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→∞ (3x2 − 6x − 7)/(5x2 + 2x + 5).

f(x) = (3x2 − 6x − 7)/(5x2 + 2x + 5)x → ∞
L =
2.LimitsHard
xyx = 0

Find the limit L = limx→0 ln(1 + 5x)/sin(3x), with x in radians.

f(x) = ln(1 + 5x)/sin(3x)x → 0
L =
3.DerivativesMedium
xyx = 1

Let f(x) = (2x + 1)4. Find f′(1).

f(x) = (2x + 1)4x = 1
f′(1) =
4.DerivativesHard
xyx = −1

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

f(x) = −x2 + xx = −1
b =
5.OptimizationMedium
xhxno lid

An open box (no lid) with a square base must hold 500 cm³. Use the least possible material, that is the smallest area of the base plus the four sides. Find the height h.

V = 500 cm³
h = cm
6.OptimizationHard
qP(q)maximum

A small firm sells its product at a fixed market price of €45 per unit. Producing q units costs C(q) = 300 + 22q + 0.2q² euros. Find the maximum profit P.

p = €45C = 300 + 22q + 0.2q²
P = €
7.IntegralsMedium
xy26

Evaluate I = ∫26 3/x dx.

f(x) = 3/x[2, 6]
I =
8.IntegralsHard
xyy = x2​y = 2x

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

y = x2y = 2x
A =

3Solutions

1.Limits

Answer: L = 0.6

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 + (−6)/x + (−7)/x2)/(5 + 2/x + 5/x2)

Let x → ∞

L = 3/5 = 0.6

Answer

L = 0.6

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

2.Limits

Answer: L = 1.667

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 [5/(1 + 5x)]/[3·cos 3x]

Substitute x = 0

L = 5/3 = 1.667

Answer

L = 1.667
3.Derivatives

Answer: f′(1) = 216

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·(2x + 1)3·2

Substitute

f′(1) = 4·33·2 = 216

Answer

f′(1) = 216
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) = −2
f′(x) = −2x + 1 → f′(−1) = 3

Tangent line at x = 0

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

Answer

b = 1
5.Optimization

Answer: h = 5 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 + 2000/x

Set the derivative to zero

S″(x) = 2 + 4000/x³ > 0, so this is a minimum.

x³ = 1000 → x = 10 cm

Height and area

h = 500/10² = 5 cm
S = 10² + 2000/10 = 300 cm²

Answer

h = 5 cm

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

6.Optimization

Answer: P = 361.3 €

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) = 45q − (300 + 22q + 0.2q²) = −0.2q2 + 23q − 300

Set the derivative to zero

P″(q) = −0.4 < 0, so this is a maximum.

23 − 0.4q = 0 → q = 57.5

Maximum profit

P = 23·57.5 − 0.2·57.5² − 300 = €361.3

Answer

P = €361.3
7.Integrals

Answer: I = 3.296

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) = 3·ln x

Evaluate at the limits

I = 3·(ln 6 − ln 2) = 3·ln 3 = 3.296

Answer

I = 3.296
8.Integrals

Answer: A = 1.333

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

x2 = 2x → x = 0, x = 2

Integrate upper minus lower

A = [x2 − 0.3333x3]02 = 1.333

Answer

A = 1.333

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