AP CALCULUS AB and BC

Final Notes

Trigonometric Formulas
1. sin θ + cos θ = 1
2 2
sin θ 1
13. tan θ = =
2. 1 + tan 2 θ = sec 2 θ cosθ cot θ
1 + cot 2 θ = csc 2 θ cosθ 1
14. cot θ =
3.
=
4. sin( −θ ) = − sin θ sin θ tan θ
5. cos(−θ ) = cosθ 1
15. secθ =
6. tan(−θ ) = − tan θ cosθ
7. sin( A + B ) = sin A cos B + sin B cos A 16. cscθ =
1
8. sin( A − B ) = sin A cos B − sin B cos A sin θ
cos( A + B ) = cos A cos B − sin A sin B 1
9.
θ
17. cos =
2
(1 + cos 2θ )
2
10. cos( A − B ) = cos A cos B + sin A sin B
1
11. sin 2θ = 2 sin θ cos θ
θ
18. sin =
2
(1 − cos 2θ )
2
12. cos 2θ = cos 2 θ − sin 2 θ = 2 cos 2 θ − 1 = 1 − 2sin 2 θ

Differentiation Formulas

d n d x
1. ( x ) = nx n −1 11. (e ) = e x
dx dx
d d x
2. ( fg ) = fg ′ + gf ′ Product rule 12. (a ) = a x ln a
dx dx
d f gf ′ − fg ′ d 1
3. ( )= Quotient rule 13. (ln x) =
dx g g2 dx x
d d 1
4. f ( g ( x)) = f ′( g ( x)) g ′( x) Chain rule 14. ( Arc sin x) =
dx dx 1− x2
d d 1
5. (sin x) = cos x 15. ( Arc tan x) =
dx dx 1+ x2
d d 1
6. (cos x) = − sin x 16. ( Arc sec x) =
dx dx | x | x2 −1
d
(tan x) = sec 2 x d
7.
dx 17. [c] = 0
dx
d
8. (cot x) = − csc 2 x
dx d
cf ( x )  = cf ' ( x )
dx 
18.
d
9. (sec x) = sec x tan x
dx
d
10. (csc x) = − csc x cot x
dx
 Integration Formulas

1. ∫ a dx = ax + C
x n +1
∫ x dx = + C , n ≠ −1
n
2.
n +1
1
3. ∫ x dx = ln x + C
∫ e dx = e + C
x x
4.

ax
∫ a dx = +C
x
5.
ln a
6. ∫ ln x dx = x ln x − x + C
7. ∫ sin x dx = − cos x + C
8. ∫ cos x dx = sin x + C
9. ∫ tan x dx = ln sec x + C or − ln cos x + C
10. ∫ cot x dx = ln sin x + C
11. ∫ sec x dx = ln sec x + tan x + C
12. ∫ csc x dx = − ln csc x + cot x + C

∫ sec x d x = tan x + C
2
13.

14. ∫ sec x tan x dx = sec x + C

∫ csc x dx = − cot x + C
2
15.

16. ∫ csc x cot x dx = − csc x + C

∫ tan x dx = tan x − x + C
2
17.

dx 1  x
18. ∫a 2
+x 2
= Arc tan  + C
a a
dx  x
19. ∫ a2 − x2
= Arc sin   + C
a
dx 1 x 1 a
20. ∫x x2 − a2
=
a
Arc sec + C = Arc cos + C
a a x
 Formulas and Theorems
1. Limits and Continuity:
A function y = f (x) is continuous at x = a if
i). f(a) exists
ii). lim f ( x ) exists
x→a

iii). lim f ( x ) = f (a )
x→a
Otherwise, f is discontinuous at x = a.
The limit lim f ( x ) exists if and only if both corresponding one-sided limits exist and are equal –
x →a
that is,
lim f ( x ) =
L → lim+ f ( x ) =lim− f ( x )
L=
x →a x →a x →a
2. Even and Odd Functions
1. A function y = f (x) is even if f ( − x) = f ( x) for every x in the function’s domain.
Every even function is symmetric about the y-axis.
2. A function y = f (x) is odd if f ( − x ) = − f ( x ) for every x in the function’s domain.
Every odd function is symmetric about the origin.
3. Periodicity
A function f (x ) is periodic with period p ( p > 0) if f ( x + p ) = f ( x) for every value of x
.
2π
Note: The period of the function y = A sin( Bx + C ) or y = A cos( Bx + C ) is .
B
The amplitude is A . The period of y = tan x is π .
4. Intermediate-Value Theorem
A function y = f (x) that is continuous on a closed interval [a, b] takes on every value
between f ( a ) and f (b) .
Note: If f is continuous on [a, b] and f (a ) and f (b) differ in sign, then the equation
f ( x) = 0 has at least one solution in the open interval (a, b) .
5. Limits of Rational Functions as x → ±∞
f ( x)
i). lim = 0 if the degree of f ( x) < the degree of g ( x)
x →±∞ g ( x )

