AP Calculus – Final Review Sheet

When you see the words …. This is what you think of doing
1. Find the zeros Set function = 0, factor or use quadratic equation if
quadratic, graph to find zeros on calculator
2. Find equation of the line tangent to on Take derivative - and use
f ( x) f ′( a ) = m

[ a, b] y − y1 = m( x − x1 )
3. Find equation of the line normal to on Same as above but
f ( x) −1
m=
f ′( a )
[ a, b]
4. Show that is even Show that - symmetric to y-axis
f ( x) f ( − x) = f ( x)

5. Show that is odd Show that - symmetric to origin

f ( x) f ( − x) = − f ( x)

6. Find the interval where is increasing Find , set both numerator and denominator to
f ( x) f ′( x )
zero to find critical points, make sign chart of
f ′( x )
and determine where it is positive.
7. Find interval where the slope of is Find the derivative of , set both
f ( x) f ′( x ) = f ′′( x )
increasing numerator and denominator to zero to find critical
points, make sign chart of and determine
f ′′( x )
where it is positive.
8. Find the minimum value of a function Make a sign chart of , find all relative
f ′( x )
minimums and plug those values back into
f ( x)
and choose the smallest.
9. Find the minimum slope of a function Make a sign chart of the derivative of
f ′( x ) = f ′′( x )
, find all relative minimums and plug those values
back into and choose the smallest.
f ′( x )
10. Find critical values Express as a fraction and set both numerator
f ′( x )
and denominator equal to zero.
11. Find inflection points Express as a fraction and set both numerator
f ′′( x )
and denominator equal to zero. Make sign chart of
to find where changes sign. (+ to –
f ′′( x ) f ′′( x )
or – to +)
12. Show that exists Show that
lim f ( x ) lim f (x ) = lim+ f (x )
x→ a x →a − x →a

13. Show that is continuous Show that 1) exists (

f ( x) lim f ( x )
x→ a

)
lim f (x ) = lim+ f (x )
x →a − x →a

2) exists
f ( a)

3)
lim f ( x ) = f ( a )
x→a

14. Find vertical asymptotes of Do all factor/cancel of and set denominator =

f ( x) f ( x)
0

15. Find horizontal asymptotes of Find and

f ( x) lim f ( x ) lim f ( x )
x→∞ x → −∞

16. Find the average rate of change of on Find

f ( x) f ( b) − f ( a )
b−a
[ a, b]
17. Find instantaneous rate of change of at a Find
f ( x) f ′( a )
18. Find the average value of on Find
f ( x) [ a, b] b

∫ f ( x ) dx
a

b-a
19. Find the absolute maximum of on Make a sign chart of , find all relative
f ( x) [ a, b] f ′( x )
maximums and plug those values back into as
f ( x)
well as finding and and choose the
f ( a) f ( b)
largest.
20. Show that a piecewise function is differentiable First, be sure that the function is continuous at
. Take the derivative of each piece and show
at the point a where the function rule splits x=a
that

lim f ′( x ) = lim f ′( x )
x→a − x→a+

21. Given (position function), find Find

s( t ) v( t ) v ( t ) = s ′( t )
22. Given , find how far a particle travels on Find
v( t ) b

∫ v( t ) dt
[ a, b] a

23. Find the average velocity of a particle on Find

[ a, b] b

∫ v (t )dt s(b)− s(a )

a
=
b−a b−a
24. Given , determine if a particle is speeding Find and . Multiply their signs. If both
v( t ) v( k ) a( k )
up positive, the particle is speeding up, if different signs,
then the particle is slowing down.
at
t=k
25. Given and , find Plug in t = 0 to find C
v( t ) s( 0) s( t ) s(t )= ∫ v (t )dt + C
26. Show that Rolle’s Theorem holds on Show that f is continuous and differentiable on the
 interval. If , then find some c in
f (a )= f (b)
such that
[a, b] f ′(c)= 0.

