Calculus 1: cram pack

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

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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→∞ (1 + 3/x)2x. Give a decimal value.

f(x) = (1 + 3/x)2xx → ∞
L =
2.LimitsHard
xyx = 0

Find the limit L = limx→0 ln(1 + 4x)/sin(3x), with x in radians.

f(x) = ln(1 + 4x)/sin(3x)x → 0
L =
3.DerivativesMedium
xyx = 1

Let f(x) = (3x + 3)5. Find f′(1).

f(x) = (3x + 3)5x = 1
f′(1) =
4.DerivativesHard
xyx = 3

The tangent line to f(x) = 2x2 − 2x − 4 at x = 3 crosses the y-axis at y = b. Find b.

f(x) = 2x2 − 2x − 4x = 3
b =
5.OptimizationMedium
xhxno lid

An open box (no lid) with a square base must hold 108000 cm³. Use the least possible material, that is the smallest area of the base plus the four sides. Find the base side x.

V = 108000 cm³
x = cm
6.OptimizationHard
p (€)R(p)10now

A theatre sells 580 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.

580 × €1020 / €1
p = €
7.IntegralsMedium
xy02

Evaluate I = ∫02 2x·(x² + 1)2 dx.

f(x) = 2x·(x² + 1)2[0, 2]
I =
8.IntegralsHard
xyy = 2x2​y = 2x

Find the area A of the region enclosed by y = 2x2 and y = 2x.

y = 2x2y = 2x
A =

3Solutions

1.Limits

Answer: L = 403.4

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).

Take the logarithm

ln L = limx→∞ 2·x·ln(1 + 3/x)

Evaluate

ln(1 + u)/u → 1 as u → 0, so x·ln(1 + a/x) → a.

ln L = 2·3 = 6

Undo the logarithm

L = e6 = 403.4

Answer

L = 403.4
2.Limits

Answer: L = 1.333

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).

L'Hôpital's rule

L = limx→0 [4/(1 + 4x)]/[3·cos 3x]

Substitute x = 0

L = 4/3 = 1.333

Answer

L = 1.333
3.Derivatives

Answer: f′(1) = 19440

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) = 5·(3x + 3)4·3

Substitute

f′(1) = 5·64·3 = 19440

Answer

f′(1) = 19440
4.Derivatives

Answer: b = −22

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(3) = 8
f′(x) = 4x − 2 → f′(3) = 10

Tangent line at x = 0

b = f(x₀) − f′(x₀)·x₀ = 8 − 10·3 = −22

Answer

b = −22
5.Optimization

Answer: x = 60 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 x

S(x) = x² + 432000/x

Set the derivative to zero

S″(x) = 2 + 864000/x³ > 0, so this is a minimum.

x³ = 216000 → x = 60 cm

Height and area

h = 108000/60² = 30 cm
S = 60² + 432000/60 = 10800 cm²

Answer

x = 60 cm

The best open box is half as tall as it is wide.

6.Optimization

Answer: p = 19.5 €

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) = 780 − 20p
R(p) = 780p − 20p²

Set the derivative to zero

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

p = 780/40 = €19.5

Maximum revenue

n = 780 − 20·19.5 = 390
R = 19.5·390 = €7605

Answer

p = €19.5
7.Integrals

Answer: I = 41.33

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.

Substitution

u = x² + 1, du = 2x dx
I = ∫15 u2 du

Integrate and evaluate

I = [u3/3]15 = (125 − 1)/3 = 41.33

Answer

I = 41.33
8.Integrals

Answer: A = 0.3333

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.

Intersection points

2x2 = 2x → x = 0, x = 1

Integrate upper minus lower

A = [x2 − 0.6667x3]01 = 0.3333

Answer

A = 0.3333

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