A.

Limits - LHopitals Rule

What you are finding: LHopitals Rule is used to find limits of the form
f ( x)
lim
where lim f ( x ) = limg( x ) = 0 or lim f ( x ) = limg( x ) =  .
x c g( x )
x c
x c
x c
x c
How to find it: Try and find limits by traditional methods (plugging in). If you get


0
or , apply

0

f ( x )
f ( x)
. LHopitals rule can be applied whenever plugging
= lim
x c g( x )
x c g( x )
0 
in creates an indeterminate form: , ,0  ,  ,1 ,0 0 , and  0 . A limit involving 0   or    is found by
0 
creating a quotient out of that expression. A limit involving exponents (1 ,0 0 , or  0 ) involves taking a
natural log of the expression to move the exponent down.
LHopitals rule, which says that lim

e x + cos x  x  2
x 0
x4  x3

1. Find lim
A. 

1
30

B. 

1
24

C. 

1
6

D. 0

E. nonexistent

e x + cos x  x  2 1+ 1 0  2 0
C. lim
=
=
x 0
x4  x3
00
0
x
e  sin x 1 1 0 1 0
lim
=
=
x 0 4 x 3  3x 2
00
0
x
e  cos x 11 0
lim
=
=
x 0 12x 2  6x
00 0
e x  sin x 1 0
1
lim
=
=
x 0 24 x  6
06
6
2. Find lim+ ( x 2 1) ln( x 1)
x 1

A. 0

B.

1
2

C.

1
2

D. -1

A. lim+ ( x 2 1) ln( x 1) =

ln( x 1)

x 1

lim

x 1+

2011 www.mastermathmentor.com

1
x1
2x

( x 1)
2

= lim+
2

x 1

(x

1
x 2 1

1)

2x ( x 1)

-7-

E. nonexistent




( x + 1) ( x 1) = 0
= lim
2

x 1+

2x

Demystifying the BC Calculus MC Exam

e
3. Find lim

x 2

A. 0

t 2 1

dt

x3  4x
B.

e4
12

C.

e3
8

D.

e
C. lim

x 2

t 2 1

dt

x  4x
3

e

t 2 1

dt

88

e
6

E. nonexistent

0
0

e3
e x 1
=
2
x 2 3x  4
8
lim

4. A particle moves in the xy-plane so that the position of the particle at any time t is given by
dy
x ( t ) = cos t and y ( t ) = sin 2 4t . Find lim .
t 0 dx
A. -32

B. -16

A.

C. -8

D. -4

E. 0

dy 8sin 4 x cos 4 x
8sin 4 x cos 4 x 0
=
lim
=
t 0
dx
sin x
0
sin x
2
2
8(4 sin 4 x + 4 cos 4 x )
lim
= 32
t 0
cos x
t

 2
5. A population of bacteria is growing and at any time t, the population is given by 500 1 +
. Find the

t
maximum limit of the population.
A. 500

B. 500 + e

C. 500e

D. 2 + ln500

E. 500e 2

 2 t
 2
E. y = 5001+   ln y = ln500 + t ln1+ 
 t

 t

 2 


ln1+  

 1  2

 2 


t
t2
 = ln500 + lim

 = ln500 + 2
limln500 + t ln1+  = ln500 + lim
t 
t 
t 
2  12 

 t

 1

1+  t

t

t


ln y = ln500 + 2  y = e ln 500+2 = e ln 500  e 2 = 500e 2

2011 www.mastermathmentor.com

-8-

Demystifying the BC Calculus MC Exam

B1. Integration by Parts

What you are finding: When you attempt to integrate an expression, you try all the rules you have been
given to that point - typically power, substitution, and the like. But if these dont work, integration by parts
may do the trick. Integration by parts is usually used when you are need to find the integral of a product.
How to find it: Integration by parts states that  u dv = uv   v du + C . To perform integration by parts, set
u=
v=
up:
. You need to fill in the u and the dv from the original problem. Determine
du =
dv =
du and v, then substitute into the formula. You are replacing one integration problem with another that
might more easily be done with simple methods. The trick is to determine the u and the dv. Functions that
can be powered down are typically the u and functions that have repetitive derivatives (exponential and
trig) are typically the dv.
6.  2x cos 4 x dx =
x
A. sin 4 x + cos 4 x + C
2
C. 8x sin 4 x + 32cos 4 x + C
E.

