AP Calculus BC : Derivative as a Function

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Calculus BC

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Example Questions

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Example Question #1 : The Mean Value Theorem

Let  on the interval . Find a value for the number(s) that satisfies the mean value theorem for this function and interval.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The mean value theorem states that for a planar arc passing through a starting and endpoint , there exists at a minimum one point, , within the interval  for which a line tangent to the curve at this point is parallel to the secant passing through the starting and end points.

Meanvaluetheorem

In other words, if one were to draw a straight line through these start and end points, one could find a point on the curve where the tangent would have the same slope as this line.

Note that the value of the derivative of a function at a point is the function's slope at that point; i.e. the slope of the tangent at said point.

First, find the two function values of  on the interval 

Then take the difference of the two and divide by the interval.

 

Now find the derivative of the function; this will be solved for the value(s) found above.

Since the interval is  satisfies the MVT.

 

Example Question #1 : The Mean Value Theorem

Let  on the interval . Find a value for the number(s) that satisfies the mean value theorem for this function and interval.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The mean value theorem states that for a planar arc passing through a starting and endpoint , there exists at a minimum one point, , within the interval  for which a line tangent to the curve at this point is parallel to the secant passing through the starting and end points.

Meanvaluetheorem

In other words, if one were to draw a straight line through these start and end points, one could find a point on the curve where the tangent would have the same slope as this line.

Note that the value of the derivative of a function at a point is the function's slope at that point; i.e. the slope of the tangent at said point.

First, find the two function values of  on the interval 

 

Then take the difference of the two and divide by the interval.

 

Now find the derivative of the function; this will be solved for the value(s) found above.

Multiple solutions will solve this function, but on the interval , only  fits within, satisfying the MVT.

Example Question #1 : The Mean Value Theorem

Let  on the interval . Find a value for the number(s) that satisfies the mean value theorem for this function and interval.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The mean value theorem states that for a planar arc passing through a starting and endpoint , there exists at a minimum one point, , within the interval  for which a line tangent to the curve at this point is parallel to the secant passing through the starting and end points.

Meanvaluetheorem

In other words, if one were to draw a straight line through these start and end points, one could find a point on the curve where the tangent would have the same slope as this line.

Note that the value of the derivative of a function at a point is the function's slope at that point; i.e. the slope of the tangent at said point.

First, find the two function values of  on the interval 

Then take the difference of the two and divide by the interval.

Now find the derivative of the function; this will be solved for the value(s) found above.

 which falls within the interval , satisfying the MVT.

Example Question #4 : The Mean Value Theorem

Let  on the interval . Find a value for the number(s) that satisfies the mean value theorem for this function and interval.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The mean value theorem states that for a planar arc passing through a starting and endpoint , there exists at a minimum one point, , within the interval  for which a line tangent to the curve at this point is parallel to the secant passing through the starting and end points.

Meanvaluetheorem

In other words, if one were to draw a straight line through these start and end points, one could find a point on the curve where the tangent would have the same slope as this line.

Note that the value of the derivative of a function at a point is the function's slope at that point; i.e. the slope of the tangent at said point.

First, find the two function values of  on the interval 

Then take the difference of the two and divide by the interval.

Now find the derivative of the function; this will be solved for the value(s) found above.

, which falls between , satisfying the MVT.

 

Example Question #5 : The Mean Value Theorem

Let  on the interval . Find a value for the number(s) that satisfies the mean value theorem for this function and interval.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The mean value theorem states that for a planar arc passing through a starting and endpoint , there exists at a minimum one point, , within the interval  for which a line tangent to the curve at this point is parallel to the secant passing through the starting and end points.

Meanvaluetheorem

In other words, if one were to draw a straight line through these start and end points, one could find a point on the curve where the tangent would have the same slope as this line.

Note that the value of the derivative of a function at a point is the function's slope at that point; i.e. the slope of the tangent at said point.

First, find the two function values of  on the interval 

Then take the difference of the two and divide by the interval.

Now find the derivative of the function; this will be solved for the value(s) found above.

 which falls within the interval  satisfying the mean value theorem.

