556: CE Board November 1997

x 2−1
Evaluate: lim
x→ 1 x 2+3 x−4

A. 1/5
B. 2/5
C. 3/5
D. 4/5

Solution:
x 2−1
lim
x→ 1 x 2+3 x−4

Substitute x=1:
(1)2 −1 0
lim 2
= , indeterminate
x→ 1 (1) +3(1)−4 0

Note: Using L’Hospital’s rule, differentiate separately the numerator and

denominator and substitute the value of limit to the variable.
2x
lim
x→ 1 2 x +3

2(1) 2
lim =
x→ 1 2 (1 )+3 5

557: ECE Board April 1998

(x−4)
lim
Evaluate: 2
x → 4 ( x −x−12)

A. Undefined
B. 0
C. Infinity
D. 1/7

Solution:
 (x−4)
lim 2
x → 4 (x −x−12)

Substitute x=4:
(4−4 ) 0
lim =
2
x → 4 (4 −4−12) 0 , Indeterminate

Apply L’Hospital’s rule & substitute x=4:

1
lim
x→4 2 x −1

1 1
lim =
x→4 2( 4)−1 7

558. ME Board April 1998

x 2−16
Evaluate: lim
x→4 x−4

A. 0
B. 1
C. 8
D. 16

Solution:
x 2−16
lim
x→4 x−4

Substitute x=4:
4 2−16 0
lim =
x→4 4−4 0 , Indeterminate

Apply L’Hospital’s rule & substitute x=4:

2x
lim =2 x
x→4 1

lim 2 ( 4 )=8
x→4
559: ECE Board April 1993
x 2−4
Evaluate: M =lim
x →2 x−2

A. 0
B. 2
C. 4
D. 6

Solution:
2
x −4
lim
x→ 2 x−2

Substitute x=2:
22−4 0
lim =
x→ 2 2−2 0 , Indeterminate

Apply L’Hospital’s rule & substitute x=2:

2x
lim =2 x
x→4 1

lim 2 ( 2 )=4
x→4

560: EE Board April 1995

1−cos x
lim
Evaluate: x→ 0 x2

A. 0
B. ½
C. 2
D. -1/2

Solution:
 1−cos x
lim 2
x→ 0 x

1−cos 0 0
lim =
x→ 0 0
2
0 , Indeterminate

Apply L’Hospital’s rule & substitute x=0:

sinx
lim
x→ 0 2x

sin 0 0
lim =
x→ 0 2(0) 0 , Indeterminate

Apply L’Hospital’s rule again:

cosx
lim
x→ 0 2

cos 0 1
lim =
x→ 0 2 2

561: ME Board October 1997

Compute the following limit:
x+ 4
lim
x→∞ x −4

A. 1
B. 0
C. 2
D. Infinite

Solution:
x+ 4
lim
x→∞ x −4

Substitute x=∞:
∞ +4 ∞
lim =
x→∞ ∞−4 ∞ , Indeterminate,
Apply L’Hospital’s rule & substitute x=∞:
1
lim =1
x→∞ 1

562: EE Board October 1994

3 x 4 −2 x 2 +7
lim
Evaluate: x → ∞ 5 x 3+ x −3

A. Undefined
B. 3/5
C. Infinity
D. Zero

Solution:
3 x 4 −2 x 2 +7
lim
x→∞ 5 x 3+ x −3

Substitute x=∞:
3 ∞ 4−2 ∞ 2 +7 ∞
lim =
3
x → ∞ 5 ∞ +∞−3 ∞ , Indeterminate

Apply L’Hospital’s rule and x=∞:

12 x 3−4 x
lim 2
x → ∞ 15 x + 1

12 ∞ 3−4 ∞ ∞
lim =
2
x → ∞ 15 ∞ + 1 ∞ , Indeterminate

Apply L’Hospital’s rule again:

36 x 2−4
lim
x→∞ 30 x

36 ∞ 2−4 ∞
lim =
x→∞ 30 ∞ ∞ , Indeterminate

Apply again L’Hospital’s rule:

 72 x 72 ∞
lim = =∞
x → ∞ 30 30

563: EE Board November 1991

lim ( x 2 +3 x−4 )
Evaluate: x →4

A. 24
B. 26
C. 28
D. 30

Solution:

lim ( x2 +3 x−4 )
⁡x→ 4

Substitute x=4:

lim ( 4 2+3 (4)−4 )

x→4

lim ¿ 24
x→4

564: ECE Board November 1994

πx
tan
2
Evaluate: lim (2−x )
x→ 1

A. e2π

2/ π
B. e

C. 0

D. ∞

Solution:
 πx
tan
2
lim (2−x )
x→ 1

Substitute x=1:
π (1) ∞
tan =1
2
lim (2−1) , Indeterminate
x→ 1

Take in both sides:

πx
tan
2
In lim ln (2−x )
x→ 1

(2−x )
ln ¿
In πx
lim tan ¿
x→ 1 2

ln(2−x )
¿
1
πx
tan
2

ln( 2−x)
lim
In x→ 1 πx
cot
2

Note:
du
D (lnu) = u and d (tan u) = -csc2 u du

Apply L’Hospital’s rule:

−1 −1
2−x 2−1
lim =
In x→ 1 πx π
cos 2 ( ) −csc 2 π (1 ) ( π )
2 2 2 2

−1 π
¿ =
−π 2
2

In Lim =2/π
Take exponential on both sides:
eln Lim=e2/π
Lim=e2/π
565: EE Board October 1997
x 2
Differentiate y=e cos x

A. – e x sin x 2 x

x 2−2 x sin x 2
B. cos ¿
ex ¿

C. e x cos x 2−2 x sin x2

x
D. −2 xe sin x

Solution:
y=ex cos x2
Note: d (uv) = udv + vdu
where:
u=ex; du=ex; v=cos x2; dv=-2x sinx2
y’=ex (-2x sinx2) + cos x2ex
y’=ex (cosx2-2x sin x2)
566: EE Board October 1997

Differentiate y=sec (x 2+ 2)

A. 2 x cos( x2 +2)

B. −cos ( x 2+2 ) cot (x 2+2)

C. 2 x sec(x 2 +2) tan(x 2+ 2)

2
D. cos( x +2)

Solution:
y=sec(x2+2)
Note: d sec u=sec u tan u du
Where: u=x2 + 2; du=2x
y’=sec(x2+2) tan(x2+2) (2x)
y’=2xsec(x2+2) tan(x2+2)

567: CE Board November 1994

3 3
What is the derivative with respect to x of (x+ 1) −x ?

A. 3x+6
B. 3x-3
C. 6x-3
D. 6x+3

Solution:
y=(x+1)3-x3
Note: d (u) n=nun-1du
y’=3(x+1)2-3(x) 2(1)
y’=3(x+1)2-3(x) 2
y’=3(x2+2x+1)-3x2
y’=3x2+6x+3-3x2
y’=6x+3
568: EE Board October 1997

Differentiate y=log 10( x 2 +1)2

x 2+1
A. 4 x¿

4 x log 10 e
B. 2
x +1

C. log e ( x ) ( x 2+ 1)

D. 2 x (x 2 +1)

Solution:
y=log 10( x 2 +1)2

du
Note: d (log10u) =log10e ( u )

where:
u=(x2+1)2
du=2(x2+1) (2x) =4x(x2+1)

'
y =log 10 e
[
4 x( x 2 +1)
( x 2 +1)2 ]
4 x log 10 e
y'=
x 2+ 1

569: EE Board October 1997

Differentiate (x 2+ 2)1 /2

2 1 /2
(x + 2)
A. 2
 x
B. 2
( x + 2)
1 /2

2x
C. 2
( x + 2)
1 /2

D. (x 2+ 2)3 /2

Solution:
2 1 /2
y= (x + 2)

Note: d (u) n=nun-1du

Where: n=1/2; u=x2+2; du=2x
1
1 2 2
−1
y’= 2 ( x +2 ) (2 x)

y’=x(x2+2)-1/2
x
y’= ( x 2+2)1/ 2

570: EE Board October 1997

dy
If y=(t 2 +2)2 and t=x
1/ 2
, determine dx .