1
x
sin 4 x + cos 4 x + C
8
2

B.

D. 8x sin 4 x  32cos 4 x + C

x
sin 4 x  cos 4 x + C
2
B. u = 2x

v=

du = 2 dx

1
sin 4 x
4

dv = cos 4 x dx

1

 2x cos 4 x dx = 2x 4 sin 4 x   4 sin 4 x dx

 x
1
1 1
1
= sin 4 x   cos 4 x  = sin 4 x + cos 4 x + C
 2
2
2 4
8
7.

x e

2 2x

dx =

A. e 2x (2x 2  8x + 16) + C
 x2 x 1
C. e 2x     + C
 2 2 2

D. u = x 2

B. e 2x (2x 2  8x + 2) + C
 x2 x 1
D. e 2x   +  + C
 2 2 4

 x3 
E. e 2x   + C
 3

1
v = e 2x
2

du = 2x dx

dv = e 2x dx

u= x

1
v = e 2x
2

xe

2 2x

dx =

x 2 2x
(e ) 
2

xe

2x

dx

x 2 2x  x 2x

(e )   2 (e ) 
2
 x2 x 1
x2
x
11 
= (e 2x )  (e 2x ) +  e 2x = e 2x   + + C
2
22 
2
 2 2 4

du = dx

2011 www.mastermathmentor.com

dv = e 2x dx

x 2e 2x dx =

-9-

2e

2x


dx


Demystifying the BC Calculus MC Exam

8. Let R be the region bounded by the graph of y = 2x ln x , the x-axis and

the line x = e, as shown by the figure to the right. Find the area of
R.
e2 + 1
A.
2
2
e
C.
2

e 2 1
B.
2

E. 2e + 1

D. 2e
e

A. A =  2x ln x dx
1

u = ln x

v = x2

1
du = dx
x

x2
e2 + 1
A = x ln x   x dx = x ln x 
=
1
1
2
2 1
1

dv = 2xdx

9. The shaded region between the graph of y = 2tan1 x and the x-axis for
0  x  1 as shown in the figure is the base of a solid whose cross-sections
perpendicular to the x-axis are squares. Find the volume of the solid.
A.


+ ln2 1
4

B.  + e  ln2

C.   ln2


 ln2
4

D.
1

E. V = 

E.


 ln2
2

2tan x dx =  2tan 1 x dx
1

1

u = tan x

v = 2x
1

1
dx
du =
1+ x2

 2tan

dv = 2 dx

1

= 2x tan 1 x  ln 1 + x 2

1
0

= 2tan 1 1 ln2 =

2x
2 dx
1
+
x
0

x dx = 2x tan x  
1


 ln2
2

10. The function f is twice-differentiable and its derivatives are continuous. The table below gives the
2

value of f , f  and f  for x = 0 and x = 2. Find the value of

x
0
2

f ( x)
3
5

f ( x)
6
1

f  ( x )
2
4
2

C.

 x f ( x ) dx .
0

A. -10

B. -8

C. 6

D. 14

E. 16

 x f ( x ) dx = [ xf ( x )]0   f ( x ) = 2 f (2)  0 f (0)  [ f (2)  f (0)]

0

2(1)  [5  3] = 2 + 8 = 6
2011 www.mastermathmentor.com

- 10 -

Demystifying the BC Calculus MC Exam

B2. Integration using Partial Fractions

What you are finding: When you attempt to integrate a fraction, typically you let u be the expression in the
denominator and hope that du will be in the numerator. When this doesnt happen, the technique of partial
dx
fractions may work. One form of this type of problem is  2
where x 2 + mx + n factors into two
x + mx + n
non-repeating binomials.
dx
How to find it: Use the Heaviside method. Factor your denominator to get 
. You need to
( x + a)( x + b)
1
write
as
. To find the numerator of the x + a expression, cover up the x + a in
+
( x + a)( x + b) x + a x + b
1
expression, and plug in x = a. To find the numerator of the x + b expression, cover up the
( x + a)( x + b)
1
x + b in
expression, and plug in x = b. From there, each expression can be integrated.
( x + a)( x + b)

11.

x

A.