27. Show that Mean Value Theorem holds on Show that f is continuous and differentiable on the
[ a, b] interval. Then find some c such that
f (b)− f (a )
f ′(c)= .
b−a
28. Find domain of Assume domain is . Restrictable domains:
f ( x) (−∞,∞)
denominators ≠ 0, square roots of only non negative
numbers, log or ln of only positive numbers.
29. Find range of on Use max/min techniques to rind relative max/mins.
f ( x) [ a, b] Then examine
f (a ), f (b)

30. Find range of on Use max/min techniques to rind relative max/mins.

f ( x) ( − ∞, ∞ ) Then examine .
lim f (x )
x →±∞

31. Find by definition

f (x + h )− f (x )
f ′( x ) f ′(x ) = lim or
h→0 h
f (x )− f (a )
f ′(x ) = lim
x →ax−a
32. Find derivative of inverse to at Interchange x with y. Solve for implicitly (in
f ( x) x=a dy
dx
terms of y). Plug your x value into the inverse relation
and solve for y. Finally, plug that y into your .
dy
dx
33. is increasing proportionally to translating to
y y dy y = Ce kt
= ky
dt
34. Find the line that divides the area under c b
x=c
∫ f ( x )dx = ∫ f ( x )dx
a c
on to two equal areas
f ( x) [ a, b]
35.
x
d
f ( t ) dt = 2nd FTC: Answer is
dx ∫a f ( x)
36.
u
d
dx
∫ f (t )dt 2nd FTC: Answer is
du
f (u)
a

dx
37. The rate of change of population is …
dP
= ...
dt
38. The line is tangent to at Two relationships are true. The two functions share the
y = mx + b f ( x) same slope ( ) and share the same y value
m = f ′( x )
( x1 , y1 ) at .
x1
39. Find area using left Reimann sums
A = base[ x 0 + x1 + x 2 + ... + x n −1 ]

40. Find area using right Reimann sums

A = base[ x1 + x 2 + x3 + ... + x n ]

41. Find area using midpoint rectangles
42. Find area using trapezoids
Typically done with a table of values. Be sure to use
only values that are given. If you are given 6 sets of
points, you can only do 3 midpoint rectangles.
base
A= [ x0 + 2 x1 + 2 x 2 + ... + 2 xn−1 + x n ]
2

This formula only works when the base is the same. If

not, you have to do individual trapezoids.
43. Solve the differential equation … Separate the variables – x on one side, y on the other.
The dx and dy must all be upstairs.
44. Meaning of The accumulation function – accumulated area under
x the function starting at some constant a and
∫ f ( t ) dt
a
f ( x)
ending at x.
45. Given a base, cross sections perpendicular to the The area between the curves typically is the base of
your square. So the volume is
x-axis are squares b

∫ ( base )dx
2

46. Find where the tangent line to is Write as a fraction. Set the numerator equal to
horizontal zero.

47. Find where the tangent line to is vertical Write as a fraction. Set the denominator equal
f ( x) f ′( x )
to zero.

48. Find the minimum acceleration given First find the acceleration . Then
v( t ) a ( t ) = v ′( t )
minimize the acceleration by examining .
a ′( t )
49. Approximate the value of by using the Find the equation of the tangent line to f using
f ( 0.1) where and the point
y − y1 = m( x − x1 ) m = f ′( 0 )
tangent line to f at is . Then plug in 0.1 into this line being
x=0 ( 0, f ( 0) )
sure to use an approximate sign.
( ≈)
50. Given the value of and the fact that the Usually, this problem contains an antiderivative you
F ( a) cannot take. Utilize the fact that if is the
F ( x)
anti-
antiderivative of f, then . So
derivative of f is F, find 1 b
F ( b) ∫ F ( x )dx = F ( b) − F ( a )
a

solve for using the calculator to find the

F ( b)
definite integral.
51. Find the derivative of
f ′( g ( x ) ) ⋅ g ′( x )
f ( g ( x) )

