AP® Calculus AB Ultimate Review Packet

Unit 2 Practice Questions ANSWERS & EXPLANATIONS

1. Given that f (x) is a continuous and differentiable function for all real
numbers, which of the following would give the instantaneous rate of
change of f (x) when x = 4?

I. f′(4)
f (4 + h) − f (4)
II. lim
h→0 h
f (x) − f (4)
III. lim
x→4 x−4
A I only B I and II

C II and III D I, II, and III

Solution: D

We need to make the link that the instantaneous rate of change of a

function is the derivative of the function at x = 4.

Statement I is true because it’s proper notation for the derivative of f at

the point x = 4. Statement II is true because this is the limit definition of the
derivative for the function f (x) when x = 4. Statement III is true because this
is the first step in using the alternate form of the definition of the
derivative. Therefore, all three statements are true.

cos(π + h) + 1
2. lim
h→0 h
A 0 B 1

C −1 D Does not exist

© Krista King Math - Please do not share online. Requires license for classroom use.
 AP® Calculus AB Ultimate Review Packet
Unit 2 Practice Questions ANSWERS & EXPLANATIONS

Solution: A

The expression is in the form of the limit definition of the derivative,

f (x + h) − f (x)
f′(x) = lim
h→0 h
The cos(π + h) term tells us that we’re looking at the derivative of the
function f (x) = cos x, evaluated at π. We can confirm this by realizing that
f (π) = − 1, which is why we’re seeing the +1 in the numerator.

To find f′(π), we’ll take the derivative of f (x) = cos x,

f′(x) = − sin x

and then evaluate at x = π.

f′(π) = − sin π

f′(π) = 0

3. Let f be the function defined as f (x) = x x+1. Select values of f (x) are
given in the table below. If the values in the table are used to approximate
f (2.5), what is the difference between the estimate and the actual value?

x 2 3
f(x) 8 81

A 0 B −12.724

C 48.295 D 15.775

Solution: C

© Krista King Math - Please do not share online. Requires license for classroom use.
 AP® Calculus AB Ultimate Review Packet
Unit 2 Practice Questions ANSWERS & EXPLANATIONS

First use the difference quotient and the values in the table to find an
estimate of f (2.5).
f (3) − f (2) 81 − 8
f (2.5) ≈ = = 73
3−2 1
Then use a calculator to find the exact value value of f (2.5).

f (2.5) = 2.52.5+1

f (2.5) = 2.53.5

f (2.5) ≈ 24.705

So the difference between the estimated value and the actual value is

73 − 24.705 ≈ 48.295

4. Which of the following statements cannot be true?

A A function is non-differentiable at x = c and the limit from the

left and right at x = c are equal.

B A function is discontinuous and differentiable at a point x = c.

C A function is continuous and non-differentiable at a point x = c

D A function is continuous and differentiable at a point x = c.

Solution: B

Even when the left- and right-hand limits are equal at a point, there could
be a point discontinuity there, so choice A could be true.

© Krista King Math - Please do not share online. Requires license for classroom use.
 AP® Calculus AB Ultimate Review Packet
Unit 2 Practice Questions ANSWERS & EXPLANATIONS

For a function to be differentiable it must be continuous, but a function

can be continuous without being differentiable (like at a cusp), so choice B
cannot be true, but choice C can be.

Choice D is commonly true, functions are very often differentiable where

they’re continuous.

5. Given that the graph of f consists of semi-circles and line segments,

which of the following statements is false?

A f (x) is not differentiable when x = − 3 because there is a vertical

tangent line.

B f (x) is not differentiable when x = − 4 and when x = − 2 because

there is a horizontal tangent line.

C f (x) is not differentiable when x = − 1 because there is a cusp.

D f (x) is not differentiable when x = 1 because there is a

discontinuity.

© Krista King Math - Please do not share online. Requires license for classroom use.
 AP® Calculus AB Ultimate Review Packet
Unit 2 Practice Questions ANSWERS & EXPLANATIONS

Solution: B

At x = − 3 the function has a vertical tangent line and is therefore not

differentiable, so answer choice A is true.

