Formula sheets, the key method steps for every topic and 8 practice problems, with full solutions at the back.
Find the limit L = limx→∞ (−6x2 + x + 3)/(3x2 + 3x + 6).
Find the limit L = limx→0 (e2x − 1 − 2x)/x².
Let f(x) = x·sin(3x), with x in radians. Find f′(1.5).
The tangent line to f(x) = x2 − 2x + 3 at x = 3 crosses the y-axis at y = b. Find b.
A rectangular plot of 400 m² is fenced on all four sides. The side along the street, of length x, costs €25 per metre; the other three sides cost €5 per metre. Find the length x of the street side that minimises the cost.
A small firm sells its product at a fixed market price of €50 per unit. Producing q units costs C(q) = 2400 + 22q + 0.05q² euros. Find the output q that maximises profit.
The region under y = 0.5x from x = 0 to x = 3 is rotated about the x-axis. Find the volume V of the solid (a cone).
Find the area A of the region enclosed by y = x2 and y = 3x.
Answer: L = −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).
For equal degrees the limit is the ratio of the leading coefficients.
Answer: L = 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).
Answer: f′(1.5) = −1.926
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.
Answer: b = −6
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.
Answer: x = 11.55 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.
C″(x) = 8000/x³ > 0, so this is a minimum.
Answer: q = 280 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.
P″(q) = −0.1 < 0, so this is a maximum.
Answer: V = 7.069
Volumes of revolution: rotating the region under y = f(x) from x = a to x = b about the x-axis makes a solid whose cross-section at x is a disc of radius f(x). Adding the discs gives V = π∫ₐᵇ f(x)² dx. When the region lies between an outer curve R(x) and an inner curve r(x), each slice is a washer: V = π∫ₐᵇ (R(x)² − r(x)²) dx. Square the radii before you subtract them.
Check: a cone of radius 1.5 and height 3 has (1/3)πr²h = 7.069.
Answer: A = 4.5
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.
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