52. Given , find

b b

∫ f ( x ) dx ∫ [ f ( x ) + k ] dx b b b

a a
∫ [ f ( x ) + k ] dx = ∫ f ( x )dx + ∫ kdx
a a a

53. Given a picture of , find where is Make a sign chart of and determine where
f ′( x ) f ( x) f ′( x )
is positive.
increasing
f ′( x )
54. Given and , find the greatest distance Generate a sign chart of to find turning points.
v( t ) s( 0) v( t )
Then integrate using to find the
from the origin of a particle on
v( t ) s( 0 )
[ a, b]
constant to find . Finally, find s(all turning
s( t )
points) which will give you the distance from your
starting point. Adjust for the origin.
55. Given a water tank with g gallons initially being
filled at the rate of gallons/min and t2

F (t) g + ∫ ( F ( t ) − E ( t ) )dt
t
emptied
at the rate of gallons/min on , find
E(t ) [ t1 ,t 2 ]
a) the amount of water in the tank at m minutes
56. b) the rate the water amount is changing at m m
d
( F ( t ) − E ( t ) )dt = F ( m ) − E ( m)
dt t∫

57. c) the time when the water is at a minimum =0, testing the endpoints as well.
F ( m) − E ( m)

58. Given a chart of x and on selected values Straddle c, using a value k greater than c and a value h
f ( x) less than c. so
f ( k ) − f ( h)
f ′( c ) ≈
between a and b, estimate where c is k −h
f ′( c )

between a and b.
59. Given , draw a slope field Use the given points and plug them into ,
dy dy
dx dx
drawing little lines with the indicated slopes at the
points.
60. Find the area between curves on , assuming that the f curve is
f ( x ), g ( x ) b
A = ∫ [ f ( x ) − g ( x ) ]dx
[ a, b] a

above the g curve.

61. Find the volume if the area between assuming that the f curve
f ( x), g ( x)
[ ]
b
A = ∫ ( f ( x ) ) − ( g ( x ) ) dx
2 2

is a

rotated about the x-axis is above the g curve.

BC Problems

62. Find if Use L’Hopital’s Rule.

f (x)
lim
x →∞ g(x)

lim f (x) = lim g(x) = 0

x →∞ x →∞

63. Find h
lim ∫ f (x )dx
∫
∞
f (x)   dx h→∞
0 0

64. or Signals logistic growth.

dP k dP
= P(M − P) lim =0⇒ M =P
dt M t →∞ dt
dP  P
= kP1− 
dt  M
65. Find where Factor denominator and use Heaviside partial fraction
dx technique.
∫x 2
+ ax + b

x 2 + ax + b
factors
66. The position vector of a particle moving
in the plane is
v(t ) = x ′(t ), y ′(t )
r(t ) = x(t ), y(t )
a) Find the velocity.
67. b) Find the acceleration.
a(t ) = x ′′(t ), y ′′(t )

68. c) Find the speed.

[x ′(t )] + [y ′(t )]
2 2
v(t ) =

69. a) Given the velocity vector

s(t ) = ∫ x (t )dt + ∫ y(t )dt + C
v(t ) = x(t ), y(t ) Use to find C, remembering it is a vector.

and position at time 0, find the position s(0)

vector.

70. b) When does the particle stop?

v(t ) = 0 → x (t )= 0 AND y (t )= 0
71. c) Find the slope of the tangent line to This is the acceleration vector at .
thevector at . t1
t1
72. Find the area inside the polar curve θ
1 2
[ ]
A = ∫ f (θ ) dθ
2
.
r = f (θ ) 2 θ1

73. Find the slope of the tangent line to the

dy
polar curve .
dy dθ
r = f (θ ) x = r cosθ , y = r sinθ ⇒ =
dx dx
dθ

74. Use Euler’s method to approximate

dy
given , , dy =
dx
(∆x ), ynew = yold + dy
f (1.2) dy (x 0 , y 0 ) = (1,1)
dx
and
∆x = 0.1
75. Is the Euler’s approximation an Look at sign of in the interval. This gives you
underestimate or an overestimate? dy d y 2
and
dx dx2
increasing.decreasing/concavity. Draw picture to ascertain
answer.
76. Find where a, n are integers Integration by parts,
∫xe n ax
dx ∫ u dv = uv − ∫ v du + C