Example Question #1 : The Mean Value Theorem

Let  on the interval . Find a value for the number(s) that satisfies the mean value theorem for this function and interval.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The mean value theorem states that for a planar arc passing through a starting and endpoint , there exists at a minimum one point, , within the interval  for which a line tangent to the curve at this point is parallel to the secant passing through the starting and end points.

Meanvaluetheorem

In other words, if one were to draw a straight line through these start and end points, one could find a point on the curve where the tangent would have the same slope as this line.

Note that the value of the derivative of a function at a point is the function's slope at that point; i.e. the slope of the tangent at said point.

First, find the two function values of  on the interval 

Then take the difference of the two and divide by the interval.

 

Now find the derivative of the function; this will be solved for the value(s) found above.

, which falls within the interval , satisfying the MVT.

Example Question #7 : The Mean Value Theorem

Let  on the interval . Find a value for the number(s) that satisfies the mean value theorem for this function and interval.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The mean value theorem states that for a planar arc passing through a starting and endpoint , there exists at a minimum one point, , within the interval  for which a line tangent to the curve at this point is parallel to the secant passing through the starting and end points.

Meanvaluetheorem

In other words, if one were to draw a straight line through these start and end points, one could find a point on the curve where the tangent would have the same slope as this line.

Note that the value of the derivative of a function at a point is the function's slope at that point; i.e. the slope of the tangent at said point.

First, find the two function values of  on the interval 

Then take the difference of the two and divide by the interval.

Now find the derivative of the function; this will be solved for the value(s) found above.

There are multiple solutions; within the interval  satisfies the mean value theorem.

Example Question #8 : The Mean Value Theorem

Let  on the interval . Find a value for the number(s) that satisfies the mean value theorem for this function and interval.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The mean value theorem states that for a planar arc passing through a starting and endpoint , there exists at a minimum one point, , within the interval  for which a line tangent to the curve at this point is parallel to the secant passing through the starting and end points.

Meanvaluetheorem

In other words, if one were to draw a straight line through these start and end points, one could find a point on the curve where the tangent would have the same slope as this line.

Note that the value of the derivative of a function at a point is the function's slope at that point; i.e. the slope of the tangent at said point.

First, find the two function values of  on the interval 

Then take the difference of the two and divide by the interval.

Now find the derivative of the function; this will be solved for the value(s) found above.

This solution falls within , validating the mean value theorem.

Example Question #9 : The Mean Value Theorem

Let  on the interval . Find a value for the number(s) that satisfies the mean value theorem for this function and interval.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The mean value theorem states that for a planar arc passing through a starting and endpoint , there exists at a minimum one point, , within the interval  for which a line tangent to the curve at this point is parallel to the secant passing through the starting and end points.

Meanvaluetheorem

In other words, if one were to draw a straight line through these start and end points, one could find a point on the curve where the tangent would have the same slope as this line.

Note that the value of the derivative of a function at a point is the function's slope at that point; i.e. the slope of the tangent at said point.

First, find the two function values of  on the interval 

Then take the difference of the two and divide by the interval.

Now find the derivative of the function; this will be solved for the value(s) found above.

 

Derivative of an exponential: 

Derivative of a natural log: 

Product rule: 

Using a calculator, we find the solution , which fits within the interval , satisfying the mean value theorem.

Example Question #1 : Graphs Of F And F'

Assuming f(x) is continuous and differentiable for all values of x, what can be said about its graph at the point  if we know that  ?

Possible Answers:

f(x) is decreasing when 

f(x) is increasing when 

There is not sufficient information to describe f(x).

f(x) is concave up when 

Correct answer:

f(x) is increasing when 

Explanation:

Assuming f(x) is continuous and differentiable for all values of x, what can be said about its graph at the point  if we know that  ?

 

We are told about a first derivative and asked to consider the original function. Recall that anywhere the first derivative is negative, the original function is decreasing. Anywhere the first derivative is positive, the original function is increasing.

We are told that . In other words, the first derivative is positive.

This means our original function must be increasing.

f(x) is increasing when 

 

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