Saturday, January 16, 2010

post #22

okay so this was on our ap practice test and i just wanted to post it in case anyone needed to take a look at it... i myself do not understand this so if anyone could help me out that would be good.


LRAM is left hand approximation and the formula is:
delta x [f(a) + f( delta x +a) .... + f( delta x - b)]

Say you are asked to calculate the left Riemann Sum for -4x -5 on the interval [-3, -1] divided into 2 subintervals.

delta x would equal: -1+3 /2 = 2/2 = 1
1[ f(-3) + f(-3 +1)]
1[ f( -3) + f(-2)]
then plug into your equation

RRAM is right hand approximation and the formula is:
delta x [ f(a + delta x) + .... + f(b)]
so using the same example:
1[ f( -2) + f(-1)] and then plug into your equation

MRAM is to calculate the middle and the formula is:
delta x [ f(mid) + f(mid) + .... ]
To find midpoints, you would add the two numbers together then divide by two
In this problem the numbers would be: -3 , -2, -1
-3 + -2/ 2 = -5/2 and -2 + -1 / 2 = -3/2
so 1[f(-5/2) + f(-3/2)] and the plug in

Trapezoidal is different because instead of multiplying by delta x, you multiply by delta x/2 and you also have on more term then your number of subintervals.
The formula is : delta x/2 [f(a) + 2f(a + delta x) + 2f(a+ 2 delta x) + ....f(b)]
For this problem: 1/2 [ f(-3) + 2 f(-2) + f( -1)] and then plug in.

Substitution takes the place of the derivative rules for problems such as product rule and quotient rule. The steps to substitution are:
1. Find a derivative inside the interval
2. set u = the non-derivative
3. take the derivative of u
4. substitute back in

e integration:

whatever is raised to the e power will be your u and du will be the derivative of u. For example:

e^2x-1dx
u=2x-1 du=2
rewrite the function as:
1/2{ e^u du, therefore
1/2e^2x-1+C will be the final answer.

Post #22

So how’s everyone’s scores coming along on the AP tests…hopefully a little better than mine, but I can’t complain too much! Anywayyssss…

Let’s see what I remember shall we.. if you take the derivative of f^2(x) you treat it as if it was like sine. You do 2f(x) times f’(x) times 1. So it’s almost as if you have (f(x))^2 and you use the chain rule. Bring the 2 to the front, subtract 1, times by the derivative of the inside. And since the derivative of f(x) is f’(x) times the derivative of x, which is 1. These rules seem to help me A LOT!

Lets say you have:
x^2-2 DIVIDED BY 4-x^2 AS THE LIMIT APPROACHES 2
soo..
for this you end up getting two divided by zero. For finite limits though, if you get a number over zero, it’s always infinity. Therefore the answer is INFINITY!

Remember:
If the top exponent is greater than the bottom it’s the limit as it approaches infinity, and if the top exponent is less than the bottom it’s the limit as it approaches zero!
DON’T GET THEM CONFUSED LIKE I DID!
Here’s a trick:
Remember if you’re divided a number by another number and you have a bigger number on top it’s usually not zero. Also, if you’re dividing a number by another number and you have a smaller number on top it’s usually not a big number. Therefore, when the bigger number is on top since it’s a bigger number than zero it’s INFINITY and when the bigger number is on the bottom that means that it’s being lessened so it’s ZERO!

I guess we need to start studing for the next AP Exam huh!...[well I do anyways]
GOOD LUCK!

~ElliE~

numero 22

THIS WEEK IN CALC WE JUST WENT OVER ALL OF OUR A.P. STUFF, SAME AS THE REST OF THE THIRD 9 WEEKS, AND SAME THING WE WILL BE DOING FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR.

formulas for derivatives

d/dx c=0 (c is a #)
d/dx cu=cu' (c is #)
d/dx cx=c (c is a #)
d/dx u+v=u'+v'
d/dx uv=uv'+vu'
d/dx u/v=(vu'-uv')/v^2
d/dx sinx=cosx(x')
d/dx cosx=-sinx(x')
d/dx tanx=sec^2x(x')
d/dx secx=secxtanx(x')
d/dx cscx=-cscxtanx(x')
d/dx cotx=-csc^2x(x')
d/dx lnu= 1/u(u')
d/dx e^u=e^u(u')