x2 − 2 x
Example: lim =0
x3 + 3
x →∞

f ( x)
ii). lim is infinite if the degrees of f ( x) > the degree of g ( x)
x → ±∞ g ( x )

x3 + 2 x
Example: lim = ∞
x2 − 8
x →∞

f ( x)
iii). lim is finite if the degree of f ( x) = the degree of g ( x)
x → ±∞ g ( x )

2 x2 − 3x + 2 2
Example: lim = −
10 x − 5 x 2
x →∞ 5
6. Horizontal and Vertical Asymptotes
1. A line y = b is a horizontal asymptote of the graph y = f (x) if either
=
lim f ( x) b=
or lim f ( x) b .(Compare degrees of functions in fraction)
x →∞ x →−∞
2. A line x = a is a vertical asymptote of the graph y = f (x) if either
lim+ f ( x) = ±∞ or lim− f ( x ) = ±∞ (Values that make the denominator 0 but not
x→a x→a
numerator)
7. Average and Instantaneous Rate of Change
i). Average Rate of Change: If ( x0 , y0 ) and ( x1 , y1 ) are points on the graph of
y = f (x) , then the average rate of change of y with respect to x over the interval

[x0 , x1 ] is f ( x1 ) − f ( x0 ) = y1 − y 0 = ∆y .
x1 − x0 x1 − x0 ∆x
ii). Instantaneous Rate of Change: If (x0 , y 0 ) is a point on the graph of y = f (x) , then
the instantaneous rate of change of y with respect to x at x0 is f ′( x0 ) .
8. Definition of Derivative
f ( x + h) − f ( x ) f ( x ) − f (a )
f ′( x) = lim or f ' ( a ) = lim
h →0 h x →a x −a
The latter definition of the derivative is the instantaneous rate of change of f ( x ) with respect to
x at x = a.
Geometrically, the derivative of a function at a point is the slope of the tangent line to the graph of
the function at that point.
9. The Number e as a limit
n
 1
i). lim 1 +  =
e
n →∞
 n
lim (1 + n ) =
1/ n
ii). e
n →0
10. Rolle’s Theorem (this is a weak version of the MVT)
[ ]
If f is continuous on a, b and differentiable on (a, b ) such that
f (a ) = f (b) , then there
is at least one number c in the open interval (a, b ) such that f ′(c) = 0 .
11. Mean Value Theorem
If f is continuous on [a, b] and differentiable on (a, b ) , then there is at least one number c
f (b) − f (a )
in (a, b ) such that = f ′(c) .
b−a
12. Extreme-Value Theorem
If f is continuous on a closed interval [a, b] , then f (x) has both a maximum and minimum
on [a, b] .
13. Absolute Mins and Maxs: To find the maximum and minimum values of a function y = f (x) ,
locate
1. the points where f ′(x) is zero or where f ′(x) fails to exist.
2. the end points, if any, on the domain of f (x) .
3. Plug those values into f (x) to see which gives you the max and which gives you this
min values (the x-value is where that value occurs)
Note: These are the only candidates for the value of x where f (x) may have a maximum or a
minimum.
14. Increasing and Decreasing: Let f be differentiable for a < x < b and continuous for a
a ≤ x ≤ b,
1. If f ′( x) > 0 for every x in (a, b ) , then f is increasing on [a, b] .
2. If f ′( x) < 0 for every x in (a, b ) , then f is decreasing on [a, b ] .
15. Concavity: Suppose that f ′′(x) exists on the interval (a, b )
1. If f ′′( x) > 0 in (a, b ) , then f is concave upward in (a, b ) .
2. If f ′′( x) < 0 in (a, b ) , then f is concave downward in (a, b ) .
To locate the points of inflection of y = f (x) , find the points where f ′′( x ) = 0 or where
f ′′(x) fails to exist. These are the only candidates where f (x) may have a point of inflection.
Then test these points to make sure that f ′′( x) < 0 on one side and f ′′( x) > 0 on the other.