77. Write a series for where n is an

x2 x 4 x6
n
x cosx cosx = 1− + − + ...
2! 4! 6!
integer
Multiply each term by
xn

78. Write a series for centered at Find Maclaurin polynomial:

ln(1+ x)
f ′′(0) f ′′′(0) f ( )(0)
n

. Pn (x ) = f (0)+ f ′(0)x + x +
2
x +…+
3
xn
2! 3! n!
x =0
79. converges if…..
1
∞
p >1
∑n p
n=1

80. If , Plug in and factor. This will be a geometric series:

find ∞
a
 1
f − 
∑ ar n
=
1− r
 2 n=0

81. Find the interval of convergence of a Use a test (usually the ratio) to find the interval and then test
series. convergence at the endpoints.

82. Let be the sum of the first 4 terms of This is the error for the 4th term of an alternating series which
S4 is simply the 5th term. It will be positive since you are looking
for an absolute value.
an alternating series for
f (x).
Approximate

f (x) − S4
83. Suppose . Write the You are being given a formula for the derivative of .
(n + 1)   n! f (x)
f (n ) (x) =
2n
f ′′(c) f ( )(c)
n
first four terms and the general term of a f (x ) = f (c)+ f ′(c)(x − c)+ (x − c) + … + (x − c)
2 n

series for centered at 2! n!

f (x) x=c
84. Given a Taylor series, find the Lagrange You need to determine the largest value of the 5th derivative of
form of the remainder for the nth term f at some value of z. Usually you are told this. Then:
where n is an integer at x = c.
f ( )(z)
n+1

Rn (x )= (x − c)
n+1

(n + 1) !

85.
2 3
f (x )= e x
x x
f (x )= 1+ x + + + ...
2! 3!

86.
f (x )= sin x
(−1) x + ...
n 2n+1
3 5
x x
f (x )= x − + + ... +
3! 5! (2n + 1) !
87.
f (x )= cosx
(−1) x + ...
n 2n
2 4 6
x x x
f (x )= 1− + − + ... +
2! 4! 6! (2n) !
88. Find where m and If m is odd and positive, save a sine and convert everything
else to cosine. The sine will be the du. If n is odd and positive,
∫ (sin x ) (cosx ) dx
m n
save a cosine and convert everything else to sine. The cosine
n will be the du. Otherwise use the fact that:
are integers 1− cos2x 1+ cos2x
sin2 x = and cos2 x =
2 2
89. Given
dy
dy
x = f (t ), y = g (t ), find dy dt
=
dx dx dx
dt
90. Given
d  dy 
d2y  
x = f (t ), y = g (t ), find d y d  dy  dt  dx 
2

dx2 =  =
dx2 dx  dx  dx
dt
91. Given , find arc length on b

∫ [ ]
1+ f ′(x ) dx
2
f (x ) [a, b] L=
a

92. , find arc length on

x = f (t ), y = g (t ) t2
 dx 2  dy 2
L= ∫   +   dt
 dt   dt 
t1

[t ,t ]
1 2

93. Find horizontal tangents to a polar curve x = r cosθ , y = r sinθ

Find where r sinθ = 0 where r cosθ ≠ 0
r = f (θ )

94. Find vertical tangents to a polar curve x = r cosθ , y = r sinθ

Find where r cosθ = 0 where r sin θ ≠ 0
r = f (θ )

95. Find the volume when the area between Shell method: where b is the root.
is rotated about b

y = f (x ), x = 0, y = 0 V = 2π ∫ radius ⋅ height dx
0

the
y-axis.
96. Given a set of points, estimate the volume
b−a
under the curve using Simpson’s rule on A≈
3n
[y0 + 4 y1 + 2 y2 + 4 y3 + 2 y4 + ... + 4 yn−1 + yn ]
.
[a, b]
97. Find the dot product:
u1 , u2 ⋅ v1 ,v2 = u1v1 + u2v2
u1 , u2 ⋅ v1 ,v2

98. Multiply two vectors: You get a scalar.