CALCULUS AB/BC Name __________________________________________

UNIT 5 REVIEW

Important Topics:
• Derivative Tests for Extrema
• Inflection Points and Concavity
• Optimization Problems
• Mean Value Theorem for Derivatives
• Curve Sketching
• Connecting 𝑓, 𝑓 ′ , and 𝑓 ′′ graphs

True or False. Determine whether the statement is true or false. If it is true, explain why. If it is
false, explain why or give a counter-example to disprove the statement.

1. Acceleration is the rate at which velocity 8. There exists a function 𝑓 such that 𝑓(𝑥) > 0,
changes. 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) < 0, and 𝑓 ′′ (𝑥) > 0 for all 𝑥.

2. If 𝑓 has an absolute maximum value at 𝑐, then 9. When 𝑓 ′ (𝑐) = 0, the graph of the function 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑓 ′ (𝑐) = 0. has a local maximum or minimum at 𝑥 = 𝑐.

3. When the velocity of an object is positive, then 10. There exists a function 𝑓 such that 𝑓(1) = −3,
the object is speeding up. 𝑓(4) = 2, and 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) > 1 for all 𝑥.

4. The speed of a particle at 𝑡 = 𝑐 is given by the
value |𝑣(𝑐)|.
5. If 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) < 0 for 1 < 𝑥 < 5 then 𝑓 is decreasing
on (1, 5).
11. If 𝑓 is differentiable and 𝑓(−2) = 𝑓(2) then
there is a number 𝑥 = 𝑐 such that |𝑐| < 2 and
𝑓 ′ (𝑐) = 0.
12. Acceleration means an object is slowing down,
speeding up, or changing direction.

6. If 𝑓 and 𝑔 are increasing on an interval (𝑎, 𝑏) 13. If 𝑓 ′′ (3) = 0, then �3, 𝑓(3)� is a point of
then 𝑓𝑓 is also increasing on the interval (𝑎, 𝑏). inflection of the curve 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥).

7. If a function 𝑓 is continuous on (𝑎, 𝑏), then 𝑓 14. Given a differentiable function 𝑓 such that
attains an absolute maximum value 𝑓(𝑐) and an 𝑓(1) = −3, 𝑓(4) = 6, there exists a value 𝑥 = 𝑐,
absolute minimum value 𝑓(𝑑) at some numbers such that 𝑓 ′ (𝑐) = 3.
𝑐 and 𝑑 in (𝑎, 𝑏).

DERIVATIVE TESTS, CURVE SKETCHING & FUNCTION ANALYSIS

• Relative (Local) Extrema: Relative extrema are the largest or smallest values attained
by a function within a restricted neighborhood. Relative extrema only occur at critical
points (x-values in the domain of the function for which 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 0 or undefined). You can
find relative extrema in two ways:
o First Derivative Test: If the first derivative changes sign from positive to
negative at a critical number, you have a relative maximum. If the first derivative
changes sign from negative to positive at a critical number, you have a relative
minimum. If there is no sign change at a critical number, you have no extremum
there.
 o Second Derivative Test: If the second derivative is positive at a critical number,
you have a relative minimum (Think about it! The function is concave up.) If the
second derivative is negative when evaluated at a critical number, you have a
relative maximum. If the second derivative is zero when evaluated at a critical
number, then you have absolutely NO IDEA whether you have an extremum there
or not. The test fails and you must use the First Derivative Test.

• Absolute (Global) Extrema: Absolute extrema are the absolute largest or smallest
values attained by the function throughout its entire domain. You find absolute extrema
by comparing the endpoint values of the function with the relative extreme values found
at critical numbers. This is known as the candidates test.

• Inflection Points: Inflection points are points at which a curve switches concavity.
Wherever the second derivative changes sign, the function has an inflection point. If the
second derivative does not change sign, you do not have an inflection point.

MULTIPLE CHOICE PROBLEMS:

4
15. The volume of a hot air balloon is given by 𝑉(𝑡) = 3 𝜋(9 − 2𝑡)3 𝑓𝑡 3 /ℎ𝑟. Find the rate of
change of the surface area of the balloon when 𝑡 = 3 hours. Hint: surface area is 4𝜋𝑟 2.

A. −96𝜋 𝑓𝑡 2 /ℎ𝑟 B. −48𝜋 𝑓𝑡 2 /ℎ𝑟

C. −36𝜋 𝑓𝑡 2 /ℎ𝑟 D. −24𝜋 𝑓𝑡 2 /ℎ𝑟

𝑑𝑑
16. A point 𝑃(𝑥, 𝑦) moves on the graph of 𝑦 2 = 2𝑥 3 such that 𝑑𝑑
= 𝑥. Find 𝑑𝑑/𝑑𝑑 at the point
(2, 4).