16a. If a function is differentiable at point x = a , it is continuous at that point. The converse is false,
in other words, continuity does not imply differentiability.

16b. Local Linearity and Linear Approximations

The linear approximation to f (x ) near x = x0 is given by y = f ( x0 ) + f ′( x0 )( x − x0 ) for
x sufficiently close to x0 . In other words, find the equation of the tangent line at ( x0 , f ( x0 ) )
and use that equation to approximate the value at the value you need an estimate for.

17. ***Dominance and Comparison of Rates of Change (BC topic only)

Logarithm functions grow slower than any power function ( x n ) .

Among power functions, those with higher powers grow faster than those with lower powers.

All power functions grow slower than any exponential function ( a x , a > 1) .

Among exponential functions, those with larger bases grow faster than those with smaller bases.

We say, that as x → ∞ :
f (x) g(x)
1. f ( x ) grows faster than g ( x ) if lim = ∞ or if lim = 0.
x →∞ g(x) x →∞ f (x)
If f ( x ) grows faster than g ( x ) as x → ∞ , then g ( x ) grows slower than f ( x ) as
x→∞.
f (x)
2. f ( x ) and g ( x ) grow at the same rate as x → ∞ if lim = L ≠ 0 (L is finite
x →∞ g(x)
and nonzero).
For example,
ex
1. e x grows faster than x 3 as x → ∞ since lim = ∞
x →∞ x 3

x4
2. x 4 grows faster than ln x as x → ∞ since lim = ∞
x →∞ ln x

x 2 + 2x
3. x 2 + 2x grows at the same rate as x 2 as x → ∞ since lim =1
x →∞ x2
To find some of these limits as x → ∞ , you may use the graphing calculator. Make sure that an
appropriate viewing window is used.
18. ***L’Hôpital’s Rule (BC topic, but useful for AB)
f ( x) 0 ∞ f ′( x)
If lim is of the form or , and if lim exists, then
x→a g ( x) 0 ∞ x → a g ′( x )

f ( x) f ′( x)
lim = lim .
x→a g ( x) x → a g ′( x )

19. Inverse function

1. If f and g are two functions such that f ( g ( x)) = x for every x in the domain of
g and g ( f ( x)) = x for every x in the domain of f , then f and g are inverse
functions of each other.
2. A function f has an inverse if and only if no horizontal line intersects its graph more
than once.
3. If f is strictly either increasing or decreasing in an interval, then f has an inverse.
4. If f is differentiable at every point on an interval I , and f ′( x) ≠ 0 on I , then
−1
g= f ( x) is differentiable at every point of the interior of the interval f (I ) and if
the point ( a, b ) is on f ( x ) , then the point ( b, a ) is on g= f −1
( x) ; furthermore
1
g '(b) = .
f '(a)
20. Properties of y = e
x

1.
x
The exponential function y = e is the inverse function of y = ln x .
2. The domain is the set of all real numbers, − ∞ < x < ∞ .
3. The range is the set of all positive numbers, y > 0 .

4.
d x
dx
(e ) = e x and
d f ( x)
dx
e ( )
= f ' ( x ) e f ( x)
x x x + x2
5. e 1 ⋅e 2 = e 1
6. y = e x is continuous, increasing, and concave up for all x .
7. lim e x = +∞ and lim e x = 0 .
x →∞ x →−∞

8. e ln x = x , for x > 0; ln(e x ) = x for all x .

21. Properties of y = ln x
1. The domain of y = ln x is the set of all positive numbers, x > 0.
2. The range of y = ln x is the set of all real numbers, − ∞ < y < ∞ .
3. y = ln x is continuous and increasing everywhere on its domain.
4. ln (ab ) = ln a + ln b .
a
5. ln  = ln a − ln b .
b
6. ln a r = r ln a .
7. y = ln x < 0 if 0 < x < 1 .
8. lim ln x = +∞ and lim ln x = −∞ .
x → +∞ x → 0+
ln x
9. log a x =
ln a
 f '( x)
10.
d
dx
( ln f ( x ) ) =
f ( x)
and
d
dx
( ln ( x ) ) =
1
x

22. Trapezoidal Rule

If a function f is continuous on the closed interval [a, b] where [a, b] has been equally
partitioned into [x0 , x1 ], [x1, x2 ], ...[xn − 1, xn ] , each length b −n a , then
n subintervals