***just remember that integration is opposite for all these derivative formulas. ***

Optimization can be used for finding the maximum/minimum amount of area of something. Steps in order to optimize anything:
1. Identify primary and secondary equations. Primary deals with the variable that is being maximized or minimized. The secondary equation is usually the other equation that ties in all the information given in the problem.
2. Solve the secondary equation for one variable and then plug that variable back into the primary. If the primary equation only have one variable you can skip this step.
3. Take the derivative of the primary equation after plugging in the variable, set it equal to zero, and then solve for the variable.
4. Plug that variable back into the secondary equation in order to solve for the last missing variable. Check endpoint if necessary to find the maximum or minimum answers

I'M NOT DOING SO GREAT ON AP RIGHT NOW, BUT HOPEFULLY ALL THE CORRECTIONS AND STUFF WILL HELP ME OUT. Can someone explain to me linearization. it has completely left my brain

Friday, January 15, 2010

Post 1/15/2010..#22

More AP practice questions work for you??? Okay, that is what I shall do then.

EXAMPLE 1:Given the equation y = (x-3)/(2-5x). Find dy/dx.

Quotient Rule (you could technically do product, but I prefer things set in stone (plug into a formula nd all))

dy/dx = ((2-5x)(1) -(-5)(x-3))/(2-5x)^2
= (2-5x + 5x -15)/(2-5x)^2
= - 13/(2-5x)^2

What I did: I took the derivative of the function using the quotient rule**be sure not to mix up NEGATIVES!!


EXAMPLE 2: What is the maximum value for the following: f(x) = xe^-x

Take derivative using product rule (multiplying two things).

x(-e^-x) + e^-x(1)remember that the der. e is e^w/e times the der. of the exponent

Simplify:
-xe^-x + e^-x

You can factor out an e^-x

(-x+1)e^-x

To find the critical values (possible maxima) set (-x+1) equal to zero and solve for x.

This yields x = 1. Now plug in that one to e^-x.

This then gives you 1/e====>your maximum value.


EXAMPLE 3: The table shows the speed of an object in feet per second, during a 3 second period.

time(sec)-----0--1--2--3
speed(ft/sec)-30-22-12-0

Estimate the distance traveled using the trapezoid method.

All you have to do for this particular problem is find delta x then plug into the formula: delta x /2 [f(first one) +2f(next)...f(last one)]

b-a/n = delta x

3-0/3 = 1

1/2[30 + 2(22) + 2(12) + 0]

1/2[20 + 44 + 24]
=49

EXAMPLE 4: Which best describes the behavior of the function y = arctan(1/lnx) at x = t?

A. It has a jump discontinuity
B. It has an infinite discontinuity.
C. It has a removable discontinuity
D. It is both continuous and differentiable
E. It is continuous but not differentiable.

Now keep in mind that this is in the calculator portion...so if they give you a function and you have your calculuator...GRAPH it! All the question is asking you is what's happening at x = 1???

Well when looking at the graph you can clearly see that it is not continuous....(*whispers*there's a jump). So you rule out D and E. It's not a removable because there's no hole...but it clearly jumps!!! SO the answer is A!!!!!


~MalPal

Monday, January 11, 2010

Post #21

Well we have now gone straight ap practice tests. This is making me nervous! I'm forgetting some easy stuff and making stupid mistakes. There are a few things though that I am actually remembering and learning while correcting these tests:

1. The derivative of e^u is simply (e^u)u^1. I don't know why I always forget that.

2. Average value means take the integral.

Example: The average value of f(x)= -1/x^2 on [1/2, 1].
1/b-a 1S1/2 (-1/x^2)
1/(1-1/2)S x^-2
2[(-x^-1)/-1] = 2/x still have to integrate from 1/2 to 1
(2/1)-(2/(1/2) = -2

3. Approximate=linearization

Example: If f(1)=2 and f^1(1)=5, use the equation of the line tangent to the graph of f at x=1 to approximate f(1.2).
All you do is put it in to point slope form and solve
y-2=5(x-1)
y-2=5(1.2-1)
y-2=5(.2)
y=1+2= 3

4. Make sure to read the problem carefully because half the time you can eliminate at least two answer choices.

5. And finally use your calculator for the calculator section! It sounds dumb, but we all don't. Always try to graph the equation given or use the table and your calculator can take derivatives and integrals.


My question is about this formula H^1(x)=1/f^1(H(x)). I put a star by this formula in my notes, but I can't tell what kind of problems it is used for. Can anyone help with that?

21

Optimization
1 Identify primary and secondary equations your primary is the one your or maximizing or minimizing and your secondary is the other equation
2. Solve for your secondary variable and plug into your primary equation if your primary only has on variable this isn’t necessary
3. Plug into secondary equation to find the other value check your end points if necessary

Related Rates:
1. Identify all variables and equations
2. Identify what you are looking for
3. Make a sketch and label
4. Write an equation involving your variables
5. Take the derivative with respect to time
6. Substitute in derivative and solve.

for some things im still having trouble with are rolles theorm and mean value theroem. Can somebody help

Sunday, January 10, 2010

twenty-one

no school tomorrow! yessssss :) haha, so this week mon-fri, we did the same thing. every day. review ap test questions, took a couple practice ap tests in 5th hour, went over them. pretty much everything we've learned this year, we went over. haha

Related Rates:
1. Identify all variables and equations
2. Identify what you are looking for
3. Make a sketch and label
4. Write an equation involving your variables
5. Take the derivative with respect to time
6. Substitute in derivative and solve.

Example:
Air is being pumped into a spherical balloon at a rate of 4.5 cubic ft/min. Find the rate of change of the radius when the radius is 2 ft.
1. r=2ft; dv/dt = 4.5 ft^3/min
2. NEED TO FIND dr/dt.
3. Volume of sphere: v=4/3 pi r^3
4. derivative: dv/dt = 4 pi r^2 dr/dt
5. Plug in: 4.5 = 4pi(2)^2 dr/dt
6. 4.5=16 pi dr/dt
dr/dt = 9/32 pi ft/min

i finally am starting to understand all the lram rram tram mram stuff, but i couldn't explain it. i have to see it. AP tests seem to have a lot of repeating questions. i get e integration too!

u is always whatever e is raised to(the exponent)
du is always the derivative.
simply use substitution and solve.

i also understand disks and washers.. but unfortunately i did forget the formulas. haha

what i mainly have problems with is word problems.. which is pretty much everything! so, idk what to do. i guess i just need practice. someone please refresh my memory with disk and washers area and volume formulas for both!

Ash's 21st Post

So, this blog is not going to explain much, if anything, because, I'll be honest, there isn't much that I understand. I think I'm getting more confused as the days pass... These AP tests are killing me..I'm doing horribly on these. I don't know why! Maybe it's the fact that it's supposed to be beastly hard and my mind is thinking that I can't do it (subconsciously...wow, shows my self esteem level, eh?).

I think I may have asked this before, but Is there a method to taking the AP tests the way there are methods to take the ACT and whatnot?
I'm getting confused on even the limits! After a little bit of derivatives, I finally see that I can just take the coefficients and divide them, but I'm making simple things way too complicated and complicated things...even more so than they already are!

I second Steph's blog..I also need help with the keywords and what triggers what. I've always had that problem in Math.

I look at my notebook, and think something looks simple, but after I look away and try to do an example problem, I FAIL!! I try to learn this information, but I'm pretty sure, as Mrs. Robinson has suggested once before, that I'm not studying correctly...well, not correctly, but you know what I mean. For formulas, Riemann Sums, for example, what is your method of memorizing them? I think I need to try different methods of studying, but I want to see what works for others and see if maybe I can combine their methods to study more efficiently.

On the AP tests, can someone explain to me a cone problem? One of them is number 17, but I couldn't read the problem, so I've only got a diagram. But I've never understood cones.

Oh, another thing I don't understand is tables! I cannot read them!! I don't know if I see a table and freak out or what. I get confused with the tables like this

x | f(x) | f'(x) | g
and there's a bunch of numbers under here..
I can never tell what they want...does anyone have a method of reading tables? That can also come in handy for the Science portion of the ACT!

Speaking of which! I cannot find this online, but I may not have searched the right things. Does anyone know what score you need in math to get out of a college course? Just like if you get a 30 in English, you get to skip English 101 and 102 or something like that. My scores in math this time leave much to be desired. They keep decreasing, does anyone know any good websites that can help or give problems?

