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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
Identify the structure: sum, product, quotient or composition.
Apply the power rule to each power of x.
Use the product, quotient or chain rule where needed.
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
Rewrite the integrand as a sum of simple terms where possible.
Apply the power rule: ∫xⁿ dx = xⁿ⁺¹/(n + 1), and standard integrals for ex, 1/x, sin and cos.
Use substitution when you see a function and its derivative together.
For a definite integral, evaluate F(b) − F(a).
2Practice problems
1.LimitsMedium
Find the limit L = limx→∞ (√(x2 + 2x) − x).
f(x) = √(x2 + 2x) − xx → ∞
L =
2.LimitsHard
Find the limit L = limx→0 ln(1 + 2x)/sin(5x), with x in radians.
f(x) = ln(1 + 2x)/sin(5x)x → 0
L =
3.DerivativesMedium
Let f(x) = ln(2x2 + 5). Find f′(−1).
f(x) = ln(2x2 + 5)x = −1
f′(−1) =
4.DerivativesHard
Let f(x) = x3 − 12x2 + 36x + 3. Find the x-coordinate x of the local maximum.
f(x) = x3 − 12x2 + 36x + 3
x =
5.OptimizationMedium
A rectangular plot of 800 m² is fenced on all four sides. The side along the street, of length x, costs €20 per metre; the other three sides cost €8 per metre. Find the length x of the street side that minimises the cost.
A = 800 m²€20/m€8/m
x = m
6.OptimizationHard
A small firm sells its product at a fixed market price of €55 per unit. Producing q units costs C(q) = 1300 + 26q + 0.05q² euros. Find the output q that maximises profit.
p = €55C = 1300 + 26q + 0.05q²
q = units
7.IntegralsMedium
Evaluate I = ∫₀π/2 x·cos x dx (x in radians).
∫₀π/2 x·cos x dx
I =
8.IntegralsHard
Find the area A of the region between the parabola y = 9 − x² and the x-axis.
y = 9 − x²
A =
3Solutions
1.Limits
Answer: L = 1
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).
Multiply by the conjugate
f(x) = 2x/(√(x2 + 2x) + x)
Divide by x
f(x) = 2/(√(1 + 2/x) + 1)
Let x → ∞
L = 2/(1 + 1) = 1
Answer
L = 1
2.Limits
Answer: L = 0.4
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).
L'Hôpital's rule
L = limx→0 [2/(1 + 2x)]/[5·cos 5x]
Substitute x = 0
L = 2/5 = 0.4
Answer
L = 0.4
3.Derivatives
Answer: f′(−1) = −0.5714
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) = 4x/(2x2 + 5)
Substitute
f′(−1) = −4/7 = −0.5714
Answer
f′(−1) = −0.5714
4.Derivatives
Answer: x = 2
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 − 24x + 36 = 3·(x2 − 8x + 12)
Solve f′(x) = 0
x = 2 or x = 6
Which one is which
f″(x) = 6x − 24: negative at a maximum, positive at a minimum.
f″(2) = −12, f″(6) = 12
x = 2
Answer
x = 2
5.Optimization
Answer: x = 21.38 m
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.
Cost as a function of x
C(x) = 28x + 12800/x
Set the derivative to zero
C″(x) = 25600/x³ > 0, so this is a minimum.
x = √(12800/28) = 21.38 m
y = 800/21.38 = 37.42 m
Minimum cost
C = 28·21.38 + 12800/21.38 = €1197
Answer
x = 21.38 m
6.Optimization
Answer: q = 290 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.
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 = x, du = dx; dv = cos x dx, v = sin x
Antiderivative
∫x cos x dx = x sin x − ∫sin x dx = x sin x + cos x
Limits
(π/2·sin π/2 + cos π/2) − (0 + 1) = 0.5708
Answer
I = 0.5708
8.Integrals
Answer: A = 36
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.