∫ f ( x) dx ≈ 2n [ f ( x0 ) + 2 f ( x1 ) + 2 f ( x2 ) + ... + 2 f ( xn − 1 ) + f ( xn )], which is

b
b−a
a
1
equivalent to ( Leftsum + Rightsum )
2
23a. Definition of Definite Integral as the Limit of a Sum
Suppose that a function f (x) is continuous on the closed interval [a, b] . Divide the interval into
b−a
n equal subintervals, of length ∆x = . Choose one number in each subinterval, in other
n
words, x in the first, x in the second, …, x in the k th ,…, and x in the n th . Then
1 2 k n
n b
lim ∑ f ( xk ) ∆=
x ∫ f ( x ) dx
= F (b) − F (a ) .
n →∞
k =1 a

23b. Properties of the Definite Integral

Let f (x ) and g (x ) be continuous on [a, b] .
b b
i). ∫
a
c ⋅ f ( x ) dx = c ∫ f ( x) dx for any constant c .
a
a
ii). ∫ f ( x) dx = 0
a
b a
iii). ∫ f (x) dx = − ∫ f (x) dx
a b
b c b
iv). ∫ f ( x) dx = ∫ f ( x) dx + ∫ f ( x) dx , where f is continuous on an interval
a a c
containing the numbers a, b, and c .
a
v). If f (x) is an odd function, then ∫ f ( x) dx = 0
−a
a a
vi). If f (x ) is an even function, then ∫ f ( x) dx = 2 ∫ f ( x ) dx
−a 0
b
vii). If f ( x) ≥ 0 on [a, b ] , then ∫ f ( x ) dx ≥ 0
a
b b
viii). If g ( x) ≥ f ( x) on [a, b ] , then ∫ g ( x) dx ≥ ∫ f ( x) dx
a a
24. Fundamental Theorem of Calculus:
b b
d
∫
a
f ( x) dx = F (b) − F (a ), where F ′( x) = f ( x), or
dx a∫
f ( x) dx = f ( x) .

25. Second Fundamental Theorem of Calculus (Steve’s Theorem):

x g( x )

f (t) dt g ' ( x ) f (g ( x )) − h ' ( x ) f ( h ( x ) )

d d
dx a∫ dx h (∫x )
f (t) dt = f (x) or =

26. Velocity, Speed, and Acceleration

1. The velocity of an object tells how fast it is going and in which direction. Velocity is an
instantaneous rate of change. If velocity is positive (graphically above the “x”-axis), then the
object is moving away from its point of origin. If velocity is negative (graphically below the
“x”-axis), then the object is moving back towards its point of origin. If velocity is 0
(graphically the point(s) where it hits the “x”-axis), then the object is not moving at that time.
2. The speed of an object is the absolute value of the velocity, v ( t ) . It tells how fast it is going
disregarding its direction.
The speed of a particle increases (speeds up) when the velocity and acceleration have the same
signs. The speed decreases (slows down) when the velocity and acceleration have opposite
signs.
3. The acceleration is the instantaneous rate of change of velocity – it is the derivative of the
velocity – that is, a ( t ) = v ' ( t ) . Negative acceleration (deceleration) means that the velocity is
decreasing (i.e. the velocity graph would be going down at that time), and vice-versa for
acceleration increasing. The acceleration gives the rate at which the velocity is changing.

Therefore, if x is the displacement of a moving object and t is time, then:

dx
i) velocity = = v ( t ) x= '( t )
dt
dv d 2 x
ii) acceleration = a (= t ) x '' (=t ) v ' (=
t) =
dt dt 2
iii) v ( t ) = ∫ a ( t ) dt

iv) x ( t ) = ∫ v ( t ) dt

Note: The average velocity of a particle over the time interval from t 0 to another time t, is
Change in position s ( t ) − s ( t 0 )
Average Velocity = = , where s ( t ) is the position of the particle
Length of time t − t0
b
1
v ( t ) dt if given the velocity function.
b − a ∫a
at time t or

b
The average value of f (x) on [a, b ] is
1
b − a a∫
27. f ( x) dx .