At x = − 4 and x = − 2, the function does have horizontal tangent lines. But

a function is differentiable at horizontal tangent lines. The derivative is 0,
but 0 isn’t an undefined value. So answer choice B is false.

At x = − 1 the function has a cusp and is therefore not differentiable, so

answer choice C is true.

At x = 1 the function is discontinuous and is therefore not differentiable, so

answer choice D is true.

6. Find the derivative of y = 3x 7 − 9x 2 + 21.

A y′ = 21x −6 − 18x B y′ = 3x(7x 5 − 6x)

C y′ = 21x 8 − 18x 2 D y′ = 21x 6 − 18x

Solution: D

Apply power rule to differentiate the equation, one term at a time.

y′ = 3(7)x 7−1 − 9(2)x 2−1 + 0

y′ = 21x 6 − 18x 1

y′ = 21x 6 − 18x

© Krista King Math - Please do not share online. Requires license for classroom use.
 AP® Calculus AB Ultimate Review Packet
Unit 2 Practice Questions ANSWERS & EXPLANATIONS

3
7. If f (x) = x+ , then find f′(4).
x
1 5
A f′(4) = B f′(4) =
16 16
7 7
C f′(4) = D f′(4) =
2 16

Solution: A

Rewrite the function using fractional exponents.

1
− 12
f (x) = x + 3x
2

Apply power rule.

( 2)
1 −1 1 3
f′(x) = x 2 +3 − x− 2
2
1 3
f′(x) = 1
− 3
2x 2 2x 2
1 3
f′(x) = −
2 x 2( x)3

Evaluate the derivative at x = 4 to find f′(4).

1 3
f′(4) = −
2 4 2( 4)3
1 3
f′(4) = −
2(2) 2(2)3

© Krista King Math - Please do not share online. Requires license for classroom use.
 AP® Calculus AB Ultimate Review Packet
Unit 2 Practice Questions ANSWERS & EXPLANATIONS

1 3
f′(4) = −
4 16
4 3
f′(4) = −
16 16
1
f′(4) =
16

d
8. Evaluate 3 cos x.
dx
A 3 sin x B −sin(3x)

C sin(3x) D −3 sin x

Solution: D

Apply the rule for the derivative of the cosine function.

d
(cos u) = − sin u
dx
d
(3 cos x) = − 3 sin x
dx

9. The graphs of f and g are shown below and consist only of line
segments. Given that h(x) = f (x)g(x), what is the value of h′(1)?

© Krista King Math - Please do not share online. Requires license for classroom use.
 AP® Calculus AB Ultimate Review Packet
Unit 2 Practice Questions ANSWERS & EXPLANATIONS

1
A − B −4
2
33
C 7 D
2

Solution: B

Apply the product rule to find h′(x),

h′(x) = f′(x)g(x) + f (x)g′(x)

then evaluate at x = 1.

h′(1) = f′(1)g(1) + f (1)g′(1)

The values of f (1) and g(1) are given by the y-values on the graph, and f′(1)
and g′(1) are given by the slopes at x = 1.

© Krista King Math - Please do not share online. Requires license for classroom use.
 AP® Calculus AB Ultimate Review Packet
Unit 2 Practice Questions ANSWERS & EXPLANATIONS

11
f (1) = 5.5 = g(1) = 3
2

1
f′(1) = g′(1) = − 1
2

Substituting into the derivative gives

1 11
h′(1) = (3) + (−1)
2 2

3 11
h′(1) = −
2 2

8
h′(1) = −
2

h′(1) = − 4

x2 − x + 1
10. Find the derivative of y = .
x2 + 1

x2 − 1 x−1
A y′ = 2 B y′ = 2
(x + 1)2 (x + 1)2
x2 − 1 x2
C y′ = 2 D y′ = 2
x +1 (x + 1)2

Solution: A

© Krista King Math - Please do not share online. Requires license for classroom use.
 AP® Calculus AB Ultimate Review Packet
Unit 2 Practice Questions ANSWERS & EXPLANATIONS

Apply the quotient rule to find the derivative.

f′(x)g(x) − f (x)g′(x)
y′ =
[g(x)]2

(2x − 1)(x 2 + 1) − (x 2 − x + 1)(2x)

y′ =
(x 2 + 1)2

Simplify the derivative.