4x + 2
dx =
+ 4x + 3

1
ln x 2 + 4 x + 3 + C
2

C. 5ln x + 3  ln x + 1 + C

B. 2ln x 2 + 4 x + 3 + C
5

x+3
+C
E. ln
x +1

D. ln x + 1  5ln x + 3 + C

C. u - substitution doesn't work here. u = x 2 + 4 x + 3,du = (2x + 4 ) dx

x

4x + 2
4x + 2
dx = 
dx
+ 4x + 3
( x + 3)( x + 1)

10
2
4x + 2
= 2 + 2 
( x + 3)( x + 1) x + 3 x + 1

12. Use the substitution u = cos x to find

A. ln cos x 1 + C
D. ln

 5

1 

 x + 3 + x + 1  dx = 5ln x + 3  ln x + 1 + C
sin x

 cos x (cos x 1)

dx .

B. ln cos x 1 + C

1 cos x
+C
cos x

E. ln

1

du

u(u 1)

  u 1  u  du = ln u 1 ln u = ln
2011 www.mastermathmentor.com

cos x 1
+C
cos x

cos x
+C
cos x 1

D. u = cos x,du = sin x dx 

 1

C. ln

- 11 -

u 1
cos x 1
= ln
+C
u
cos x
Demystifying the BC Calculus MC Exam

13.

x3
dx =
x2 1

x 2 + ln

x
+ 2ln x 2 1 + C
2
x 2 + (ln x 1 + ln x + 1 )
D.
+C
2

A.

2
5
x+3
+C
E. ln
x +1

D. x 1 x
2

B.

x x
x
3

x +1
x 1

+C

C.

x2
2ln x 2 1 + C
2

x3
x 

dx =  x + 2
dx
2

x 1
x 1

1
 12

x 
x2
x2 1

2
  x + x 2 1 dx = 2 +   x 1 + x + 1  dx = 2 + 2 (ln x 1 + ln x + 1)

x 2 + (ln x 1 + ln x + 1 )
+ C (could also be done with u - sub)
2

14. Region R is defined as the region between the graph

9
of y = 2
, x = 2 and the x-axis as shown in the
x + x 2
figure to the right. Find the area of region R.
A. ln12
C. 3ln

1
4

B. 1+ 3ln 4
D. 6ln2

E. infinite


D. A = 

9
9
dx = 
dx
2
(
)
(
)
x
+
2
x

1
x + x 2
2
9

( x 1)( x + 2)


3
3

x 1 x + 2


x 1
 ( x 1)( x + 2) dx = 3ln x 1 3ln x + 2 = 3ln x + 2 2
2
9

= 3ln1 3ln

2011 www.mastermathmentor.com

1
= 0 3(ln1 ln 4 ) = 3ln 4 = 3ln2 2 = 6ln2
4

- 12 -

Demystifying the BC Calculus MC Exam

C. Improper Integrals


What you are finding: An improper integral is in the form

f ( x ) dx or

f ( x ) dx or

 f ( x ) dx. It also can

be in the form

 f ( x ) dx where there is at least one value c such that a  c  b for which f ( x ) is not
a

continuous.
How to find it: Improper integrals are just limit problems in disguise:
b

 f ( x ) dx = alim   f ( x ) dx .
b

into two pieces:


a

lim  f ( x ) dx or
 f ( x ) dx = b


In the case where there is a discontinuity at x = c, the improper integral is split

k

f ( x ) dx = lim  f ( x ) dx + lim+  f ( x ) dx. Improper integrals usually go hand-in-hand

k c

k c

with area and volume problems.

15. Which of the following are convergent?


I.

1
dx
x

II.

A. I only

B. II only

 xe

4 x

x3

dx

D. II and III only E. I, II and III


1
dx = 2 x which is divergent
1
x

1
1
dx = 2 x = 2
0
x

1
1

16.

III.

C. III only

D.

1
dx
x

1
x3

dx =

2
x

=2
1

dx =

A.

1
16

B.

