AP Calculus AB : Derivatives

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Calculus AB

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Example Questions

Example Question #71 : Ap Calculus Ab

Use the method of your choice to find the derivative.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The easiest way to find this derivative is to FOIL, and then use the power rule.

Example Question #72 : Ap Calculus Ab

Find the derivative.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Use the product rule to find this derivative.

Example Question #71 : Derivatives

Define 

Evaluate  and  so that  is both continuous and differentiable at .

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

For  to be continuous at , it must hold that 

.

To find , we can use the definition of  for all negative values of :

It must hold that  as well; using the definition of  for all positive values of :

.

Therefore, .

Now examine . For  to be differentiable, it must hold that 

To find , we can differentiate the expression for  for all negative values of :

Again, through straightforward substitution, 

To find , we can differentiate the expression for  for all positive values of :

Again, through substitution,

and .

Example Question #73 : Ap Calculus Ab

Find the derivative.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Use the power rule to find the derivative.

 

Thus, the derivative is 

Example Question #74 : Ap Calculus Ab

Find the derivative.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Use the quotient rule to find the derivative. 

Simplify.

Example Question #51 : Derivatives Of Functions

Find the first derivative of the function:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The derivative of the function is equal to

and was found using the following rules:

Example Question #77 : Derivatives

Given . Find .

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

First, find the first derivative.

You should get .

Next, differentiate again. 

You should get .

Finally, plug in x=2 to get .

Example Question #78 : Derivatives

The velocity profile of a fluid is given by

Determine the rate of change of the velocity of the fluid at any point.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To find the rate of change of the velocity of the fluid at any point, we must take the derivative of the function:

The derivative was found using the following rules:

Example Question #79 : Derivatives

Find :

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The derivative of the function is equal to

and was found using the following rules:

Note that the chain rule was used on the square root, the inner tangent function, and the function inside the secant. 

Example Question #80 : Derivatives

Find the derivative of the function:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The derivative of the function is equal to

and was found using the following rules:

Notice that the chain rule was used on the cosine squared function, the cosine function, and the function inside the sine function.

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