Calculus 1 : Equations

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Calculus 1

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Example Questions

Example Question #2451 : Calculus

Derivative Rules

What is the derivative power rule?

Possible Answers:

For positive integers n, 

For positive integers n,

For positive integers e, 

For positive integers n, 

For all integers n, 

Correct answer:

For positive integers n,

Explanation:
 \frac{d}{dx} x^n = nx^{n-1} , \qquad n \neq 0.

The power rule holds for all powers except for the constant value x^0

Example Question #371 : Equations

Find  given:

 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To solve, take the first derivative and evaluate at . Thus,

Example Question #1422 : Functions

Solve the initial value problem:   .

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The differential equation is in its correct form.

Solve for the integrating factor.

Multiply the integration factor throughout the entire equation.

The left side of the equation becomes  from the use of our integrating factor.  Rewrite the equation.

Integrate both sides.

Merge the constants.

Divide by  on both sides.

Substitute the initial condition  to solve for .

Resubstitute the constant.  The answer is:

Example Question #372 : Equations

Find  given:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To solve, simply find the first derivative and let . Thus,

Example Question #373 : Equations

In which interval(s) is  increasing?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

 is increasing when .

 

Example Question #122 : How To Find Solutions To Differential Equations

Find  given:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To solve, simply differentiate  and plug in . Thus,

Example Question #373 : Equations

Find the general solution to the following differential equation:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To solve the separable differential equation, we must separate the x and dx, y and dy terms, to opposite sides of the equation:

Now, integrate both sides to solve for y:

The following rules were used for integration:

Note that we combined the C's to make one constant of integration.

Finally, isolate y by itself:

Example Question #133 : Differential Equations

If , what does  equal?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

In order to find the derivative of a function using the Power Rule, mulitply the constant in front of the variable (x) by the current power that the variable is raised to, then decrease that power by 1. For example, the derivative of Axis equal to (n*A)xn-1. If there is no variable, and just a constant, then that constant will not be changing over time, and is the derivative (rate of change) will be equal to zero. 

Example Question #375 : Equations

A function  is given by the formula  

.

Which  values corresponds to the local maximum and local minimum of this function?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

In order to find the local maximum, the derivate of the function f(x) must be taken. This is because the derivative of f(x) gives the rate of change for f(x). When f(x) is approaching its maximum, it is increasing. When it reaches the maximum, it stays constant (at the very top before it being to decrease, there is a point where the slope of the tangent line is equal to zero). Directly after reaching the maximum, f(x) begins to decrease. Therefore, the local maximum can be found using the derivative and noting where f'(x) crosses the x-axis, known as the x-intercept. This point could be either a local maximum of minimum, depending on the slope of f'(x). If f'(x) is decreasing, it is approaching a local maximum, and if it is increasing, a local minimum.

Setting this equal to zero and solving using the quadratic formula:

 

This gives us x = -1.6 or x = 3.1. In order to determine if these indicate a local maximum of minimum, the second derivative will show if the slope is positive or negative at these points. If f''(x) is negative, it is a local maximum, if positive, it is a local minimum.

Therefore, the local maximum is located at x = -1.6.

 

 

Example Question #374 : Equations

The chain rule is used in order to take the derivative of more complicated functions by working from "the outside in".

A function  is given by the expression 

.

What is ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The function f(x) is given by . In order to take the derivative of such a complicated function, it must be taken in steps, by working from the "outside in", and taking the derivative of each piece along the way. Below illustrates each individual step needed to find the derivative of the sin function:

1)  This is the original sine function.

2)  The 2 exponent is brought to the front using the Power Rule.

3)  The derivative of sine is then taken and multiplied by the previous step.

3)  The derivative of the sine argument is taken and multiplied by the previous step.

Therefore, the derivative of   is equal to .

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