B.

1
16

u= x

C. -16
v=

du = dx


D. 16

E. infinite

1 4 x
e
4

dv = e 4 x dx

1 4 x
 x 4 x 
4 x
 xe dx =  4 e 0 +  4 e dx =
0
0

1
1
 x 
 1 


=
0

0

0

=
4
x
4
x
 4e 
 16e 
 16  16
0
0

2011 www.mastermathmentor.com

- 13 -

Demystifying the BC Calculus MC Exam

4
17. The region bounded by the graph of y = , the line x = 4 and the x - axis is rotated about the x-axis.
x
Find the volume of the solid.
A. 

B. 2

C. 4


D. 16


E. infinite


16
 4
dx =   16x 2 dx =
 x
x 4
4
4

C. V =  

V = 0 + 4 = 4


18.

1
dx =
x ( x + 1)

A.


4

B.

B. u =


2

C. 

x  du =

1
2 x

D. 2


dx  

E. infinite

1
1
dx = 2 
dx =
2 x ( x + 1)
x ( x + 1)
1



1
du
x = 1,u = 1, x = ,u =  2 
dx =2  2
= 2tan 1 u
1
u +1
2 x ( x + 1)
1
1

 
  
= 2tan 1   2tan 1 1 = 2
2
=
 2

 4
2

19. To the right is a graph of f ( x ) =

A. 0
D.

B.

1
6

( x 1)

. Find the value of

f ( x ) dx .

2

1
3

C. 

1
3

E. Divergent

E.

3
3
3
 ( x  1) dx =  ( x  1) dx +  ( x  1) dx

2

2

 1 
 1 
=
+
2

2
 Both calculations are divergent.
(
)
(
)
2
x

1
2
x

1

2 
1

2011 www.mastermathmentor.com

- 14 -

Demystifying the BC Calculus MC Exam

D. Eulers Method
What you are finding: Eulers Method provides a numerical procedure to approximate the solution of a
differential equation with a given initial value.
How to find it: 1) Start with a given initial point (x, y) on the graph of the function and a given x = dx.
2) Calculate the slope using the DEQ at the point.
dy
3) Calculate the value of dy using the fact that dy  x .
dx
4) Find the new values of y and x: y new = y old + dy and x new = x old + x
5) Repeat the process at step 2).
There are calculator programs available to perform Eulers Method. Typically, Euler Method problems occur
in the non-calculator section where only one or two steps of the method need to be performed.

dy
= x + y 2 with the initial condition that
dx
f ( 3) = 1. What is the approximation for f ( 4 ) if Eulers Method is used, starting at x = 3 with a step
size of 0.5?

20. Let y = f ( x ) be the solution to the differential equation

A. 2.25

B. 3.25

C. 4.5
x
B.

D. 5.5
y

3
1
3.5
1
4 3.25

dy dx
4
4.5

E. 12.5

dy
2
2.25

dy
= y x with initial condition f (0) = k ,
dx
k a constant, k  0. If Eulers method with 3 steps of equal size starting at x = 0 gives the
approximation f ( 3)  0 , find the value of k.

21. Let y = f ( x ) be a solution to the differential equation

A. 

1
2

B.

1
2

C. 1
x

dy dx

k 1

dy
1

k
4k 2

k
4k 2

A. 1
k
2
2k
3 2k + 4k 2

2011 www.mastermathmentor.com

E. 

D. -1

- 15 -

3
2

2k + 4k 2 = 0
2k (1+ 2k ) = 0
1
k = 0,k = 
2

Demystifying the BC Calculus MC Exam

dy y
= with initial condition f (2) = 4 . Find the difference
dx x
between the exact value of f (8) and an Euler approximation of f (8) using a step of 0.5.

22. Consider the differential equation

A. 0

B. 1

C. 2

D. 25

E. 50

dy dx

dy

dy dx
=
 ln y = ln x + C
x
y
ln x +C
 y = Cx  4 = 2C  C = 2
y =e

y = 2x  y = 2(25) = 50 Difference = 50  50 = 0

A. 2.5
3

8 16
Students should see that each y will be twice the value of x and not perform
Euler over and over again.

dy
= cos x with initial condition f (0) = 0 . Find the
dx


difference between the exact value of f   and an Euler approximation of f   using two equal
 2
 2
steps.

