Calculus: 1001 Practice Problems For Dummies (+ Free Online Practice)
Book image
Explore Book Buy On Amazon
Solving calculus problems is a great way to master the various rules, theorems, and calculations you encounter in a typical Calculus class. This Cheat Sheet provides some basic formulas you can refer to regularly to make solving calculus problems a breeze (well, maybe not a breeze, but definitely easier).

Useful calculus theorems, formulas, and definitions

Following are some of the most frequently used theorems, formulas, and definitions that you encounter in a calculus class for a single variable. The list isn’t comprehensive, but it should cover the items you’ll use most often.

Limit Definition of a Derivative

image0.png

Definition: Continuous at a number a

image1.png

The Intermediate Value Theorem

image2.png

Definition of a Critical Number

A critical number of a function f is a number c in the domain of f such that either f (c) = 0 or f (c) does not exist.

Rolle’s Theorem

Let f be a function that satisfies the following three hypotheses:

  • f is continuous on the closed interval [a, b].

  • f is differentiable on the open interval (a, b).

  • f(a) = f(b).

Then there is a number c in (a, b) such that f (c) = 0.

The Mean Value Theorem

Let f be a function that satisfies the following hypotheses:

  • f is continuous on the closed interval [a, b].

  • f is differentiable on the open interval (a, b).

    image3.png

Newton’s Method Approximation Formula

Newton’s method is a technique that tries to find a root of an equation. To begin, you try to pick a number that’s “close” to the value of a root and call this value x1. Picking x1 may involve some trial and error; if you’re dealing with a continuous function on some interval (or possibly the entire real line), the intermediate value theorem may narrow down the interval under consideration. After picking x1, you use the recursive formula given here to find successive approximations:

image4.png

A word of caution: Always verify that your final approximation is correct (or close to the value of the root). Newton’s method can fail in some instances, based on the value picked for x1. Any calculus text that covers Newton’s method should point out these shortcomings.

The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus

Suppose f is continuous on [a, b]. Then the following statements are true:

image5.png

image6.png

The Trapezoid Rule

image7.png

where

image8.png

Simpson’s Rule

image9.png

 

image10.png

where n is even and

image11.png

Special limit formulas

Many people first encounter the following limits in a Calculus textbook when trying to prove the derivative formulas for the sine function and the cosine function. These results aren’t immediately obvious and actually take a bit of work to justify. Any calculus text should provide more explanation if you’re interested in seeing it!

image0.png

image1.png

Derivative and integration formulas for hyperbolic functions

The hyperbolic functions are certain combinations of the exponential functions ex and ex. These functions occur often enough in differential equations and engineering that they’re typically introduced in a Calculus course. Some of the real-life applications of these functions relate to the study of electric transmission and suspension cables.

A chart of derivative and integration formulas for hyperbolic functions.

About This Article

This article is from the book:

About the book author:

Patrick Jones has a master’s degree in Mathematics from the University of Louisville. He has taught at University of Louisville, Vanderbilt University, and Austin Community College. Jones now primarily spends his time expanding his Youtube video library as PatrickJMT.

This article can be found in the category: