Post # 36

Okay, its getting down to the wire here and we have the AP test in like a week and a few days...So i'm thinking I should just say the things that are on the top of my head and hopefully it helps them stick in my head!

So, first, something I FINALLY understand: TANGENT LINES.

1. Look at the information given, its usually an x-value, and an equation.
2. Solve for the y-value, which means plug in the x-value into ORIGINAL equaiton.
3. Solve for slope, plug in the x-values to the derivative of the equaiton.

Then put it in point slope form.

Now, lets go over simple things like implicit derivatives.

-So, first you need to recognize that its an implicit derivative, you know it is bc it is going to have an x and y variable and its going to be equal to a number.
-You do the same thing as you would for a regular derivative except everytime you derive y, you put dy/dx behind it, noting you took the derivative of y.


Now, its getting really close to the ap test, and thanks to so much practicing, i'm finally beginning to get confident. If only i can keep my smarts on the multiple choice parts, i can possibly make a passing score!

Questions: umm, when you have an integral and you neeed to figure out what to substitute, and there is no trig function, what do you put as your u?