3
A. 2

2
2 x +2x
B. 3

C. 2( x+ 2)

D. x 5/ 2+ x 1 /2

Solution:
 1/ 2
t=x →Eq.1

y=(t 2 +2)2 →Eq.2

Substitute Eq.1 in Eq.2:

2
y=[ (x 1/ 2)2+2 ]

y=(x+2)2
y’=2(x+2)

571: ME Board April 1997

x
What is the first derivative of the expression (xy) =e ?

A. 0
x
B. y

xy
1+ln ¿
C. ¿
¿
−y¿

xy
1−ln ¿
D. ¿
¿
−y¿

Solution:
(xy) x =e

Take in both sides:

ln (xy) x = ln e
x ln (xy) = 1
Note: d (uv) = udv + vdu
Differentiating both sides:
 [ ]
'
x y +y
x +lnxy ( 1 )=0
xy

xy’+ y + y ln xy = 0
xy’=-y – y ln xy
xy’= -y (1 + ln xy)
−y
y’= x (1 + ln xy)

572: ME Board April 1998

Find the derivative with respect to x the function √ 2−3 x 2

−2 x2
A. √2−3 x 2
−3 x
B. √2−3 x 2
−3 x2
C.
√2−3 x 2
3x
D. √2−3 x 2

Solution:

y=√ 2−3 x 2

du
d √u=
Note: 2√ u

Where: u=2-3x2; du=-6x

−6 x
y'=
2 √ 2−3 x 2

' −3 x
y=
√2−3 x 2
573: EE Board April 1995
Find y’ if y=arc sin cos x
A. -1
B. -2
C. 1
D. 2
Solution:
y=arc sin cos x
du
Note: d (sin-1u) = √1−u 2
Where: u=cos x; u2=cos2x; du=-sinx
−sinx −sin x
=
y’= √ 1−cos x √ sin 2 x
2

−sin x
y’ sin x

y’=-1

574: CE Board May 1997

Find the derivative of arc cos 4x.
−4
A. (1−16 x 2)0.5

4
B. (1−16 x 2)0.5

−4
C. (1−4 x 2)0.5

4
D. 2 0.5
(1−4 x )

Solution:
Y=cos-1 4x
−du
-1
Note: d (cos u) = √ 1−u 2

Where: u=4x; u2=16 x 2 ; du=4

' −4
y=
√1−16 x 2
 −4
y'= 0.5
( 1−16 x 2 )

575: CE Board November 1995

3
( x+ 1)
Find the derivative of x

3 3
( x+ 1) (x +1)
A. −
x x

2 3
4( x+1) 2(x +1)
B. −
x x

2( x+1)3 ( x+1)3
C. −
x x

2 3
3 (x+1) ( x+ 1)
D. −
x x

Solution:
3
(x +1)
y=
x

Note:
d ( uv )= vdu−udv
v
2

Where:
u=(x+1)3; du=3x(x+1)2
v=x; v2=x2; dv=1
2 3
x ( 3 ) ( x +1) −( x+1 ) (1)
y'= 2
x

3 x ( x +1)2 ( x+ 1 )3
'
y= −
x2 x2
 3(x+ 1)2 ( x +1 )3
'
y= −
x x2

576: ECE Board November 1991

x2
Differentiate the equation y=
x+ 1

x2 +2 x
A. ( x+ 1)2

x
B. x +1

C. 2x
2
2x
D. x +1

Solution:
x2
y=
x+ 1

d ( uv )= vdu−udv
v
2

Where:
u=x2; du=2x
v=x + 1; v2=(x+1)2; dv=1
( x +1 ) ( 2 x )−x 2 (1) 2 x 2+ 2 x−x 2
'
y= =
(x+ 1)2 ( x+1)2