Sorry for all of the questions :)

Week of January 4

Well since I have a couple practice exams from first hour, and one from fifth hour, and the exam review we did in class last week, I guess I'll do some questions from them.

Water is poured at a constant rate into a conical reservior. If the depth of the water, h, is graphed as a function of time, the graph is:

A) decreasing
B) constant
C) linear
D) concave up
E) concave down

You know the question is talking about the first derivate, because it says a 'constant rate'. From that, you can eliminate that the graph is: C) linear, D) concave up, and E) concave down. You then use logic to realize that if the width of the cone keeps getting bigger or smaller, the height would not be a constant, so the A) constant would be elimated. This would leave you with A) decreasing.


If F(3) = 8 and F '(3) = -4 then F(3.02) is approximately:

A) -8.08
B) 7.92
C) 7.98
D) 8.02
E) 8.03

You can use y-intercept form to solve this problem.
The problem gives you that x = 3, y = 8, and m = -4
So you plug it into the y-intercept form and get:
y - 8 = -4 (x - 3)
Equals: y - 8 = -4x + 12
So you then plug the x they want you to find, 3.02, into the problem and get that:
y = 7.92
So the answer is B) 7.92.


Ahh, well school is cancelled Monday, so I guess I will see you all on Tuesday!!!

post 21

okay, well umm, this last week we practiced ap tests and although it makes me sad to say, i think i did betteron the no calculator portion of the test than i did on the calculator allowed portion. but now is not the time for that, so i am just going to get this blog over with. for this blog i am going to write about riemann summs.

The first formula you need to know is x=(b-a)/n [a,b] with n subintervals. You will need to know this because each of the next formulas require that you know what x is.

LRAM- left hand approximation. (this puts the rectangles used to find the area on the left side of the curve) x[f(a)+f(a+x)+...f(b)]
RRAM- right hand approximation. (this puts the rectangles used to find the area on the right side of the curve) x[f(a+x)+...f(b)]
MRAM- approximation from the middle. (this puts the rectangles right on top of the curve, so that the curve goes through the middle of each one) x[f(mid)+f(mid)+...]
Trapezoidal- this does not use squares, instead it uses trapezoids to eliminate most of the empty space inside the curve, and I think this is the most accurate. x/2[f(a)+2f(a+x)+2f(a+2x)+...f(b)]


okay, well i know how to do all the stuff i mentioned above except for mram, so even though i have the formula i am not exactly sure how to do it. any help would be appreciated

Post #21

Hello, and i'd like to wish everyone a wonderful day tomorrow being that we do not have school. YES! Finally, our day of for inclimate weather! :)

So, i'm not really comfortable with any of the AP things we have been going over lately..so instead of lying about this, i'm going to try and get some help, because with my scores..it's much needed.

If anyone can:
*help me remember which words in the question tell me to do what Calculus operation
Like: telling between when to take an integral for velocty and speed and when to take the derivative of something.

*Related rate problems
I've always had trouble with these, I can't quite grasp the steps and mix it in with the problem.

*Substitution
This is something i didn't understand from the beginning. I don't understand how you plug in the integral and equation..because i always end up with taking the integral of the original equation..help?

*Linearization
I'm not quite sure when to do it, i know i'm supposed to do linearization when i see approximate..but i'm not sure how to do it. Is it just finding a slope?

I know this isn't one of my best blogs, but honestly..i'm doing this for my help, these are the topics i need buku help with..and when i got my scores back it made me realize that i'm not comfortable with any of my calculus topics..

Hopefully someone out there has some good hints and clues for me..because there's a short in my brain when i'm reading my notes and reviewing the problems, i just can't find the key words and make hints of what to do!

post 21

The steps for working linearization problems are:
1. Identify the equation
2. Use the formula f(x)+f ' (x)dx
3. Determine your dx in the problem
4. Then determine your x in the problem
5. Plug in everything you get
6. Solve the equation

Example problem:(sr=square root) Use differentiability to approximate sr(4.5)
f(x)=sr(x) sr(4)+(1/2 sr(4) )(.5)=1.125sr(x)+(1/2 sr(x) )
dx error=.005
dx=.5
x=4

