Calculus 1: cram pack

Formula sheets, the key method steps for every topic and 8 practice problems, with full solutions at the back.

New problemsBack to the course

In the print window, choose “Save as PDF” to keep a copy on your device.

1Formulas and methods

Limits

Direct substitution
try x = a first; 0/0 means simplify
Factor and cancel
xⁿ − aⁿ = (x − a)(xⁿ⁻¹ + a·xⁿ⁻² + … + aⁿ⁻¹)
Conjugate
(√x − √a)(√x + √a) = x − a
Limits at infinity
divide by the highest power of x; equal degrees give the ratio of leading coefficients
Special limit
limx→∞ (1 + a/x)bx = eab
L'Hôpital's rule
lim f/g = lim f′/g′ (0/0 or ∞/∞)

Derivatives

Power rule
(xⁿ)′ = n·xⁿ⁻¹
Product rule
(uv)′ = u′v + uv′
Quotient rule
(u/v)′ = (u′v − uv′)/v²
Chain rule
f(g(x))′ = f′(g(x))·g′(x)
Common derivatives
(eˣ)′ = eˣ, (ln x)′ = 1/x, (sin x)′ = cos x, (cos x)′ = −sin x

Method

  1. Identify the structure: sum, product, quotient or composition.
  2. Apply the power rule to each power of x.
  3. Use the product, quotient or chain rule where needed.
  4. Simplify, and evaluate at the point if asked.

Optimization

Method
write Q(x) with one variable, solve Q′(x) = 0, check Q″ or the endpoints
Maximum
Q′(x) = 0, Q″(x) < 0
Minimum
Q′(x) = 0, Q″(x) > 0
Closed cylinder
V = πr²h, A = 2πr² + 2πrh
Profit
P = R − C, R = p·q, maximum where MR = MC

Integrals

Power rule
∫xⁿ dx = xⁿ⁺¹/(n + 1) + C
Definite integral
∫ab f dx = F(b) − F(a)
Common integrals
∫eˣ dx = eˣ, ∫1/x dx = ln|x|, ∫sin x dx = −cos x
Area between curves
∫ab (f − g) dx

Method

  1. Rewrite the integrand as a sum of simple terms where possible.
  2. Apply the power rule: ∫xⁿ dx = xⁿ⁺¹/(n + 1), and standard integrals for ex, 1/x, sin and cos.
  3. Use substitution when you see a function and its derivative together.
  4. For a definite integral, evaluate F(b) − F(a).

2Practice problems

1.LimitsMedium
xyy = L

Find the limit L = limx→∞ (−3x3 + 4x − 4)/(2x3 + 4x + 3).

f(x) = (−3x3 + 4x − 4)/(2x3 + 4x + 3)x → ∞
L =
2.LimitsHard
xyx = 0

Find the limit L = limx→0 (1 − cos 3x)/(2x²), with x in radians.

f(x) = (1 − cos 3x)/(2x²)x → 0
L =
3.DerivativesMedium
xyx = 3

Let f(x) = ln(3x2 + 4). Find f′(3).

f(x) = ln(3x2 + 4)x = 3
f′(3) =
4.DerivativesHard
xy

Let f(x) = x3 + 1.5x2 − 6x + 1. Find the x-coordinate x of the local minimum.

f(x) = x3 + 1.5x2 − 6x + 1
x =
5.OptimizationMedium
rh

A closed cylindrical can (with a top and a bottom) must hold 330 cm³. The metal used is proportional to the total surface area. Find the height h of the can that uses the least material.

V = 330 cm³
h = cm
6.OptimizationHard
p (€)R(p)10now

A theatre sells 680 tickets per show at €10 each. Market research shows that every €1 increase in the ticket price means 20 fewer tickets sold (and every €1 decrease, 20 more). Find the ticket price p that maximises revenue.

680 × €1020 / €1
p = €
7.IntegralsMedium
xy16y = x ln x

Evaluate I = ∫₁6 x·ln x dx.