23. (Calc) Consider the differential equation

A. 0

B. 0.230

C. 0.341

dy dx

C. 
4


4

2
2


2

D. 0.555

E. 0.707

dy
 
1
=
 4 4
 2     2


=
8
 2  4

  2
+
4
8

dy
= cos x  y = sin x + C
dx
0 = sin0 + C  C = 0

  2
 0 = 0.341
y = sin x  y = sin
= 1 Difference = +
2
4
8

2011 www.mastermathmentor.com

- 16 -

Demystifying the BC Calculus MC Exam

E. Logistic Curves
What you are finding: Logistic curves occur when a quantity is growing at a rate
proportional to itself and the room available for growth. This room available is called
the carrying capacity. The curve has a distinctive S-shape where the initial stage of
growth is exponential, then slows, and eventually the growth essentially stops.
How to find it: Logistic growth is signaled by the differential equation

dP
= kP ( P  t ) . While this DEQ
dt

C
, students are not responsible for that equation. They need to know how to
1+ deCkt
d 2P
determine the time when the logistic growth is the fastest. This is accomplished by
= 0 . Also students
dt 2
need to know that the curve has a horizontal asymptote meaning lim P ( t ) = C (the carrying capacity) .
can be solved into P ( t ) =

t 

24. A population of students having contracted the flu in a school year is modeled by a function P that
P 
P 
dP
=
satisfies the logistic differential equation with
2 
 . If P (0) = 100, find lim P ( t ) .
t 
dt 600  800 
A. 400
B. 800
C. 1,600
D. 2,400
E. 4,800

C. Since this is logistic, there is a horizontal asymptote to P ( t ) and thus

dP
=0
dt

P
P 
P 
dP
=
 P = 1600.
=0 2
2 
800
dt 600  800
25. A population is modeled by a function G that satisfies the logistic differential equation
dG G  G 
= 1  . If G(0) = 1, for what value of G is the population growing the fastest?
e  4e 
dt
A. 4
B. e
C. 2e
D. 4e
E. 4e 2
dG G  G  G G 2
C.
= 1  =  2
dt
e  4e e 4e
d 2G 1 G
=  2 = 0  eG = 2e 2  P = 2e (half the carrying capacity)
2
dt
e 2e

dy
= ky ( L  y ) . Let y = f ( x ) be the particular solution to the
dx
differential equation with f (0) = 2 . If x  0 , find the range of f ( x ) .
A. (0,L)
B. (0,2)
C. ( L,2]
D. [2,L)
E. [2,kL)

26. Consider the differential equation

dy
= ky ( L  y ) = 0
dx
y = 0 and y = L. So the graph of f ( x ) has horizontal asymptotes along the x - axis and the

D. You must recognize this DEQ as a logistic one. So

line y = L. But since x  0, the range is [2,L). Not recognizing the logistic equation
would involve you solving the DEQ which is time consuming and unnecessary.
2011 www.mastermathmentor.com

- 17 -

Demystifying the BC Calculus MC Exam

F. Arc Length
What you are finding: Given a function on an interval [a, b], the arc length is defined as the total length of
the function from x = a to x = b. For this section, we will only concentrate on curves that are defined in
function form. Functions defined parametrically, in polar or in vector-valued forms have their own formulas.
How to find it: The arc length of a continuous function f ( x ) over an interval [a, b] is given by
b

L =
1 + [ f  ( x )] dx . Most problems involving arc length need calculators because of the difficulty of
2

integrating the expression.

27. (Calc) An ant walks around the first quadrant region R bounded by the
y-axis, the line y = 2x and the curve f ( x ) = 6  4 x 3 2 as shown in the
figure to the right. Find the distance the ant walked.