The next topic I will talk about is integration. Integration finds the area under a curve. The Riemann sum approximates the area using the rectangles or trapezoids. The Riemanns Sums are:
LRAM-Left hand approximation=delta x[f(a)+f(a+delta x)+...f(b-delta x)]
RRAM-Right hand approximation=delta x[f(a+delta x)+...f(b)]
MRAM-Middle approximation=delta x[f(mid)+f(mid)+...]
Trapezoidal-delta x/2[f(a)+2f(a+delta x)+2f(a+2 delta x)+...f(b)]
delta x=b-a/number of subintervals

Example problem: Find the area of f(x)x-3 on the interval [0,2] with 4 subintervals.

delta x=2-0/4=1/2
LRAM=1/2[f(0)+f(1/2)+f(1)+f(3/2)]1/2[-3+-5/2+-2+-3/2]1/2[-9]= -9/2
RRAM=1/2[f(1/2)+f(1)+(3/2)+f(2)]1/2[-5/2+-2+-3/2+-1]1/2[-7]= -7/2
MRAM=1/2[f(1/4)+f(3/4)+f(5/4)+f(7/4)]1/2[-11/4+-9/4+-7/4+-5/4]1/2[-8]=4
Trapezoidal=1/4[f(0)+2f(1/2)+2f(1)+2f(7/2)+f(2)]1/4[-3+-10/2+-4+-6/2+-1]1/4[-16]= 4

For things I do not know I forgot how to do problems that ask to find acceleration and velocity when all that is given is postitions and an equation of t(x). This is what my wiki was on and failed it horribly because I have no idea what I am doing.

21?

okay so i think everyone will agree that the first week back to calculus was extremely roughhhh. I suck at practice AP's but hopefully i'll get better at them.

i'm just going to review some things that we all may need to know.

Equation of a tangent line:
Take the derivative and plug in the x value.
If you are not given a y value, plug into the original equation to get the y value.
then plug those numbers into point slope form: y − y1 = m(x − x1)

Finding critical values:
To find critical values, first take the derivative of the function and set it equal to zero, solve for x. The answers you get for x are your critical values.

Absolute extrema:
If you are given a point, plug those numbers into the original function to get another number. Alos, solve for critical values and plug those into the original function. Once you get your second numbers, you set each pair into new sets of points. The highest point is the absolute max and the smallest point is the absolute min.

LRAM- left hand approximation.
x[f(a)+f(a+x)+...f(b)]
RRAM- right hand approximation.
x[f(a+x)+...f(b)]
MRAM- approximation from the middle.
x[f(mid)+f(mid)+...]

Trapezoidal- this does not use squares, instead it uses trapezoids to eliminate most of the empty space inside the curve, and I think this is the most accurate. x/2[f(a)+2f(a+x)+2f(a+2x)+...f(b)]

Example: Find the area of f(x)x-3 on the interval [0,2] with 4 subintervals.
delta x=2-0/4=
1/2

LRAM=1/2[f(0)+f(1/2)+f(1)+f(3/2)]
1/2[-3+-5/2+-2+-3/2]
1/2[-9]= -9/2

RRAM=1/2[f(1/2)+f(1)+(3/2)+f(2)]
1/2[-5/2+-2+-3/2+-1]
1/2[-7]=
-7/2

MRAM=1/2[f(1/4)+f(3/4)+f(5/4)+f(7/4)]
1/2[-11/4+-9/4+-7/4+-5/4]
1/2[-8]= 4

Trapezoidal=1/4[f(0)+2f(1/2)+2f(1)+2f(7/2)+f(2)]
1/4[-3+-10/2+-4+-6/2+-1]
1/4[-16]= 4



as far as questions go.. i have trouble understanding what exactly it is i'm being asked to do on the AP test. umm other things.. substitution, it'd be great if anyone would like to review that for me.

Posting...#21

I accidently hit enter so i posted twice my mistake. I can't say what we did in the week no more because all we do now is review.

