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→∞ (√(4x2 − 10x) − 2x).

f(x) = √(4x2 − 10x) − 2xx → ∞
L =
2.LimitsHard
xyx = 0

Find the limit L = limx→0 (e2x − 1 − 2x)/x².

f(x) = (e2x − 1 − 2x)/x²x → 0
L =
3.DerivativesMedium
xyx = 1

Let f(x) = x·sin(3x), with x in radians. Find f′(1).

f(x) = x·sin(3x)x = 1 rad
f′(1) =
4.DerivativesHard
xyx = −2

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

f(x) = 2x2 + x + 2x = −2
b =
5.OptimizationMedium
rh

A closed cylindrical can (with a top and a bottom) must hold 330 cm³. The metal used is proportional to the total surface area. Find the height h of the can that uses the least material.

V = 330 cm³
h = cm
6.OptimizationHard
qP(q)maximum

A company sells q units per week. The price at which it can sell them is p = 110 − 1q euros per unit, and the cost is C(q) = 400 + 45q euros. Find the weekly output q that maximises profit.

p = 110 − 1qC = 400 + 45q
q = units
7.IntegralsMedium
xy28

Evaluate I = ∫28 4/x dx.

f(x) = 4/x[2, 8]
I =
8.IntegralsHard
xyy = 0.5x2​y = 3x

Find the area A of the region enclosed by y = 0.5x2 and y = 3x.

y = 0.5x2y = 3x
A =

3Solutions

1.Limits

Answer: L = −2.5

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).

Multiply by the conjugate

f(x) = −10x/(√(4x2 − 10x) + 2x)

Divide by x

f(x) = −10/(√(4 + (−10)/x) + 2)

Let x → ∞

L = −10/(2 + 2) = −2.5

Answer

L = −2.5
2.Limits

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).

First application

(2·e2x − 2)/(2x) → 0/0

Second application

4·e2x/2

Substitute x = 0

L = 4·1/2 = 2

Answer

L = 2
3.Derivatives

Answer: f′(1) = −2.829

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.

Product and chain rule

f′(x) = sin(3x) + 3x·cos(3x)

Substitute

f′(1) = 0.1411 + 3·(−0.99) = −2.829

Answer

f′(1) = −2.829
4.Derivatives

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.

Point and slope

f(−2) = 8
f′(x) = 4x + 1 → f′(−2) = −7

Tangent line at x = 0

b = f(x₀) − f′(x₀)·x₀ = 8 − (−7)·(−2) = −6

Answer

b = −6
5.Optimization

Answer: h = 7.49 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 r

h = 330/(πr²)
A(r) = 2πr² + 660/r

Set the derivative to zero

A″(r) = 4π + 1320/r³ > 0, so this is a minimum.

4πr − 660/r² = 0 → r = ∛(330/(2π)) = 3.745 cm

Height and area

h = 330/(π·3.745²) = 2r = 7.49 cm
A = 2π·3.745² + 660/3.745 = 264.4 cm²

Answer

h = 7.49 cm

The cheapest closed can is as tall as it is wide: h = 2r.

6.Optimization

Answer: q = 32.5 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.

Profit function

P(q) = (110 − 1q)·q − (400 + 45q) = −q2 + 65q − 400

Set the derivative to zero

P″(q) = −2 < 0, so this is a maximum.

q = 65/2 = 32.5

Price and profit

p = 110 − 1·32.5 = €77.5
P = 65·32.5 − 1·32.5² − 400 = €656.3

Answer

q = 32.5
7.Integrals

Answer: I = 5.545

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) = 4·ln x

Evaluate at the limits

I = 4·(ln 8 − ln 2) = 4·ln 4 = 5.545

Answer

I = 5.545
8.Integrals

Answer: A = 18

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

0.5x2 = 3x → x = 0, x = 6

Integrate upper minus lower

A = [1.5x2 − 0.1667x3]06 = 18

Answer

A = 18

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