∫₁6 x ln x dx
I =
8.IntegralsHard
xy1.5y = x²eˣ

Evaluate I = ∫₀1.5 x²·eˣ dx.

∫₀1.5 x²eˣ dx
I =

3Solutions

1.Limits

Answer: L = −1.5

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).

Divide by the highest power

(−3 + 4/x2 + (−4)/x3)/(2 + 4/x2 + 3/x3)

Let x → ∞

L = −3/2 = −1.5

Answer

L = −1.5

For equal degrees the limit is the ratio of the leading coefficients.

2.Limits

Answer: L = 2.25

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).

First application

3·sin 3x/(4x) → 0/0

Second application

9·cos 3x/4

Substitute x = 0

L = 9/4 = 2.25

Answer

L = 2.25
3.Derivatives

Answer: f′(3) = 0.5806

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.

Chain rule for the logarithm

f′(x) = 6x/(3x2 + 4)

Substitute

f′(3) = 18/31 = 0.5806

Answer

f′(3) = 0.5806
4.Derivatives

Answer: x = 1

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.

Derivative

f′(x) = 3x2 + 3x − 6 = 3·(x2 + x − 2)

Solve f′(x) = 0

x = −2 or x = 1

Which one is which

f″(x) = 6x + 3: negative at a maximum, positive at a minimum.

f″(−2) = −9, f″(1) = 9
x = 1

Answer

x = 1
5.Optimization

Answer: h = 7.49 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.

Area as a function of r

h = 330/(πr²)
A(r) = 2πr² + 660/r

Set the derivative to zero

A″(r) = 4π + 1320/r³ > 0, so this is a minimum.

4πr − 660/r² = 0 → r = ∛(330/(2π)) = 3.745 cm

Height and area

h = 330/(π·3.745²) = 2r = 7.49 cm
A = 2π·3.745² + 660/3.745 = 264.4 cm²

Answer

h = 7.49 cm

The cheapest closed can is as tall as it is wide: h = 2r.

6.Optimization

Answer: p = 22 €

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.

Revenue as a function of price

n(p) = 880 − 20p
R(p) = 880p − 20p²

Set the derivative to zero

R″(p) = −40 < 0, so this is a maximum.

p = 880/40 = €22

Maximum revenue

n = 880 − 20·22 = 440
R = 22·440 = €9680

Answer

p = €22
7.Integrals

Answer: I = 23.5

Integration by parts: ∫u·dv = u·v − ∫v·du, from the product rule. Choose u as the factor that gets simpler when you differentiate it (a power of x, or ln x), and dv as the factor you can integrate (eˣ, sin x, cos x, or x when u = ln x). For a definite integral, evaluate u·v at both limits: ∫ₐᵇ u dv = [u·v]ₐᵇ − ∫ₐᵇ v du. A factor x² needs two rounds.

Choose u and dv

u = ln x, du = dx/x; dv = x dx, v = x²/2

Antiderivative

∫x ln x dx = (x²/2)ln x − ∫(x/2) dx = (x²/2)ln x − x²/4

Limits

(18·ln 6 − 9) − (0 − 0.25) = 23.5

Answer

I = 23.5
8.Integrals

Answer: I = 3.602

Integration by parts: ∫u·dv = u·v − ∫v·du, from the product rule. Choose u as the factor that gets simpler when you differentiate it (a power of x, or ln x), and dv as the factor you can integrate (eˣ, sin x, cos x, or x when u = ln x). For a definite integral, evaluate u·v at both limits: ∫ₐᵇ u dv = [u·v]ₐᵇ − ∫ₐᵇ v du. A factor x² needs two rounds.

First round

∫x²eˣ dx = x²eˣ − ∫2x eˣ dx

Second round

∫2x eˣ dx = 2x eˣ − 2eˣ
∫x²eˣ dx = eˣ(x² − 2x + 2)

Limits

4.482·(1.25) − 1·2 = 3.602

Answer

I = 3.602

ExamProblems · examproblems.com/courses/calculus-1