AP Calculus AB : Derivatives

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Calculus AB

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Example Questions

Example Question #294 : Computation Of The Derivative

Use the chain rule to differentiate the following function: 

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Correct answer:

Explanation:

By the chain rule: 

Differentiate  using the product rule: 

Substitute this derivative for  in the first equation: 

Factor the equation: 

 

Example Question #295 : Computation Of The Derivative

 

Find .

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 is undefined.

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Explanation:

 

 

Therefore:

 

 

 

Example Question #1 : Continunity As A Property Of Functions

Which of the following functions contains a removeable discontinuity?

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Correct answer:

Explanation:

A removeable discontinuity occurs whenever there is a hole in a graph that could be fixed (or "removed") by filling in a single point. Put another way, if there is a removeable discontinuity at , then the limit as  approaches  exists, but the value of  does not.

For example, the function f(x)=\frac{1+x^3}{1+x} contains a removeable discontinuity at . Notice that we could simplify as follows:

f(x)=\frac{1+x^3}{1+x}=\frac{(1+x)(x^2-x+1)}{1+x}=x^{2}-x+1, where x\neq -1.

Thus, we could say that \lim_{x\rightarrow -1}\frac{1+x^3}{1+x}=\lim_{x\rightarrow -1}x^2-x+1=(-1)^2-(-1)+1=3.

As we can see, the limit of  exists at , even though  is undefined.

What this means is that  will look just like the parabola with the equation x^{2}-x+1 EXCEPT when, where there will be a hole in the graph. However, if we were to just define , then we could essentially "remove" this discontinuity. Therefore, we can say that there is a removeable discontinuty at .

The functions 

, and

 

have discontinuities, but these discontinuities occur as vertical asymptotes, not holes, and thus are not considered removeable.

The functions

  and f(x)=\frac{x+1}{1+x^{2}} are continuous over all the real values of ; they have no discontinuities of any kind.

The answer is   

.

Example Question #1 : Approximate Rate Of Change From Graphs And Tables Of Values

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Example Question #1 : Approximate Rate Of Change From Graphs And Tables Of Values

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Example Question #1 : Approximate Rate Of Change From Graphs And Tables Of Values

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Example Question #2 : Approximate Rate Of Change From Graphs And Tables Of Values

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Example Question #4 : Approximate Rate Of Change From Graphs And Tables Of Values

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Example Question #5 : Approximate Rate Of Change From Graphs And Tables Of Values

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Example Question #6 : Approximate Rate Of Change From Graphs And Tables Of Values

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