So ill go over somehitn called the First derivative test

Steps: 1st take a derivative
2: set it =0
3: solve for x=>max mins, extrema , horizontal tangents
4: Set up intervals using step 3
5: plug in 1st derivative
6: If your finding absolute max/min plug values from 5 into original fuction

Example:

F(x)=(1/2)-cos(x) Find the extrema for f(x) on the (0,2pie)

f ' (x)=1/2-cos(x)
1/2-cos(x)=0
-cos(x)=1/2
x=cos^-1 (1/2)
x= pie/3, 5pie/3

b) 0,pie/3 pie/3 , 5pie/3 5pie/3 , 2 pie
then plug invalues b/w these sets

f '(pie/4)= 1/2-cos (pie/4)
which is decresing

b/w pie/3 and 5pie/3 it is increasing and b/w 5pie/3 and 2pie its decreasings

so pie/3 is a min
and 5pie/3 is a max

And im having trouble with disks and washers so if someone could help me thanks

Posting..#21

Post Number Twenty One

First thing’s first, NO SCHOOL TOMORROW (:

This week we did practice ap exams. We’ll be doing this for the rest of the year, which scares me because I all of a sudden know NOTHING. I’m not even sure what to do my blog on, that’s how bad off I am. I have a lot of trouble just recognizing what I need to do for the problem. Hopefully as the weeks go on and the more practice tests we do the better I get. So if anyone can help me out with anything, come. I’m begging you, seriously!

Formulas that I know:

Average Value : 1/b – a bSa f(a)

Area between curves : bSa (top equation – bottom equation)

“e integration”: Se^x = e^x + C

ln integration: S 1/x dx = ln x + C
*don’t change to x^-1

Volume by disks: pi bSa [R(x)]^2 dx

Volume by washers: pi bSa (top)^2 – (bottom)^2

Quotient rule: vu’ – uv’/v^2

Product Rule: uv’ + vu’

Substitution steps:
1. Find a derivative inside the integral
2. Set u = to the non-derivative
3. Take the derivative of u
4. Substitute back in

If only I can actually work the problem..

Calculus Graph Vocabulary incase people forgot
1. Increasing – original
2. Decreasing - original
3. Positive Slope – first
4. Negative Slope – first
5. Concave up – second
6. Concave down – second
7. Horizontal tangent
8. Slope = 0
9. Derivative above axis – related to positive slope and concave up
10.Derivative below axis – related to negative slope and concave down
11. Zero of derivative
12. Maximum – original
13. Minimum – original
14. Point of inflection – second

Unfortunately the only one I actually know how to do from the practice test is number one, so that is going to be my example.

Lim x>infinity (3x^2 – 4)/(2 – 7x – x^2)

The answer is -3 because it follows the limit rules. If the degrees match, take the top coefficient over the bottom coefficient, thus giving you the answer.

Obviously I need a lot of help. I need it with everything, so please do so!

Post 21

Ok, so this whole week we've been doing practice AP tests (twice a day if you also have stats). These tests are really hard, and I'm horrible at them. Most of the time I have no clue what is ever going on. Other times, I think I know what's going on and eliminate answers I believe are not correct so I can make an educated guess, and my guesses are always wrong. I have learned that guessing is bad on these tests, especially if you are as horrible as I am with the whole guessing game. I have also learned you can make negative points on these tests if you do guess incorrectly. This week's really been crazy, but B-rob says it'll get better when we have more practice on the AP tests. She says the ask the same questions on every test, so with practice we'll eventually do well. It's the eventually part that bothers me because we have our first test tomorrow.

Anyway, this week was my side of the class's week to answer the problems on the wiki page. I picked number three which was a problem asking for the area beneath a curve and the volume of a solid. I picked this question because I knew I liked area under the curve, and volume wasn't much different. My problem actually had area by washers, which is very similar to area beneath the curve. So I picked this problem without really looking at how I'd solve it. I thought it would be easy enough. When I looked at the problem, I immediatly saw I didn't know how to solve for the bounds, or even integrate for that matter. When I asked for help, I found the problem could be done very easily in my calculator. The problem was I wasn't very sure how to use my calculator to do this problem. When I figured it out, it was a very easy problem to do. When I finished the problem; however, I doubted myself because I came out with crazy decimals. I was told to be confident in my answer because AP questions would not be very pretty. So for this blog, I'll explain how to do area under a curve and volume by disks and washers.

Area under a curve is very simple. In these problems, you will have two graphs that will yield two equations. You will then plug these equations in to the area under a curve formula. The formula is:

Integral from a-b (top eq-bottom eq)

Sometimes the problem will give you bounds, but if not they're easy to find. To find your bounds, you set your equations equal to each other and solve them. Once you find your bounds, just plug into the formula and integrate as you normally would for a definite integral.

