Expressions of the form 00, ∞∞, 0⋅∞,
∞−∞, 1∞, 00, and ∞0 are indeterminate — the limit may or may
not exist, and algebraic manipulation or l'H^opital's rule is required.
If f is continuous on [a,b] and k is any value between f(a) and f(b), then there exists
at least one c∈(a,b) such that f(c)=k.
This theorem underpins the bisection method for root-finding and guarantees that a continuous
function on a closed interval attains every intermediate value.
provided this limit exists. When it does, f is said to be differentiable at a.
Differentiability implies continuity, but continuity does not imply differentiability. The function
f(x)=∣x∣ is continuous everywhere but not differentiable at x=0.
When a relation between x and y cannot be easily solved for y, differentiate both sides with
respect to x, treating y as a function of x. Every occurrence of y produces a factor of
dxdy via the chain rule.
Example. Find dxdy for x2+y2=25.
Differentiating implicitly: 2x+2ydxdy=0, so dxdy=−yx.
The second derivative f′′(x)=dx2d2y is the derivative of f′(x). Higher-order
derivatives f(n)(x) are defined recursively. The second derivative governs concavity:
f′′(x)>0 implies concave up; f′′(x)<0 implies concave down.
When two or more quantities vary with time and are related by an equation, their rates of change are
related by implicit differentiation with respect to time t.
Example. A spherical balloon is inflated at dtdV=100cm3/s. Find
dtdr when r=5cm.
Since V=34πr3, differentiating: dtdV=4πr2dtdr.
Substituting: 100=4π(25)dtdr, so dtdr=π1cm/s.
LIATE priority for choosing u: Logarithmic, Inverse trigonometric, Algebraic, Trigonometric,
Exponential. Choose u as the function that appears highest on this list.
For integrals such as ∫xnexdx or ∫xnsinxdx, apply integration by parts
repeatedly. Tabular (DI) integration provides a systematic shortcut: differentiate the algebraic
factor until it reaches zero, integrate the other factor, and alternate signs.
Forgetting the chain rule. When differentiating composite functions, always identify the
inner function and multiply by its derivative.
Sign errors in the quotient rule. Remember: u′v−uv′, not uv′−u′v. A mnemonic: "low
d-high minus high d-low, over the square of what's below."
Dropping the +C. Every indefinite integral requires an arbitrary constant.
Integration by parts choice. Choosing the wrong factor for u can lead to a more complicated
integral. Follow the LIATE rule.
Incorrect limits after substitution. When using substitution in a definite integral, either
transform the limits to the new variable or back-substitute before evaluating.
Volume formula confusion. Ensure the correct axis of rotation is used. The variable in the
integrand corresponds to the axis perpendicular to the one of rotation.
Treating dxdy as a fraction in implicit differentiation. While the notation
suggests a ratio, it is a limit. Manipulations such as cross-multiplying are justified by the
chain rule, not by treating derivatives as fractions.
A rectangular box with a square base has a surface area of 150cm2. Find the dimensions
that maximise the volume.
Problem 4
Evaluate ∫01x2+1xdx.
Problem 5
Evaluate ∫x2e−xdx using integration by parts.
Problem 6
Find the volume generated when the region bounded by y=x, x=4, and the x-axis is
rotated 360∘ about the x-axis.
Problem 7
Determine whether ∫1∞xp1dx converges or diverges for
p>0.
Problem 8
Prove that f(x)=x3−3x+1 has exactly one root in the interval (1,2).
Answers to Selected Problems
Problem 1:x→0lim2xsin3x=x→0lim23⋅3xsin3x=23⋅1=23.
Problem 2: Differentiating implicitly: 3x2+3y2dxdy−3y−3xdxdy=0.
Factoring out dxdy: dxdy(3y2−3x)=3y−3x2, so
dxdy=y2−xy−x2.
Problem 3: Let base side =x and height =h. Surface area: 2x2+4xh=150, so
h=2x75−x2. Volume V=x2h=275x−x3. Setting
dxdV=275−3x2=0 gives x=5cm, h=5cm. Second
derivative V′′=−3x is negative at x=5, confirming a maximum. Maximum volume is
125cm3.
Problem 4: Let u=x2+1, du=2xdx.
∫01x2+1xdx=21∫12u−1/2du=[u]12=2−1.
Problem 5: Using tabular integration: differentiate x2→2x→2→0, integrate
e−x→−e−x→e−x→−e−x. Result:
−x2e−x−2xe−x−2e−x+C=−(x2+2x+2)e−x+C.
Problem 7:∫1∞xp1dx=[1−px1−p]1∞. For
p>1: =0−1−p1=p−11 (converges). For p=1:
∫1∞x1dx=b→∞limlnb=∞ (diverges). For
0<p<1: x1−p→∞ (diverges). Converges if and only if p>1.
Problem 8:f(1)=−1<0 and f(2)=3>0. By the Intermediate Value Theorem, a root
exists in (1,2). Since f′(x)=3x2−3=3(x−1)(x+1)>0 for all x∈(1,2), f is
strictly increasing on [1,2], so the root is unique.
Asymptotes. Vertical: x=1 and x=−1 (denominator zero, numerator nonzero). Horizontal: since
degree of numerator equals degree of denominator, y=11=1.