A. 4.149

B. 10.312

C. 11.485

D. 11.881

E. 12.385

E. First, it is necessary to find the intersection point of the two curves.

6  4 x 3 2 = 2x at x = 1.
The distance between (0,0) and (0,6) is 6 and from (0,0) to (1,2) is 5
1

D = 6 +  1 + [ f  ( x )] dx + 5
0
1

D = 6 +  1 + 6 x dx + 5 = 6 +  1 + 36x dx + 5
0

D = 6 + 4.149 + 2.236 = 12.385

8

28. If the length of a curve from x = 2 to x = 8 is given by

1 + 81x 4 dx , and the curve passes through

the point (-1, 4), which of the following could be the equation for the curve?
A. y = 13  9x 2
D. y = 1 3x 3

C.

[ f ( x )]

B. y = 4  3x 3
E. y = 9x 2  5
2

C. y = 7 + 3x 3

= 81x 4  f ( x ) = 9x 2 and f ( x ) = 3x 3 + C

f (1) = 3(1) + C = 4  3 + C = 4 and C = 7 or 3 + C = 4 and C = 1.

3

So y = 7 + 3x 3 or y = 4  3x 3

2011 www.mastermathmentor.com

- 18 -

Demystifying the BC Calculus MC Exam

29. (Calc) The yellow bird in the popular game

1
Angry Birds flies along the path y = 4 + 3x  x 2
2
when x  0. When x = 4 (the point on the figure to the
right), the player touches the screen and the bird leaves
the path and travels along the line tangent to the path at
that point. If the bird crashes into the x-axis, find the
total distance the bird flies.
A. 6.800

B. 11.314

D. 15.461

E. 18.114

C. 12.000

E. y  = 3  x  y  ( 4 ) = 1.

y ( 4 ) = 4 + 12  8 = 8

Tangent line : y  8 = 1( x  4 )  y = 12  x

4

Length : L =  1 + ( 3  x ) dx +
2

12

1 + (1) dx = 18.114
2

30. (Calc) The graphs of i) y = x 2 , ii) y = x and iii) y = 2 x 1 all pass through the points (0,0) and
(1,1). Find the difference in arc length from the largest arc length to the shortest arc length of these
functions on the interval [0,1].
A. 0.058

B. 0081

C. 0.284

D. 0.361

A. i) d =
1 + 4 x dx = 1.479
0

iii)

31. Find the arc length of the graph of x =

B. 10

A. x  =

1 2
y +2
2
3

1 + 2 x ln2 dx = 1.421

A. 12

D. 3 3

(2y ) = y ( y 2 + 2)

1.479  1.421 = 0.058.

32
1 2
y + 2) for 0  y  3.
(
3

C. 6
12

E.

12

L =  1 + y y + 2 dy =  y + 2y + 1 dy = 
2

1
dx = 1.479
4x

ii) d =
1 +

E. 0.419

(y

+ 1 dy =  y 2 + 1 dy
0


 y3
L =  + y = 9 + 3 = 12
0
3

2011 www.mastermathmentor.com

- 19 -

Demystifying the BC Calculus MC Exam

G. Parametric Equations
What you are finding: Parametric equations are continuous functions of t in the form x = f ( t ) and y = g( t ) .
Taken together, the parametric equations create a graph where the points x and y are independent of each
other and both dependent on the parameter t (which is usually time). Parametric curves when graphed do not
have to be functions. Typically, it is necessary to take derivatives of parametrics. Since the study of vectors
parallels the study of parametrics, in this section we will only analyze the very few problems that are not
associated with motion in the plane.
How to find it: If a smooth curve C is given by the parametric equations x = f ( t ) and y = g( t ) , then the
dy
dy
slope of C at the point (x, y) is given by
= dt , dx dt  0 .
dx dx
dt
d  dy 
 
2
d y d  dy  dt  dx 
=
=
The 2nd derivative of the curve is given by
.
 
dx
dx 2 dx  dx 
dt
t= b
2
2
 dx 
 dy 
The arc length is given by L = 
+
dt. The curve must be smooth and may not intersect itself.
 dt 
 dt 
t= a
32. What is the area under the curve described by the parametric equations x = 2cos t and y = 3sin 2 t for
0  t  ?
A. 4

B. 8

C.

11
4

D.

11
2

E.

