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→∞ (−6x3 − 5x + 3)/(5x3 + 2x + 9).

f(x) = (−6x3 − 5x + 3)/(5x3 + 2x + 9)x → ∞
L =
2.LimitsHard
xyx = 0

Find the limit L = limx→0 (1 − cos 5x)/(3x²), with x in radians.

f(x) = (1 − cos 5x)/(3x²)x → 0
L =
3.DerivativesMedium
xyx = −1

Let f(x) = (3x − 1)4. Find f′(−1).

f(x) = (3x − 1)4x = −1
f′(−1) =
4.DerivativesHard
xyx = −1

The tangent line to f(x) = x2 + 4x at x = −1 crosses the y-axis at y = b. Find b.

f(x) = x2 + 4xx = −1
b =
5.OptimizationMedium
rh

A closed cylindrical can (with a top and a bottom) must hold 400 cm³. The metal used is proportional to the total surface area. Find the height h of the can that uses the least material.

V = 400 cm³
h = cm
6.OptimizationHard
qP(q)maximum

A company sells q units per week. The price at which it can sell them is p = 190 − 0.25q euros per unit, and the cost is C(q) = 5100 + 30q euros. Find the price p that maximises profit.

p = 190 − 0.25qC = 5100 + 30q
p = €
7.IntegralsMedium
xy03

Evaluate I = ∫03 e0.5x dx.

f(x) = e0.5x[0, 3]
I =
8.IntegralsHard
xy−22

Find the area A of the region between the parabola y = 4 − x² and the x-axis.

y = 4 − x²
A =

3Solutions

1.Limits

Answer: L = −1.2

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).

Divide by the highest power

(−6 + (−5)/x2 + 3/x3)/(5 + 2/x2 + 9/x3)

Let x → ∞

L = −6/5 = −1.2

Answer

L = −1.2

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

2.Limits

Answer: L = 4.167

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

5·sin 5x/(6x) → 0/0

Second application

25·cos 5x/6

Substitute x = 0

L = 25/6 = 4.167

Answer

L = 4.167
3.Derivatives

Answer: f′(−1) = −768

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

f′(x) = 4·(3x − 1)3·3

Substitute

f′(−1) = 4·(−4)3·3 = −768

Answer

f′(−1) = −768
4.Derivatives

Answer: b = −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.

Point and slope

f(−1) = −3
f′(x) = 2x + 4 → f′(−1) = 2

Tangent line at x = 0

b = f(x₀) − f′(x₀)·x₀ = −3 − 2·(−1) = −1

Answer

b = −1
5.Optimization

Answer: h = 7.986 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 = 400/(πr²)
A(r) = 2πr² + 800/r

Set the derivative to zero

A″(r) = 4π + 1600/r³ > 0, so this is a minimum.

4πr − 800/r² = 0 → r = ∛(400/(2π)) = 3.993 cm

Height and area

h = 400/(π·3.993²) = 2r = 7.986 cm
A = 2π·3.993² + 800/3.993 = 300.5 cm²

Answer

h = 7.986 cm

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

6.Optimization

Answer: p = 110 €

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.

Profit function

P(q) = (190 − 0.25q)·q − (5100 + 30q) = −0.25q2 + 160q − 5100

Set the derivative to zero

P″(q) = −0.5 < 0, so this is a maximum.

q = 160/0.5 = 320

Price and profit

p = 190 − 0.25·320 = €110
P = 160·320 − 0.25·320² − 5100 = €20500

Answer

p = €110
7.Integrals

Answer: I = 6.963

Definite integrals: ∫ₐᵇ f(x) dx is the signed area between the graph and the x-axis from a to b. Find an antiderivative F (with F′ = f) and evaluate F(b) − F(a). Power rule: ∫xⁿ dx = xⁿ⁺¹/(n + 1). The area between two curves is ∫(upper − lower) dx.

Antiderivative

F(x) = e0.5x/0.5

Evaluate at the limits

I = (e1.5 − 1)/0.5 = (4.482 − 1)/0.5 = 6.963

Answer

I = 6.963
8.Integrals

Answer: A = 10.67

Definite integrals: ∫ₐᵇ f(x) dx is the signed area between the graph and the x-axis from a to b. Find an antiderivative F (with F′ = f) and evaluate F(b) − F(a). Power rule: ∫xⁿ dx = xⁿ⁺¹/(n + 1). The area between two curves is ∫(upper − lower) dx.

Zeros

4 − x² = 0 → x = ±2

Integrate

A = [4x − x³/3]−22 = 5.333 − (−5.333) = 10.67

Answer

A = 10.67

ExamProblems · examproblems.com/courses/calculus-1