AP Calculus Study Guide: Limits, Continuity, and
Derivatives
This study guide covers the core calculus concepts for AP Calculus AB: limits, continuity, and
derivatives — complete with key rules, examples, and formulas, formatted for clean printing.
1) Basic Properties of Limits
The limit describes the value a function approaches as x approaches a certain number. Key properties:
- lim(x->a)[f(x) + g(x)] = lim f(x) + lim g(x) - lim(x->a)[f(x) * g(x)] = (lim f(x)) * (lim g(x)) - lim(x->a)[c * f(x)]
= c * lim f(x) Examples: 1. lim(x->3)(2x^2 + 5x) = 2(3)^2 + 5(3) = 33 2. lim(x->2) [(x^2 - 4)/(x - 2)] =
lim(x->2)(x + 2) = 4 Tip: Always try factoring or simplifying before substitution.
2) Differentiable?
A function is differentiable at a point if its derivative exists there. It must be continuous AND have no
sharp corners or vertical tangents. Example 1: f(x) = |x| is not differentiable at x = 0 (corner). Example
2: f(x) = x^2 is differentiable everywhere. Tip: Check for continuity first; if not continuous, it's not
differentiable.
3) Quotient Rule
Used for derivatives of a quotient: (f/g)' = (g*f' − f*g') / g^2 Examples: 1. f(x) = (x^2 + 1)/(x - 3) f'(x) = [(x -
3)(2x) - (x^2 + 1)(1)] / (x - 3)^2 2. f(x) = sin(x)/x f'(x) = [x*cos(x) − sin(x)] / x^2 Tip: Remember “low d
high minus high d low, over the square of what’s below.”
4) Product Rule
Used for products of two functions: (fg)' = f'g + fg' Examples: 1. f(x) = (x^2 + 1)(3x) f'(x) = (2x)(3x) + (x^2
+ 1)(3) = 9x^2 + 3 2. f(x) = x^2 * sin(x) f'(x) = 2x*sin(x) + x^2*cos(x) Tip: Don’t forget both terms —
missing one is a common error.
5) Simplifying Limits
When direct substitution gives 0/0, factor or simplify first. Example 1: lim(x->2) [(x^2 - 4)/(x - 2)] = 4
Example 2: lim(x->1) [(x^3 - 1)/(x - 1)] = 3 Tip: Rationalizing or factoring helps remove indeterminate
forms.
6) Basic Derivative
Power rule: d/dx(x^n) = n*x^(n−1) Examples: 1. d/dx(x^3) = 3x^2 2. d/dx(5x^4) = 20x^3 Tip: Always
check coefficients and exponents carefully.
7) Differentiable? (again)
Example: f(x) = x^(1/3) f'(x) = 1 / (3 * x^(2/3)) Derivative undefined at x = 0 → not differentiable at 0.
Rule: no sharp corners, holes, or vertical tangents.
8) Continuous?
A function f is continuous at x = a if: 1. f(a) is defined 2. lim(x->a) f(x) exists 3. lim(x->a) f(x) = f(a)
Example: f(x) = {x^2 if x<1, 3x−2 if x≥1} → Continuous at x=1 since both sides equal 1. Tip: For
piecewise functions, check the connection point.
9) Average & Instantaneous Rate of Change
Average rate of change = [f(b)−f(a)] / (b−a) Instantaneous rate = f'(x) Example: f(x) = x^2 - Avg. rate
from 2→5: (25−4)/3 = 7 - Instantaneous at x=2: f'(x)=4 Tip: Average = slope of secant, Instantaneous =
slope of tangent.
10) Product Rule (again)
Example: f(x) = x^2 * sin(x) f'(x) = 2x*sin(x) + x^2*cos(x) Another: f(x) = x^3 * ln(x) f'(x) = 3x^2*ln(x) +
x^2 Tip: Apply power rule first, then other rules as needed.
11) Piecewise Function Continuity & Differentiability
Example: f(x) = {x^2 if x<1, ax+b if x≥1} Continuous at x=1 → a + b = 1 Differentiable at x=1 → 2 = a →
a=2, b=−1 Tip: Always solve continuity first, then differentiability.
12) Definition of Derivative
f'(x) = lim(h->0) [f(x+h)−f(x)] / h Example: f(x) = x^2 f'(x) = lim(h->0)[(x+h)^2 − x^2]/h = 2x Tip: Know this
definition — it's the foundation of all derivative rules.
13) Continuity Example
Example: f(x) = (x^2−9)/(x−3) Simplify: f(x) = x+3 when x≠3 Undefined at x=3 → not continuous. Tip:
These are removable discontinuities.
14) Quotient Rule (again)
Example: f(x) = sin(x)/x f'(x) = [x*cos(x) − sin(x)] / x^2 Tip: Always check the domain (x ≠ 0 here).
15) Power Rule
d/dx(x^n) = n*x^(n−1) Examples: 1. d/dx(x^5) = 5x^4 2. d/dx(sqrt(x)) = 1 / (2*sqrt(x)) 3. d/dx(1/x^3) =
−3/x^4 Tip: Rewrite roots and fractions with exponents before differentiating.
Mini Formula Sheet
Limits:
lim(x->a)[f(x) ± g(x)] = lim f(x) ± lim g(x)
lim(x->a)[f(x)*g(x)] = (lim f(x))*(lim g(x))
lim(x->a)[f(x)/g(x)] = (lim f(x)) / (lim g(x))
Continuity:
A function f is continuous at x=a if:
1. f(a) is defined
2. lim(x->a) f(x) exists
3. lim(x->a) f(x) = f(a)
Derivative Rules:
Power Rule: (x^n)' = n*x^(n−1)
Constant Multiple: (c*f)' = c*f'
Sum Rule: (f + g)' = f' + g'
Product Rule: (f*g)' = f'*g + f*g'
Quotient Rule: (f/g)' = (g*f' − f*g') / g^2
Chain Rule: (f(g(x)))' = f'(g(x)) * g'(x)
Trigonometric Derivatives:
(sin x)' = cos x
(cos x)' = −sin x
(tan x)' = sec^2(x)
(cot x)' = −csc^2(x)
(sec x)' = sec(x)*tan(x)
(csc x)' = −csc(x)*cot(x)