3 5 2 4
A. B. C. D.
2 2 3 5

17. If 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 2 − 10𝑥 + 7 on −1 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 3, then which of the following is true?

3
A. A critical number of 𝑓 is 5 .
4
B. The absolute minimum of 𝑓 𝑖𝑖 3
C. The absolute minimum is 4.
D. The absolute maximum of 𝑓 is 20.
18. 𝑓(𝑥) = 2 cos 𝑥 + sin 2𝑥 has a relative maximum on [0, 2𝜋] at

𝜋 5𝜋
A. 𝑥 = B. 𝑥 =
6 6

𝜋 2𝜋
C. 𝑥 = D. 𝑥 =
3 3

19. If 𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥 − 2)3 (𝑥 + 1)4, then which of the following is true?

5
A. 𝑓 is increasing on (−∞, 2) B. 𝑓 is increasing on � 7 , 2� only
5
C. 𝑓 is decreasing on �−1, � only D. 𝑓 is increasing on (2, ∞) only
7

20. The set of all numbers 𝑐 in 1 < 𝑥 < 4 satisfying the conclusion of the mean value theorem
4
for the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 𝑥 on the interval 1 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 4 equals

A. 𝑥 = −2, 2 B. 𝑥 = 2, 3

C. 𝑥 = −2 D. 𝑥 = 2

21. If 𝑓(𝑥) = 2 sin 𝑥 + cos 2𝑥 , then which of the following is false on 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 2𝜋 ?

A. The graph of 𝑓 has exactly two points of inflection for 𝑥 on [0, 2𝜋].
𝜋
B. 𝑓 has a local maximum at = 6 .
𝜋
C. 𝑓 has a local minimum at = 2 .
5𝜋
D. 𝑓 has a local maximum at = .
6

1 6
22. What are all values of 𝑥 for which the graph of 𝑦 = 4 + 2 𝑥 + 𝑥 + 6𝑥 2 is concave down?

A. 𝑥 < −1 B. 𝑥 > −1

C. −1 < 𝑥 < 0 D. 0<𝑥<1

 𝑘
23. Find the value of 𝑘 if the graph of 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 2 − 𝑥
has a point of inflection at 𝑥 = −1.

A. 3 B. −3

C. 1 D. none of these

24. The ends of a water trough are 8 feet long are equilateral triangles whose sides are 2 feet long.
If water is being poured into the trough at a rate of 5 𝑓𝑡 3 /𝑚𝑚𝑚, find the rate at which the water
level is rising when the depth is 8 inches.

15√3
A. 15√3 ft/min B. ft/min
4
15√3 15√3
C. ft/min D. ft/min
16 32

1
25. Given 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 + 1 on − 2 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 4, find the absolute maximum and minimum values of
the function.

A. 𝑦 = 17, 𝑦 = 3 B. 𝑦 = 17, 𝑦 = 0

C. 𝑦 = 17, 𝑦 = −3 D. 𝑦 = 1, 𝑦 = −3

26. A rancher has 500 feet of fencing material to build a corral for livestock against the side of a
barn, which will not need any fencing. Find the dimensions of the corral that will maximize the
largest area.

A. 250 feet by 125 feet B. 150 feet by 200 feet

C. 125 feet by 100 feet D. 200 feet by 150 feet

27. Calculator. A particle moves along the x-axis so that at time 𝑡 > 0 its position is given by
𝑥(𝑡) = (2𝑡 − 5)𝑒 𝑡 . At the instant when the acceleration becomes zero, the velocity of the
particle is approximately

A. −0.677 B. −2.426

C. −3.297 D. 6.595
28. A particle moves along the x-axis so that at time 𝑡 > 0 its position is given by
𝑥(𝑡) = 𝑡 4 − 2𝑡 3 − 𝑡 2 + 5. Find the velocity of the particle at the instant when the acceleration
becomes zero.

A. −0.594 B. −4.15

C. 0.152 D. 21.985

29. A 20-foot ladder slides down a wall at a rate of 5 ft/sec. At what rate is the bottom of the ladder
sliding out (in ft/sec) when the top is 10 feet from the ground?

A. 0.346 B. 0.224

C. 4.472 D. 2. 887

CURVE SKETCHING:
The figure at right shows the derivative of 𝒇.
Use it to answer the following questions.
30. What are the critical values of 𝑓?

31. On what interval(s) is 𝑓 increasing? Justify your

answer.

32. For what values of 𝑥 does 𝑓 have relative extrema?

Identify each as a minimum or maximum.

33. Over what intervals is 𝑓 concave down? Justify.

34. Estimate the values of 𝑥 where 𝑓 has a point of inflection.

35. Sketch 𝑓(𝑥) using a red colored pencil if 𝑓(0) = 0. Then sketch 𝑓 ′′ (𝑥) is blue.