For volume, you are usually given a graph, or an equation that you are asked to revolve around something to make it a solid, and you are asked to then find the volume of that solid. Volume can be found in two different ways by doing this, it can be found by using "disks" or "washers."

For example, you would use disks when you only have one equation. When this one equation (one graph) is rotated about a line it will make a solid object with no hole. If a problem asks you to rotate a graph around a horizontal line that is not the x-axis, you are to subtract that line from the equation and solve. For disks the formula is:

pi * Integral from a-b (eq)^2

Ex: Rotate the graph y=x^4 + x^2 from [0,2] about the line y=1

Ok, so for this one, it's asking you to rotate the graph about a horizontal line. This cannot be done, so you will have to subtract it from your equation once it's plugged in, like this.

pi* Integral from 0-2 (x^4 +x^2 -1)^2
Then integrate as you would in a normal definite integral

For disks, you would use the same process except you would have two equations. The formula for disks would be the same as it is for area under the curve, except the two equations would be squared as they are in disks and multiplied by pi as they are in disks.

Ok, some things I don't understand. My problem this week is I don't remember a thing I learned. Every time I went to make an educated guess it was wrong, and I always eliminated the possible answers. If anyone is good at these AP things, can they please help me?

Post #21

Since I been having trouble remembering linearization, I'll explain that.
The key word in linearization is approximate. Also, if there is a decimal in the problem, its another hint that you will be doing linearization.
The steps of linearization are
1. Identify and equation
2. f(x)+f'(x) dx
3. Determine dx (the decimal)
4. Determine x (the whole number)
5. Plug in

Examples:
Use differentials to approximate the square root of 16.5.
1. The equation would be f(x) = the square root of x
2. Take the derivative of f(x) which we found to be the square root of x
x^1/2 = 1/2 x^-1/2 dx or 1/2 square root of x dx
Then at f(x) and f'(x): the square root of x + 1/2 square root of x dx
3. dx = .5
4. x = 16
5. Plug in: the square root of 16 + 1/2 the square root of 16 (.5)
4+1/((2)(4) (.5) = 4 + 1/8 (.5) = 4.0625

The example we been seeing on the practice AP is
If f(1)=2 and f'(1)=5, use the equation of the line tangent to the graph of f at x=1 to approximate f(1.2).
For this problem, all you have to do is find the equation of the tangent line then plug in 1.2 for x.
To find the equation of a tangent line, you need a point and a slope.
You are given that f(1)=2 so your x is 1 and your y is 2 (1,2) is your point.
Then they give you that f'(1)=5 so your derivative (slope) is 5.
Now plug in: y-2=5(x-1)
Next plug in 1.2 for x
y-2=5(1.2-1)
y-2=5(.2)
y=1+2 = 3

I can use help on related rate problems because I get confused about what is given and what is not. Also, I need to learn how to work my calculator for the calculator portion. Other than that, I think I just need to study big time tonight because I am quite terrified for tomorrow.

Post #21

Calculus Week #21

So this week in Calculus we came back from the holidays, and we focused on doing some review by doing AP Calculus Practice Examinations.

I just want to say that these were a real eye opener to me because I sucked so hard on these...like... I can't even say how bad it is.

Anyway, some things I've learned that I'll share :-)

If you take the derivative of f^2(x) you treat it as if it was like sin. You do 2f(x) times f'(x) times 1. So its almost as if you have (f(x))^2 and you use the chain rule. Bring two to the front, subtract one. times by the derivative of the inside...well the derivative of f(x) is f'(x) times the derivative of x, which is 1. I never realized that you could apply all of those rules to function notation and it really seemed to help on a lot of problems.

Another thing that is new... say you have

x^2-2
-----
4-x^2 as the limit approaches 2

For this, you end up getting 2/0. For finite limits, if you get a # over 0, it is always infinity. That's a really nice little trick.

Also, all of the problems that deal with velocity and acceleration...like I knew before you had to use derivatives and integrals but I never realized the whole solve for c thing. So anyway, with those I find it easiest to just find all your 3 equations...position, velocity, and acceleration by whatever way possible. Then use what they give you...they will tell you enough information to plug in and solve the equations to be able to get the right thing they want. These have become really easy...

Another thing that's sort of new to me...whenever you have equations solved for x and are doing the area and stuff...like just because you turn the calculator sideways...you still put the one that was on top originally first when you do the integral.

