Formula sheets, the key method steps for every topic and 8 practice problems, with full solutions at the back.
Find the limit L = limx→∞ (−x2 − x + 8)/(2x2 + 4x + 5).
Find the limit L = limx→0 (1 − cos 3x)/(3x²), with x in radians.
Let f(x) = ln(x2 + 4). Find f′(−1).
Let f(x) = x3 − 3x2 − 9x + 6. Find the x-coordinate x of the local maximum.
A closed cylindrical can (with a top and a bottom) must hold 500 cm³. The metal used is proportional to the total surface area. Find the height h of the can that uses the least material.
A company sells q units per week. The price at which it can sell them is p = 150 − 2q euros per unit, and the cost is C(q) = 100 + 115q euros. Find the maximum weekly profit P.
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 between the parabola y = 4 − x² and the x-axis.
Answer: L = −0.5
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 = 1.5
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) = −0.4
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 = −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.
f″(x) = 6x − 6: negative at a maximum, positive at a minimum.
Answer: h = 8.603 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.
A″(r) = 4π + 2000/r³ > 0, so this is a minimum.
The cheapest closed can is as tall as it is wide: h = 2r.
Answer: P = 53.13 €
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) = −4 < 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 = 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.
ExamProblems · examproblems.com/courses/calculus-1