28. Area Between Curves

If f and g are continuous functions such that f ( x) ≥ g ( x) on [a, b] , then area between the
b b d
curves is ∫ [ f ( x) − g ( x)] dx or ∫ [top − bottom] dx or ∫ [right − left ]dy .
a a c
29. ***Integration By “Parts”
If u = f (x) and v = g (x ) and if f ′(x) and g ′(x ) are continuous, then

∫ u dx = uv − ∫ v du .
Note: The goal of the procedure is to choose u and dv so that ∫ v du is easier to solve
than the original problem.
Suggestion:
When “choosing” u , remember L.I.A.T.E, where L is the logarithmic function, I is an
inverse trigonometric function, A is an algebraic function, T is a trigonometric function, and E is
the exponential function. Just choose u as the first expression in L.I.A.T.E (and dv will be the
remaining part of the integrand). For example, when integrating ∫ x ln x dx , choose u = ln x
since L comes first in L.I.A.T.E, and dv = x dx . When integrating ∫ xe x dx , choose u = x
, sincex is an algebraic function, and A comes before E in L.I.A.T.E, and dv = e x dx . One
more example, when integrating ∫ x Arc tan( x) dx , let u = Arc tan(x) , since I comes before
A in L.I.A.T.E, and dv = x dx .
30. Volume of Solids of Revolution (rectangles drawn perpendicular to the axis of revolution)
• Revolving around a horizontal line (y=# or x-axis) where a ≤ x ≤ b :
Axis of Revolution and the region being revolved:
b
=V π ∫ ( furthest from a.r. − a.r.) − ( closest to a.r. − a.r.) dx
2 2

a
• Revolving around a vertical line (x=# or y-axis) where c ≤ y ≤ d (or use Shell Method):
Axis of Revolution and the region being revolved:
d
=V π ∫ ( furthest from a.r. − a.r.) − ( closest to a.r. − a.r.) dy
2 2

30b. Volume of Solids with Known Cross Sections

b
1. For cross sections of area A(x ) , taken perpendicular to the x-axis, volume = ∫ A( x) dx .
a
Cross-sections {if only one function is used then just use that function, if it is between two functions use
top-bottom if perpendicular to the x-axis or right-left if perpendicular to the y-axis} mostly all the same
only varying by a constant, with the only exception being the rectangular cross-sections:
• Square cross-sections:
b
= ∫ ( top function − bottom function )
2
V dx
a
• Equilateral cross-sections:
b
3
= ∫ ( top function − bottom function ) dx
2
V
4 a
• Isosceles Right Triangle cross-sections (hypotenuse in the xy plane):
b
1
= ∫ ( top function − bottom function ) dx
2
V
4a
 • Isosceles Right Triangle cross-sections (leg in the xy plane):
b
1
= ∫ ( top function − bottom function ) dx
2
V
2a
• Semi-circular cross-sections:
π b

( top function − bottom function )

8∫
=
2
V dx
a
• Rectangular cross-sections (height function or value must be given or articulated
somehow – notice no “square” on the {top – bottom} part):
b
=V ∫ ( top function − bottom function )(height function / value)dx
a
• Circular cross-sections with the diameter in the xy plane:
π b

( top function − bottom function )

4∫
=
2
V dx
a
• Square cross-sections with the diagonal in the xy plane:
b
1
= ∫ ( top function − bottom function ) dx
2
V
2a
b
2. For cross sections of area A( y ) , taken perpendicular to the y-axis, volume = ∫ A( y) dy .
a
30c. ***Shell Method (used if function is in terms of x and revolving around a vertical line) where
a≤ x≤b:
b
V = 2π ∫ r ( x)h( x)dx
a

=r ( x) x= if a.r. is y-axis (x 0)
r ( x=
) ( x − a.r.) if a.r. is to the left of the region
r=( x) (a.r. − x) if a.r. is to the right of the region
h( x) = f ( x) if only revolving with one function
h=
( x) ( top − bottom ) if revolving the region between two functions
31. Solving Differential Equations: Graphically and Numerically
Slope Fields
dy
At every point ( x, y ) a differential equation of the form = f ( x, y ) gives the slope of the
dx
member of the family of solutions that contains that point. A slope field is a graphical
representation of this family of curves. At each point in the plane, a short segment is drawn whose
slope is equal to the value of the derivative at that point. These segments are tangent to the
solution’s graph at the point.

The slope field allows you to sketch the graph of the solution curve even though you do not have
its equation. This is done by starting at any point (usually the point given by the initial condition),
and moving from one point to the next in the direction indicated by the segments of the slope field.

Some calculators have built in operations for drawing slope fields; for calculators without this
feature there are programs available for drawing them.