4
3

x
x2
y
2
B. cos t =  cos t =
and sin 2 t =
2
3
4
2
x
y
3
Since sin 2 t + cos 2 t = 1 
+ =1 y = 3 x2
4
4 3
When t = 0, x = 2 and when t = , x = 2


3 2
x3
A =   3  x
dx = 3x   = 6  2  (6 + 2) = 8

4
4 2

2
2

33. A position of a particle moving in the xy-plane is given by x = t 3  6t 2 + 9t + 1 and

y = 2t 3  9t 2  2 . For what values of t is the particle at rest?
A. 0 only

B. 1 only
C.

C. 3 only

D. 0 and 1 only

E. 0, 1 and 3

dx
= 3t 2 12t + 9 = 3( t 2  4t + 3) = 3( t 1)( t  3) = 0  t = 1,t = 3
dt
dy
= 6t 2 18t = 6t ( t  3) = 0  t = 0,t = 3
dt
dy
dx
= 0 and
= 0 at t = 3.
dt
dt

2011 www.mastermathmentor.com

- 20 -

Demystifying the BC Calculus MC Exam

34. A curve C is defined by the parametric equations x = t 2  t  4 and y = t 3  7t  2 . Which of the

following is the equation of the line tangent to the graph of C at the point (2, 4) ?
A. y = 6  x

B. x  4 y + 14 = 0

C. 5x  3y + 2 = 0

D. y = 4 x  4

E. No tangent line at (2, 4)

D. x = t 2  t  4 = 2  t 2  t  6 = 0  ( t  3)( t + 2) = 0  t = 3,t = 2
y = t 3  7t  2 = 4  t 3  7t  6 = 0
dy
=
dx

dy
dt
dx
dt

Only t = 3 satisfies this equation.

3t  7
dy
27  7

=
=4
2t 1
dx [ t= 3]
6 1
2

Tangent line : y  4 = 4 ( x  2)  y = 4 x  4
35. Describe the behavior of curve C defined by the parametric equations
1
x = 1+ and y = t 3 + 2t 2  t 1 at t = 1.
t
A. Increasing, concave up
C. Increasing, concave down
E. Increasing, no concavity
dy
B.
=
dx

dy
dt
dx
dt

B. Decreasing, concave up
D. Decreasing, concave down

3t 2 + 4t 1
dy
= 3t 4  4t 3 + t 2 
< 1 so C is decreasing
1
dx [ t=1]
t2

( )

dy
d 2 y d dx
12t 3 12t 2 + 2t
d2y
5
4
3
=
=
=
12t
+
12t

2t

> 0 so C is concave up
dx
1
dx 2
dx 2 [ t=1]
dt
t2

36. Find the expression which represents the length L of the path described by the parametric equations

x = sin 2 (2t ) and y = cos( 3t ) for 0  t  .
2
2

A. L =

2

2sin2t cos2t  3sin 3t dt

16sin 2 4t 2 cos 2 4t 2 + 9sin 2 9t 2 dt

16sin 2 2t cos 2 2t + 9sin 2 3t dt

B. L =

0
2

C. L =

4 sin 2 4t 2 + 9sin 2 9t 2 dt

4 sin 2 2t cos 2 2t + 9sin 2 3t dt

0
2

D. L =

0
2

E. L =

E.

dx
= 4 sin2t cos2t
dt

dy
= 3sin 3t
dt

2

L=

16sin 2 2t cos 2 2t + 9sin 2 3t dt

2011 www.mastermathmentor.com

- 21 -

Demystifying the BC Calculus MC Exam

H. Vector-Valued Functions
What you are finding: While concepts like unit vectors, dot products, and angles between vectors are
important for multivariable calculus, vectors in BC calculus are little more than parametric equations in
disguise.
How to find it: Typically, you will be given a situation where an object is moving in the plane. You could be
given either its position vector x ( t ) and y ( t ) , its velocity vector x ( t ) and y ( t ) or its acceleration vector
x  ( t ) and y  ( t ) and use the basic derivative or integral relationships that have been taught in AB calculus to
find the other vectors. The one formula that students should know is that the speed of the object is defined
as the absolute value of the velocity: v ( t ) =

[ x (t )] + [ y (t )]
2

. The speed is a scalar, not a vector.