Derivative. By the quotient rule:
dxdy=(x2−1)22x(x2−1)−(x2−4)(2x)=(x2−1)26x
Stationary points.dxdy=0⟹x=0. Substituting: y=4. The second derivative
at x=0 is negative (since y′′=(x2−1)46(x2−1)2−6x⋅2(x2−1)⋅2x,
evaluated at x=0 gives y′′=16=6>0), confirming a local minimum at (0,4).
Intervals.dxdy<0 for x<0 (decreasing), dxdy>0 for x>0
(increasing), within each branch.
Worked Example: Integration by Parts with Definite Integral
Evaluate ∫0π/2xcosxdx.
Solution
Let u=x, dv=cosxdx. Then du=dx, v=sinx.
∫0π/2xcosxdx=[xsinx]0π/2−∫0π/2sinxdx
=2π⋅1−0−[−cosx]0π/2=2π−(0−1)=2π+1
Worked Example: Volume of Revolution with Shells
Find the volume generated when the region bounded by y=x2, y=0, and x=2 is rotated 360∘
about the y-axis.
Solution
Using cylindrical shells about the y-axis:
V=2π∫02x⋅x2dx=2π∫02x3dx=2π[4x4]02=2π⋅4=8π
Worked Example: Implicit Differentiation and Second Derivative
Given x3+y3=6xy, find dxdy and dx2d2y at the point (3,3).
Solution
Differentiating implicitly with respect to x:
3x2+3y2dxdy=6y+6xdxdy
Rearranging: dxdy(3y2−6x)=6y−3x2, so
dxdy=3y2−6x6y−3x2=y2−2x2y−x2
At (3,3): dxdy=9−66−9=3−3=−1.
For the second derivative, differentiate dxdy using the quotient rule, then substitute
x=3, y=3, and dxdy=−1. Alternatively, start from
L'H^opital's rule overuse. Only apply when the limit is genuinely indeterminate (00 or
∞∞). Applying it to determinate forms produces incorrect results.
Second derivative test inconclusiveness. When f′′(a)=0, the test fails. Use a sign chart of
f′ around a (the first derivative test) to classify the stationary point.
Area vs. signed integral.∫abf(x)dx gives the signed area. When the curve
crosses the x-axis, split the integral at each root and take absolute values to find total enclosed
area.
Forgetting substitution limits. In ∫abf(g(x))g′(x)dx, if you substitute
u=g(x), change the limits to g(a) and g(b). Failing to do so and using the original limits
gives the wrong answer.
Chain rule on trigonometric functions.dxd[sin(f(x))]=f′(x)cos(f(x)), not
cos(f(x)). Students frequently omit the inner derivative factor.
Power rule for negative exponents.dxd[x−3]=−3x−4, not −3x−2.
Subtract one from the exponent, then multiply by the original exponent.
Find the coordinates of the point on the curve y=x2+11 where the tangent is parallel to
the line x+8y=1.
Problem 11
Evaluate ∫0π/4sec2xetanxdx.
Problem 12
A cylindrical can with radius r and height h has volume V=πr2h=500cm3. Find the
values of r and h that minimise the surface area A=2πr2+2πrh.
Problem 13
Use the substitution x=3sinθ to evaluate ∫039−x2dx.
Problem 14
Find the equation of the normal to the curve y=x2e−x at the point where x=1.
Problem 15
Show that ∫01x2+4xdx=21ln(45).
Answers to Additional Problems
Problem 9: Write (2x−53x+1)x=exp(xln2x−53x+1). As
x→∞, 2x−53x+1→23, and
xln(23+2(2x−5)13)≈x⋅3(2x)13=613.
The limit is e13/6.
Problem 10: The line x+8y=1 has gradient −81. Differentiating:
dxdy=(x2+1)2−2x. Setting =−81:
(x2+1)216x=1⟹(x2+1)2=16x. Solving: x4+2x2−16x+1=0. By inspection
x=1 is a root: 1+2−16+1=−12=0. Trying x=21:
161+21−8+1=0. Since dxdy=−81 at
x=2: 2516=1. At x=1: 42=21=81. At
x=32−1 check numerically: x≈0.26, dxdy≈−0.48. Solving
numerically gives x≈0.065 and x≈1.48. At x=1.48: dxdy≈−0.124
close to −81=−0.125.
Problem 11: Let u=tanx, so du=sec2xdx. Limits: x=0⟹u=0; x=π/4⟹u=1.
∫01eudu=[eu]01=e−1.
Problem 12: From V=500: h=πr2500. Then
A=2πr2+r1000.
drdA=4πr−r21000=0⟹r3=π250⟹r=(π250)1/3≈4.30cm.
Then h=πr2500=2r≈8.60cm. Checking A′′=4π+r32000>0,
confirming a minimum.
Problem 13: Let x=3sinθ, dx=3cosθdθ. When x=0, θ=0; when x=3,
θ=π/2.
∫0π/23cosθ3cosθdθ=∫0π/2dθ=2π.
Problem 14:y=x2e−x, dxdy=2xe−x−x2e−x=e−x(2x−x2).
At x=1: y=e−1=e1, dxdy=e−1(2−1)=e1.
Normal gradient =−e. Normal equation: y−e1=−e(x−1), i.e. y=−ex+e+e1.
Problem 15: Let u=x2+4, du=2xdx.
∫01x2+4xdx=21∫45udu=21[lnu]45=21ln(45).