AP CALCULUS AB Flashcards

Trigonometric Identities

• Fundamental building blocks for simplifying and solving trigonometric equations.

Derivative Notation (dy/dx)

• Represents the rate of change of y with respect to x in calculus.

Intermediate Value Theorem

• States that a continuous function on an interval [a, b] takes every value between f(a) and f(b).

Extreme Value Theorem

• A continuous function on a closed interval [a,b] must achieve both a maximum and minimum value.

Linear Approximation

• f(x) can be approximated as f(a) + f'(a)(x - a), useful for estimating values near a point.

Finding Average Velocity

• Average velocity is calculated as the total change in position over the total time.

Numerical Differentiation

• Provides an estimate of the derivative using the formula (f(x+h) - f(x)) / h.

Inflection Points

• Occur where the second derivative changes sign; involves finding where f''(x) = 0 and analyzing f(x) values.

Mean Value Theorem

• Guarantees that there exists at least one point c in (a, b) where f'(c) equals the average rate of change from a to b.

Increasing or Decreasing Functions

• If f'(x) > 0, the function is increasing; if f'(x) < 0, it is decreasing.

Concavity of Functions

• If f''(x) > 0, the function is concave up; if f''(x) < 0, it is concave down.

Absolute Maxima and Minima

• Can only occur at critical points or endpoints of a continuous function, ensured by the Extreme Value Theorem.

Differentiation: Product Rule

• The derivative of a product u*v is given by u'v + uv'.

Differentiation: Quotient Rule

• The derivative of a quotient u/v is (u'v - uv') / v^2.

Differentiation: Chain Rule

• Used when differentiating composite functions; if y = f(g(x)), then dy/dx = f'(g(x)) * g'(x).

Differentiation: Inverse Functions

• Allows the calculation of derivatives for inverse functions using the derivative of the original function.

Differentiation: Implicit Functions

• Involves finding derivatives of y that are defined implicitly by an equation involving x and y.

Differentiation: Power Rule

• States that d/dx of x^n = nx^(n-1) for any real number n.

Differentiation: Logarithms

• Key rules include:
  • d/dx of ln|x| = 1/x
  • d/dx of log_a|x| = 1/(ln(a)x)
  • d/dx of ln|f(x)| = f'(x)/f(x)

Differentiation: Trig Functions

• Derivatives of basic trigonometric functions:
  • d/dx(sin(x)) = cos(x)
  • d/dx(cos(x)) = -sin(x)

Related Rates

• Involves differentiating relationships between variables that change with time to find unknown rates.

Optimization with Constraints

• A methodical process to identify optimal solutions subject to certain restrictions using constraints.

Indefinite Integral

• Represents a family of functions whose derivative is the integrand, includes a constant of integration, C.

Definite Integral

• Measures the area under a curve between two specified points, represented as ∫[a,b] f(x) dx.

Fundamental Theorem of Calculus

• Connects differentiation and integration, establishing that the integral of a function can be evaluated using its antiderivative.

Second Fundamental Theorem of Calculus

• Confirms that if F is an antiderivative of f, then ∫[a,b] f(x) dx = F(b) - F(a).

Mean Value Theorem for Integrals (MVT)

• States that for a continuous function on [a, b], there exists at least one c in [a, b] such that f(c) equals the average value of f over the interval.

Integration: Power Rule

• ∫x^n dx = (x^(n+1))/(n+1) + C, valid for n ≠ -1.

Integration: Natural Logarithm

• The antiderivative of u is given by ∫(1/u) du = ln|u| + C.

Integration: Exponential Functions

• The integral of e^x is e^x + C, defining the behavior of the exponential function.

Integration: Trig Functions

• Trigonometric integrals have specific results; refer to specialized integral tables for detailed calculations.

Area Between Curves

• computed by ∫[a,b] (upper function - lower function) dx, represents the region between two curves over an interval.

Volumes of Solids of Revolution

• Volume calculated by rotating a region around an axis, typically using the disk or washer method.

Disk Volume

• V = π∫[a,b] [f(x)]^2 dx, used for solids obtained by rotating a region around the x-axis.

Washer Volume along x-axis

• V = π∫[a,b] ([outer radius]^2 - [inner radius]^2) dx, accounts for hollow regions when rotating.

Washer Volume along y-axis

• Similar to the x-axis, but involves swapping variables to cover rotations around the y-axis.

Cylindrical Shell Volume

• V = 2π∫[a,b] (radius)(height) dx, useful when rotating around vertical lines.

Riemann Sum

• An approximation of the area under a curve using rectangles; involves subdividing the interval into n parts.

Riemann Sum: Trapezoidal

• A more accurate method to estimate area by using trapezoids instead of rectangles, enhancing approximation.

Test your knowledge of key concepts in AP Calculus AB with these flashcards. Learn important terms such as Trig Identities, the Intermediate Value Theorem, and more. Perfect for quick study sessions and mastering calculus fundamentals.