2 x 2 +2 x−x 2
y'=
( x +1)2

x 2+2 x
y'= 2
(x +1)
577: CE Board November 1995
The derivative with respect to x of 2 cos 2(x2+2) is
A. 2sin (x2+2) cos (x2+2)
B. -2sin (x2+2) cos (x2+2)
C. 8xsin(x2+2) cos (x2+2)
D. -8x sin(x2+2) cos (x2+2)

Solution:
y=2 cos2(x2+2)
1+cos 2θ
Note: cos2Θ= 2

Simplifying:
y=2cos2(x2+2)

y= 2 [ 1+cos 2(x2 +2)

2 ]
2
y= 1+cos 2 ( x +2 )

2
y= 1+cos( 2 x +4)

Note: d (cos u) =-sin u du

Where: u=2x2 + 4; du = 4x
y’ = -sin (2x2+4) (4x)
y’=-4sin2(x2+2)
Note: sin 2Θ=2 cos Θ sin Θ
y’= -4x [2cos(x2+2) sin(x2+2)]
y’=-8x [cos(x2+2) sin(x2+2)]

578: CE Board November 1993

Find the second derivative of y by implicit differentiation from the equation
4x2+8y2=36.
A. 64x2
9 3
B.
– y
4
C. 32xy
−16 3
D.
y
9

Solution:
4x2+8y2=36
x2+2y2=9 → Eq. 1
Differentiate both sides:
2x + 4yy’=0
−2 x
y’= 4y

−x
y’= 2 y → Eq. 2

Take second derivative:

y’’= 2 [
−1 y ( 1 )−xy '
y2 ] → Eq. 3

Substitute Eq. 2 in Eq. 3:

y''=
−1
2 [ ] y (1 ) −x

y2
(−x
2y)

[ ]
x2
y+
−1 2y
y''=
2 y2

[ ]
2 2
−1 2 y + x
y ' '= 2
2y 2y

2 y 2+ x2
''
y =
4 y3

Substitute Eq. 1 in y’’:

 −9
y''= 3
4y

579: ME Board April 1998

Find the partial derivatives with respect to x of the function xy 2-5y+6.
A. y2-5
B. y2
C. xy-5y
D. 2xy

Solution:
∂
( x y 2−5 y +6 ) = y 2 ( 1 ) +0
∂x

∂
( x y 2−5 y +6 ) = y 2
∂x

580: ME Board October 1997

Find the second derivative of x3-5x2+x=0
A. 10x-5
B. 6x-10
C. 3x + 10
D. 3x2-5x

Solution:
y= x3-5x2+x
y’= 3x2-10x+1
y’’=6x-10

581: ME Board April 1998

Given the function f(x) =x to the 3rd power – 6x + 2. Find the first derivative at x =
2.
A. 6
B. 7
C. 3x2-5
D. 8

Solution:
y=x3-6x+2
Differentiate and substitute x = 2:
y’= 3x2-6
y’=3(2)2-6
y’=6

582: CE Board May 1996

Find the slope of the ellipse x2+4y2-10x-16y+5=0 at the point where y=2+80.5 and
x=7.
A. -0.1463
B. -0.1538
C. -0.1654
D. -0.1768

Solution:
x2+4y2-10x-16y+5=0
Note: slope = y’
As given: y=2 + 80.5 = 4.828, x=7
Differentiate & substitute x = 7 & y=4.828
2x+8yy’-10-16y’=0
y’ (8y-16) =10-2x
' 10−2 x
y=
8 y−16