(2x 3 + 2x − x 2 − 1) − (2x 3 − 2x 2 + 2x)

y′ =
(x 2 + 1)2

2x 3 + 2x − x 2 − 1 − 2x 3 + 2x 2 − 2x
y′ =
(x 2 + 1)2

x2 − 1
y′ = 2
(x + 1)2

π
11. Given y = tan x, what is the equation of the tangent line at x = ?
4
π
A y = − (x + 1) B y =x+1
2

( ) ( )
π 1 π
C y =2 x− +1 D y= x− +1
4 2 4

Solution: C

© Krista King Math - Please do not share online. Requires license for classroom use.
 AP® Calculus AB Ultimate Review Packet
Unit 2 Practice Questions ANSWERS & EXPLANATIONS

π
Substitute x = into the function.
4
π
y = tan =1
4

Find the derivative,

y′ = sec2 x
π
then evaluate the derivative at x = to find the slope of the tangent line.
4

π 2 1 1 1 4
m = sec = π = = = =2

( )
4 cos2 4 2
2 2 2
4
2

The the tangent line equation is

( 4)
π
y−1=2 x−

( 4)
π
y =2 x− +1

12. Find the values of a and b that make the function differentiable.

{bx − a
2
f (x) = 3a x +4 x ≤−1
x >−1

© Krista King Math - Please do not share online. Requires license for classroom use.
 AP® Calculus AB Ultimate Review Packet
Unit 2 Practice Questions ANSWERS & EXPLANATIONS

Solution:

We have to find values of a and b that guarantee both continuity and

smoothness at the break point, x = − 1. First, find the derivative.

{b
6a x x ≤−1
f′(x) =
x >−1

The function will be continuous when both pieces of the function are
equivalent at x = − 1.

3a x 2 + 4 = bx − a

3a(−1)2 + 4 = b(−1) − a

3a + 4 = − b − a

4a + 4 = − b

b = − 4a − 4

The function will be smooth when both pieces of the derivative are
equivalent at x = − 1.

6a x = b

6a(−1) = b

−6a = b

© Krista King Math - Please do not share online. Requires license for classroom use.
 AP® Calculus AB Ultimate Review Packet
Unit 2 Practice Questions ANSWERS & EXPLANATIONS

With two equations which are both equal to b, we can set them equal to
each other to solve for a.

−4a − 4 = − 6a

4a + 4 = 6a

4 = 2a

a=2

Substitute a = 2 into −6a = b.

−6(2) = b

b = − 12

The values a = 2 and b = − 12 make the function continuous.

13. Use the product rule to find the derivative of h(x) = 8x 3e x.

Solution:

Let f (x) = 8x 3, f′(x) = 24x 2, g(x) = e x, and g′(x) = e x. Then by the product rule,
the derivative is

h′(x) = f′(x)g(x) + f (x)g′(x)

h′(x) = 24x 2e x + 8x 3e x

© Krista King Math - Please do not share online. Requires license for classroom use.
 AP® Calculus AB Ultimate Review Packet
Unit 2 Practice Questions ANSWERS & EXPLANATIONS

h′(x) = 8x 2e x(3 + x)

x 5 + 4x 3 − 11
14. Let f (x) = . Find f′(x).
x2

Solution:

We could use quotient rule here to find the derivative, but it’ll be easier to
simplify the function first,

x 5 + 4x 3 − 11
f (x) =
x2

x 5 4x 3 11
f (x) = 2 + 2 − 2
x x x

f (x) = x 3 + 4x − 11x −2

and then instead apply power rule to find the derivative.

f′(x) = 3x 2 + 4 + 22x −3

2 22
f′(x) = 3x + 4 + 3
x

Find a common denominator.

3x 5 4x 3 22
f′(x) = 3 + 3 + 3
x x x

© Krista King Math - Please do not share online. Requires license for classroom use.
 AP® Calculus AB Ultimate Review Packet
Unit 2 Practice Questions ANSWERS & EXPLANATIONS

3x 5 + 4x 3 + 22
f′(x) =
x3

© Krista King Math - Please do not share online. Requires license for classroom use.