Basic Calculus — 20 Questions
Instructions: Show complete solutions. Write the formula or rule used, substitute the given
values, simplify your answer, and include a short explanation where appropriate.
Part I — Limits
1. Evaluate the following limit:
[
\lim_{x\to 3}(2x^2-5x+4)
]
2. Evaluate:
[
\lim_{x\to 2}\frac{x^2-4}{x-2}
]
Show how you simplify the expression before evaluating the limit.
3. Find:
[
\lim_{x\to 0}\frac{\sin x}{x}
]
Explain the important trigonometric limit used in your solution.
4. Determine whether the function
[
f(x)=
\begin{cases}
x+2, & x<1\
5, & x=1\
2x+1, & x>1
\end{cases}
]
is continuous at (x=1). Show the left-hand limit, right-hand limit, and function value.
Part II — Derivatives
5. Using the power rule, find the derivative of:
[
f(x)=4x^5-3x^3+7x^2-8x+10
]
6. Find the derivative of:
[
y=(3x^2+2)(x^3-4x+1)
]
Use the product rule, and simplify your final answer.
7. Find the derivative of:
[
y=\frac{x^2+3}{x-1}
]
Use the quotient rule and simplify your answer.
8. Find the derivative of:
[
y=(2x^3-5x+1)^4
]
Use the chain rule. Clearly identify the inner and outer functions.
9. Find (f'(x)) if:
[
f(x)=\sqrt{x^2+4x+7}
]
Then evaluate (f'(2)).
Part III — Applications of Derivatives
10. The position of a moving object is given by:
[
s(t)=t^3-6t^2+9t+2
]
where (s) is measured in meters and (t) is measured in seconds.
Find:
a. The velocity function (v(t))
b. The acceleration function (a(t))
c. The velocity at (t=2) seconds
d. The acceleration at (t=2) seconds
11. Find the equation of the tangent line to:
[
f(x)=x^2+3x-4
]
at (x=2).
Show how you find the slope of the tangent line and the point of tangency.
12. A rectangular garden is to be built beside a straight river. The side along the river does not
need fencing. If 60 meters of fencing are available, find the dimensions of the garden that give
the maximum possible area.
Use calculus to justify your answer.
13. Find the critical points of:
[
f(x)=x^3-6x^2+9x+2
]
Then use the First Derivative Test to determine whether each critical point is a local maximum
or local minimum.
14. Determine the intervals where:
[
f(x)=x^3-3x^2-9x+5
]
is increasing and decreasing.
Show your derivative, critical numbers, and sign analysis.
Part IV — Integrals
15. Evaluate the indefinite integral:
[
\int(6x^4-8x^3+5x^2-7),dx
]
Show the integration rule used for each term.
16. Evaluate:
[
\int(3x^2+4x-5),dx
]
Then verify your answer by differentiating your result.
17. Evaluate the definite integral:
[
\int_1^4(2x+3),dx
]
Show all steps and explain how the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus is used.
18. Find the area under the curve:
[
y=x^2+2
]
from (x=0) to (x=3).
Set up the definite integral, evaluate it, and state the answer in square units.
Part V — Mixed Calculus Problems
19. The cost of producing (x) units of a product is:
[
C(x)=500+20x+0.05x^2
]
Find:
a. The marginal cost function (C'(x))
b. The marginal cost when (x=100)
c. The average cost function
[
A(x)=\frac{C(x)}{x}
]
d. Determine the number of units that minimizes the average cost.
Show all calculus steps.
20. A particle moves along a straight line with position:
[
s(t)=t^4-8t^3+18t^2+5
]
a. Find the velocity function.
b. Find the acceleration function.
c. Determine when the particle is at rest.
d. Determine the acceleration at each time when the particle is at rest.
e. Find the total distance traveled during (0\leq t\leq4).
f. Explain the difference between velocity and acceleration using this problem as an example.
Suggested way to make it fill 10 pages
For each question, write:
1. Given/Required
2. Formula or calculus rule
3. Step-by-step solution
4. Simplification
5. Final answer
6. Short explanation/check