10−2(7)
y'=
8 ( 4.828 )−16

y’=-0.1768

583: EE Board October 1997

If y=4 cos x + sin 2x, what is the slope of the curve when x = 2 radians?
A. -2.21
B. -4.94
C. -3.25
D. 2.21

Solution:
y= 4 cos x + sin 2x
Differentiate:
y’=4(-sinx) + cos 2x (2)
y’=2cos 2x – 4sinx
At x =2 radians

[ ( )] [ ( )]
y ' =2 cos 2 2
180°
π
−4 2
180 °
π

y’=2cos 229.183 - 4sin 114.591

y’=-4.94

584: ECE Board November 1991

Find the slope of the line tangent to the curve y=x 3-2x+1 at x=1.
A. 1
B. ½
C. 1/3
D. ¼

Solution:
y=x3 -2x + 1
Note: slope = y’
Differentiate and substitute x =1:
y’=3x2 – 2
y’=3(1)2 – 2
y’=1
Note: Since the line is tangent to the curve at x=1, then the slope of the line is the
same as the slope of the curve at the given point.
Thus, the slope of the line is equal to 1.
585: ECE Board November 1991
x3
Give the slope of the curve at the point (1, 1): y=
4 -2x+1

A. ¼
B. -1/4
C. 1 ¼
D. – 1 ¼
Solution:
x3
y= - 2x+1
4

Note: slope = y’
Differentiate and substitute x=1:
1
y ' = ( 3 x 2) −2
4

1
y ' = ( 3 ) (1)2−2
4

1
y ' =−1
4

586: ECE Board November 1998

Find the slope of x2y=8 at the point (2, 2).
A. 2
B. -1
C. -1/2
D. -2

Solution:
x2y=8
8
y= x 2
Note: slope=y’
Differentiate and substitute x=2:
8(−2 x ) −16
y’=
= 3
x4 x

−16
y’= (2)3

y-=-2

587: CE Board May 1998

Find the slope of the curve x2+y2-6x+10y+5=0 at the point (1, 0).
A. 1/5
B. 2/5
C. ¼
D. 2

Solution:
x2+y2-6x+10y+5=0
Note: slope=y’
Differentiate and substitute x = 1 & y=0.
2x + 2yy’ – 6 + 10y’ + 0 = 0
y’ (2y + 10) = 6 – 2x
6−2 x
y'=
2 y +10

6−2(1) 4
y'= =
2(0)+ 10 10

' 2
y=
5

588: CE Board May 1996

Find the slope of the tangent to the curve, y=2x-x 2+x3 at (0, 2).
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4

Solution:
y=2x-x2+x3
Note: Slope=y’
Differentiate and substitute x=0:
y’=2-2x+3x2
y’=2-2(0) +3(0)2
y’=2
589: ECE Board April 1999
Find the coordinates of the vertex of the parabola y=x 2-4x+1 by making use of the
fact that at the vertex the slope of the tangent is zero.
A. (2, 3)
B. (3, 2)
C. (-1, -3)
D. (-2, -3)

Solution:
y=x2-4x+1
Note: slope=y’
Differentiate and y’=0:
y’=2x-4
0=2x-4
x=2
Substitute x = 2 to the given equation:
y= (2)2-4(2) +1=-3
Thus, the vertex is at (2, -3)

590: ECE Board April 1999

Find the equation of the normal to x2+y2=5 at the point (2, 1).
A. y=2x
B. x = 2y
C. 2x+3y=3
D. x+y=1

Solution:
x2+y2=1
Let m1=slope of the given curve
Differentiate and substitute x =2 & y=1:
2x+2yy’=0
−x −2
y’=
=
y 1
y’=-2
m1=-2
Note: Since the line is normal to the curve at the given point, the slope (m 2) of the
line is equal the negative reciprocal of the slope of the given curve.
−1 −1 1
= =
m2= m 1 −2 2

Using the point of slope form:

y-y1=m(x-xz)
1
y-1= 2
( x−2)