37. A particle moves on a plane curve such that at any time t > 0, its x-coordinate is t  t 2 + t 3 while its
2
y-coordinate is (2  t 2 ) . Find the magnitude of the particles acceleration at t = 1.
A. 4

B.

C. 2 2

D. 3 2

E. 4 2

E. v ( t ) = 1 2t + 3t 2 ,2(2  t 2 )(2t ) = 1 2t + 3t 2 ,4t 3  8t

a( t ) = 6t  2,12t 2  8

a(1) = 4,4

a(1) = 4 2 + 4 2 = 4 2

38. The position of an object moving in the xy-plane with position function r ( t ) = 1+ sin t,t + cos t ,
t  0. What is the maximum speed attained by the object?
A. 1

B.
C. v ( t ) =

C. 2

[ x (t )] + [ y (t )]
2

E. 2 2

D. 4

= cos2 t + (1 sin t )

v ( t ) = cos2 t + 1 2sin t + sin 2 t = 2  2sin t

Calculus techniques could be used to maximize this expression but since sin t
has minimum/maximum values of 1 and 1, the speed will range from 0 to 4 = 2.

39. A xy-plane has both its x and y-coordinates measured in inches. An ant is walking along this plane
with its position vector as 2t 3 2 ,3t 1 , t measured in minutes. What is the average speed of the ant
measured in inches per minute from t = 0 to t = 3 minutes?
A. 1

B.
3

B. L = 

14
3

C.
2

3 1

D. 3
3

E. 9

 dx 
 dy 
32
+
dt =  9t + 9 dt = 3 t + 1 dt = 2( t + 1)
 dt 
 dt 
0

3
0

= 2(8  1) = 14

L 14
Avg velocity = =
in min
3 3
2011 www.mastermathmentor.com

- 22 -

Demystifying the BC Calculus MC Exam

40. An object moving in the xy-plane has position function r ( t ) =

1
2
, t  0.
2 ,t  6ln( t + 2)
(t + 1)

Describe the motion of the object.

A. Left and up
D. Right and down
E.

B. Left and down

E. Depend on the value of t

C. Right and up

dx
2
=
which is always negative when t  0 so object moving left
dt ( t + 1) 3

2
6
2t 2 + 4t  6 2( t + 2t  3) 2( t + 3)( t 1)
dy
= 2t 
=
=
=
t+2
t+2
dt
t+2
t+2
dy
changes sign at t = 1 so y changes direction at t = 1.
dt

41. An object moving along a curve in the xy-plane has position ( x ( t ), y ( t )) at time t with
dy
dx
= 8t + 2 and
= sin2t for t  0.
dt
dt

At time t = 0, the object is at position (5, ). Where is the object at t = ?
2
2
2
A. ( +  + 5,)
B. ( +  + 5, + 1)
C. (2 + 5, + 1)
 1
E. (2 + 5, )
D. 2, 
 2
B. x = 4t 2 + 2t + C1  x (0) = C1 = 5  x = 4t 2 + 2t + 5
1
1
1
1
1
y =  cos2t + C2  y (0) =  + C2 =   C2 =  +  y =  cos2t +  +
2
2
2
2
2
2
 


1
1
x = 4 + 2 + 5 = 2 + 5
y =  (1) +  + =  + 1
 2
2

 2

 2

2
2

( x, y ) t=  2 = ( 2 +  + 5, + 1)

42. (Calc) An object moving along a curve in the xy-plane has position ( x ( t ), y ( t )) at time t with
2
dy
dx
= t 2 + 3t + 1 and
= e t 1 for t  0.
dt
dt
At time t = 0, the object is at position (-6, -7). Find the position of the object at t = 2.
A. (4.667, 13.053)
D. (4.427, 6.053)

B. (-3.683, 12.718)
E. (-1.573, -0.947)
2

C. (2.317, 19.718)

E. x (2) = x (0) +  x  ( t ) dt = 6 +  x 2 + 3x + 1 dt = 1.573

0

y (2) = y (0) +  y  ( t ) dt = 7 +  e t
0

( x (2), y (2)) = (1.573,0.947)

2011 www.mastermathmentor.com

- 23 -

1

dt = 0.947

Demystifying the BC Calculus MC Exam