + u)/u → 1 as u → 0, so x·ln(1 + a/x) → a.
Answer: L = 2
Limits: first try direct substitution. If it gives 0/0, simplify first: factor and cancel the common factor, or multiply by the conjugate. As x → ∞, divide numerator and denominator by the highest power of x. L'Hôpital's rule: if f/g gives 0/0 or ∞/∞, then lim f/g = lim f′/g′, differentiating the numerator and the denominator separately (not with the quotient rule).
Answer: f′(1) = 1.382
Differentiation: the derivative f′(x) is the slope of the graph at x. Power rule: (xⁿ)′ = n·xⁿ⁻¹. Product rule: (uv)′ = u′v + uv′. Chain rule: (f(g(x)))′ = f′(g(x))·g′(x). Where f′(x) = 0 the graph has a horizontal tangent: a maximum, minimum or saddle point.
Answer: x = 6
Differentiation: the derivative f′(x) is the slope of the graph at x. Power rule: (xⁿ)′ = n·xⁿ⁻¹. Product rule: (uv)′ = u′v + uv′. Chain rule: (f(g(x)))′ = f′(g(x))·g′(x). Where f′(x) = 0 the graph has a horizontal tangent: a maximum, minimum or saddle point.
f″(x) = 6x − 24: negative at a maximum, positive at a minimum.
Answer: h = 7.674 cm
Optimization: write the quantity to optimise as a function of one variable, using the constraint to eliminate the other. Set the derivative to zero and solve. Check that the critical point is a maximum or minimum (second derivative or sign change of the first derivative) and that it lies inside the allowed range; an endpoint such as a zero side length is not the answer.
A″(r) = 4π + 1420/r³ > 0, so this is a minimum.
The cheapest closed can is as tall as it is wide: h = 2r.
Answer: q = 165 units
Optimization: write the quantity to optimise as a function of one variable, using the constraint to eliminate the other. Set the derivative to zero and solve. Check that the critical point is a maximum or minimum (second derivative or sign change of the first derivative) and that it lies inside the allowed range; an endpoint such as a zero side length is not the answer.
P″(q) = −1 < 0, so this is a maximum.
Answer: V = 1.047
Volumes of revolution: rotating the region under y = f(x) from x = a to x = b about the x-axis makes a solid whose cross-section at x is a disc of radius f(x). Adding the discs gives V = π∫ₐᵇ f(x)² dx. When the region lies between an outer curve R(x) and an inner curve r(x), each slice is a washer: V = π∫ₐᵇ (R(x)² − r(x)²) dx. Square the radii before you subtract them.
Check: a cone of radius 1 and height 1 has (1/3)πr²h = 1.047.
Answer: V = 1.676
Volumes of revolution: rotating the region under y = f(x) from x = a to x = b about the x-axis makes a solid whose cross-section at x is a disc of radius f(x). Adding the discs gives V = π∫ₐᵇ f(x)² dx. When the region lies between an outer curve R(x) and an inner curve r(x), each slice is a washer: V = π∫ₐᵇ (R(x)² − r(x)²) dx. Square the radii before you subtract them.
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