2y-2=x-2
X=2y

591: CE Board May 1995

What is the equation of the normal to the curve x 2+y2=25 at (4, 3)?
A. 5x+3y=0
B. 3x-4y=0
C. 3x+4y=0
D. 5x-3y=0

Solution:
x2+y2=25
Let m1=slope of the given curve
m2= slope of the normal line
Differentiate and substitute x=4 & y=3:
2x+2yy’=0
−x −4
y’=
=
y 3

−4
m1= 3

−1 −1 3
= =
m2= m 1 −4 /3 4
Using point slope form:
y-y1=m(x-x1)
3
y-3= 4
(x−4)

4y-12=3x-12
3x-4y=0

592: EE Board April 1997

Locate the points of inflection of the curve y=f(x) =x 2ex.

A. −2 ± √ 3

B. 2± √ 2

C. −2 ± √ 2

D. 2± √ 3

Solution:
y=x2ex
Note:
d (uv) =udv+vdu
d (eu) =eudu
y’=x2(ex) +ex (2x)
y’’=x2(ex) +ex (2x) +ex (2) +2x (ex)
y’’=x2ex+4xex+2ex
At point of inflection, y’’=0:
0= x2ex+4xex+2ex
0= x2+4x+2
By quadratic formula;

−4 ± √ 42−4 ( 1 ) (2) −4 ± √ 8
x= =
2(1) 2

−4 ± 2 √ 2
x=
2
 x=−2± √ 2

Substitute the values of x to the given equation to solve for the values of y:
2(−2+ √ 2)
y ¿(−2+ √ 2) e =0.19 or

2(−2− √ 2)
y ¿(−2− √ 2) e =0.38

Note: From the choices, only values of the x-coordinates are given. Thus the
suggested answer is choice C.

593: ECE Board November 1991

In the curve 2+12x-x3, find the critical points.
A. (2, 18) & (-2, -14)
B. (2, 18) & (2, -14)
C. (-2, 18) & (2, -14)
D. (-2, 18) & (-2, 14)

Solution:
y=2+12x-x3
Note: Critical points are points wherein the slope of the curve is zero.
y’=12-3x2
0=12-3x2
x2=4
x=2
Substitute the values of x to the general equation to solve for the values of y:
y=2+12(2)-2(2)3=18 or
y=2+12(-2)-2(-2)3 =-14
Thus, the points are (2, 18) and (-2, -14).

594: CE Board November 1997

Find the radius of curvature of a parabola y 2-4x=0 at point (4, 4).
A. 22.36 units
B. 25.78 units
C. 20.33 units
D. 15.42 units

Solution:
3/ 2
[ 1+( y' )2 ]
R=
y' '

y2-4x=0
2yy’-4=0
4 2
y’= 2 y
=
y

y ( 0 ) −2 y ' −2 y '
y’’=
= 2
y2 y

2
y’’y =-2 ( 2y )
4
y’’=- y 3

Substitute y=4 to solve for y’ and y’’:

2 2 1
y’= y
= =
4 2

−4 −4 1
= 3=
y’’= y
3
(4) 16

Substitute y’ and y’’ to solve for R:

3/2

R=
[
1 2
1+( )
2 ]
1
16

R=22.36

595: ECE Board November 1996

Find the radius of curvature at any point in the curve y+lncosx=0.
A. cos x
B. 1.5707
C. sec x
D. 1

Solution:
3/ 2
[ 1+( y' )2 ]
R=
y' '

y + ln cos x = 0
y = - ln cos x
du
Note: d (ln u) = u

Where: u=cos x; du=-sin x

x
y’=- ( −sin
cos x )
=tan x

y’’=sec2 x
Substitute y’ and y’’ to solve for R:
3 /2
[ 1+(tan x)2 ]
R=
sec 2 x

Note: 1+tan2x=sec2x
3 /2
( sec 2 x )
R=
sec 2 x

sec 3 x
R= 2
sec x

R=sec x