Formula sheets, the key method steps for every topic and 8 practice problems, with full solutions at the back.
Find the limit L = limx→∞ (−6x3 + 4x − 1)/(x3 + 2x + 7).
Find the limit L = limx→0 (e2x − 1 − 2x)/x².
Let f(x) = x·e2x. Find f′(1).
Let f(x) = x3 − 3x2 − 5. Find the x-coordinate x of the local minimum.
An open box (no lid) with a square base must hold 4000 cm³. Use the least possible material, that is the smallest area of the base plus the four sides. Find the minimum surface area S.
A theatre sells 420 tickets per show at €12 each. Market research shows that every €1 increase in the ticket price means 20 fewer tickets sold (and every €1 decrease, 20 more). Find the maximum revenue R per show.
Evaluate I = ∫₀2 x·cos x dx (x in radians).
Find the area A of the region between the parabola y = 1 − x² and the x-axis.
Answer: L = −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).
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) = 22.17
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 = 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.
f″(x) = 6x − 6: negative at a maximum, positive at a minimum.
Answer: S = 1200 cm²
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.
S″(x) = 2 + 32000/x³ > 0, so this is a minimum.
The best open box is half as tall as it is wide.
Answer: R = 5445 €
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.
R″(p) = −40 < 0, so this is a maximum.
Answer: I = 0.4024
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.
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.
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