Also, say you have an integral from like 2 to 3x-1... the 3x-1 will change basically like everything. Like if before the integral it had like 1...it would become 2.

On problems that tell you like... x=2t-1 is the substitution used for some integral...how is it changed etc... you use that to find your new bounds and you can eliminate so many answers its amazing. Also, make sure you solve this for t, take its derivative and make sure whatever you have is accounted for in the problem.

If you get confused using fnInt and nDeriv...you can do it another way. Graph the function you want to take the integral of or do a derivative. Then press SECOND, then CALC, and go down to dy/dx for the derivative or Sf(x)dx for integral. If you are doing the dy/dx it will just ask you for a value. You put in the x value that you want to know the derivative at. For the integral, it will ask you your lower bound, you type the number and press enter and then it will ask you for the upper bound...press in the number and press enter. I like this way because it shows you visually where the area you are calculating which is sometimes useful. Also I like this way because you don't have to worry about messing up parenthesizes. A downfall to this method is you will have to write down the decimal version of the number if you want to use it late on whereas if you use fnInt, you can just SECOND ANS. Anyway, just letting you guys know.


Something I still keep forgetting is that say you have the integral of 3x...you can just put it as 3 times the integral of x. This proves very useful...

Something I need to remember is that a secant line is the line between two points...usually the two points they give you.

Anyway, that was a bit of what I was noticing as I studied my notes...I'm off to take the practice online thing...

post 21

well another week of calculus comes to a close and all this reviewing is helping me a goodd bit.

volume by disks:

the formula is pi times the integral of the [function given] squared times dx. so just solve it by taking the integral of it and then pluging in the numbers they give you. just like before you'll have two numbers so whatever the answer is for the top one will be first and then you subtract the answer you get for the bottom one. then graph

volume by washers:

the formla is pie times the integral of the [top function] squared minus the [bottom function] squared times dx. so to do this, if you don't have the in between number you have to set the functions equal, but if you do, then it's worked the same way as above. square the formula's that were given and simplify. then take the integral of it and plug in the numbers they give you or you found by setting the formulas equal to each other and then solve like any other one by subracting them. then graph.


limits:

Rules for Limits:…
1. if the degree of top equals the degree of bottom, the answer is the top coefficient over bottom coefficient
2. if top degree is bigger than bottom degree, the answer is positive or negative infinity
2. if top degree is less than bottom degree, the answer is 0


related rates:
-Write down the given
-figure out which formula they want you to use
-plug in the given
-take the derivative
-solve for the unknown

im not too good at the lram rram mram stuff even though its super easy. i can never remember how to do it and when i finally to i forget.

Post #...1/10/2010

Instead of balantly typing the steps for the first and second derivatives on here, I have decided to do a couple of problems from the AP exams and explain them in terms I'm pretty sure you will understand as well (although this remains to be seen).

The following problem falls into the LINEARIZATION category:

**When the local linearization of f(x) = sqrt(9 + sin2x) near 0 is used, an estimate of 0.06 is...

Linearization is just the equation of a tangent line with the x value they give you plugged in.

f'(x) = cos2x / sqrt(9 + sin2x)

Since youknow that your x value is 0 (near 0), plug it in to find your slope.

This then gives you 1/sqrt(9), whcih simplifies to 1/3.
This is your slope of the tangent line. Now the only thing you are missing is your y value. You find this by plugging your x value into your original which gives you the point (0,3)

So now you have a point and a slope..plug in to point slope form.

y-3 =1/3(x-0)

Now plug in your 0.06 (since you are approximating to that) into your equation of tangent line. This then yields 3.02


Now for an easy problem:

If y = sin^3(1-2x), then dy/dx is...

As you can tell, the problem is just telling you to take the derivative. Now this part may be a little tricky because it is indeed a chain rule that involves multiple steps, thus possibly having a negative effect on your final answer.

Ok. so first deal witht the exponent:

dy/dx = 3sin^2(1-2x)

Now the derivative of sin:

dy/dx = 3sin^2(1-2x)cos(1-2x)

Now the derivative of the inside:

dy/dx = 3sin^2(1-2x)cos(1-2x)(-2)

Which then simplifies further to:

dy/dx = -6sin^2(1-2x)cos(1-2x)


Ok. Thats enough examples for now..will do more in the future!!

~mal