GRE Subject Test: Math : Derivatives & Integrals

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Subject Test: Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #3 : Implicit Differentiation

Differentiate the following to solve for .

Possible Answers:

 

Correct answer:

 

Explanation:

Our first step is to differentiate both sides with respect to :

The functions of  can by differentiated with respect to , just remember to multiply them by 

Example Question #4 : Implicit Differentiation

Differentiate the following with respect to .

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Our first step is to differentiate both sides with respect to :

Note: we can differentiate the terms that are functions of  with respect to , just remember to multiply it by .

Note: The product rule was applied above: 

Example Question #1 : Functions Of More Than Two Variables

Solve for :  

 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To solve for the partial derivative, let all other variables be constants besides the variable that is derived with respect to.

In , the terms  are constants.

Derive as accordingly by the differentiation rules.

 

 

Example Question #2 : Functions Of More Than Two Variables

Suppose the function .  Solve for .

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Identify all the constants in function .

Since we are solving for the partial differentiation of variable , all the other variables are constants.  Solve each term by differentiation rules.

Example Question #3 : Functions Of More Than Two Variables

Suppose the function .  Solve for .

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Identify all the constants in function .

Since we are solving for the partial differentiation of variable , all the other variables are constants.  Solve each term by differentiation rules.

Example Question #1 : Maximum & Minimum

Find the local maximum for the function .

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To find the local max, you must find the first derivative, which is .

Then. you need to set that equal to zero, so that you can find the critical points. The critical points are telling you where the slope is zero, and also clues you in to where the function is changing direction. When you set this derivative equal to zero and factor the function, you get , giving you two critical points at  and .

Then, you set up a number line and test the regions in between those points. To the left of -1, pick a test value and plug it into the derivative. I chose -2 and got a negative value (you don't need the specific number, but rather, if it's negative or positive). In between -1 and 1, I chose 0 and got a possitive value. To the right of 1, I chose 2 and got a negative value. Then, I examine my number line to see where my function was going from positive to negative because that is what yields a maximum (think about a function going upwards and then changing direction downwards). That is happening at x=1.

Example Question #2 : Maximum & Minimum

Find the local maximum of the function.

Possible Answers:

None of these

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When the derivative of a function is equal to zero, that means that the point is either a local maximum, local miniumum, or undefined. The derivative of  is . The derivative of the given function is 

We must now set it equal to zero and factor.

Now we must plug in points to the left and right of the critical points to determine which is the local maximum. 

This means the local maximum is at  because the function is increasing at numbers less than -2 and decreasing at number between -2 and 6

Example Question #3 : Maximum & Minimum

Find the local maximum of the function.

Possible Answers:

None of these

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The points where the derivative of a function are equal to 0 are called critical points. Critical points are either local maxs, local mins, or do not exist. The derivative of  is . The derivative of the function is

Now we must set it equal to 0 and factor to solve.

We must now plug in points to the left and right of the critical points into the derivative function to figure out which is the local max.

This means that the function is increasing until it hits x=-6, then it decreases until x=1, then it begins increasing again.

This means that x=-6 is the local max.

 

Example Question #4 : Maximum & Minimum

Find the  coordinate of the local maximum of the folowing function.

Possible Answers:

None of these

Correct answer:

Explanation:

At local maximums and minumims, the slope of the line tangent to the function is 0. To find the slope of the tangent line we must find the derivative of the function.

The derivative of  is . Thus the derivative of the function is 

To find maximums and minumums we set it equal to 0.

So the critical points are at x=1 and x=2. To figure out the maximum we must plug each into the original function.

So the local max is at x=1.

Example Question #1 : Maximum & Minimum

Find the minimum of the function: 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To find minimum take the derivative of the function and set it equal to zero.

Solve for x.

Plugging x back in the equation will allow us to find the y value that results in the minimum.

 

The graph has a minimum at y=-3/16

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