Generic Algebraic Equations

a x 2+ bx+ c=a x +

a x 2+ bx+ c=0 x=

a b=

b
b
+c
2a
4a
b b24 ac
2a

ab
a+ b

a3 +(b)3=(a+( b))( a2a( b)+ b2 )

1
3

1
3

a b =

ab
2
3

a + ( ab )3 +b 3
Laws of Logarithms

y=ax x =log a y a>0, x> 0, y >0, a 1

log a x+ log a y=log a xy

log a xlog a y=log a

x
y

log a x n=n log a x

log x y=

log a y
,if x 1
log a x

log a k =

ln k
, a> 0a 1
ln a

Chapter 0: Precalculus
Terms involved in
function

Inequality to solve

g (x)

g( x) 0

ln g ( x )

g ( x ) >0

1
g(x)

g( x) 0
Domain

sin

( ,)

Range

[1,1]

cos

( ,)

[1,1]

tan

+ n
2

( ,)

sin 1

[1,1]

, ]
2 2

cos

[1,1]

[0, ]

tan 1

( ,)

ex

( ,)

(0,)

ln x

(0,)

( ,)

Equation

, )
2 2

Transformation

f (xk )

translation of

units to the right

f (x+ k)

translation of

units to the left

f ( x ) +k

translation of

units to vertically

units to vertically

up

f ( x )k

translation of

f (x )

down
reflection in y-axis

f ( x )

reflection in x-axis

kf (x )

scaling along y-axis by factor

f (kx)

scaling along x-axis by factor

Chapter 1: Limits & Continuity

If

lim g()=0
c

, then

g
lim sin g()
c

g ()

g
lim tan g()
=lim
c

g()

=lim
c

Squeeze Theorem
Suppose g(x) f ( x ) h( x ) , if

If

lim g()=0
c

lim g( x)=lim h( x )=L

x c

xc

, then

lim g( x) sin h(x)=0

and

x c

lim g( x) cos h(x )=0

x c

Chapter 2: Derivatives

f ' ( x 0 )=lim
h 0

Function
n

f ( x 0+ h )f ( x 0 )
h
Derivative
n1

( f ( x ))

n f ' ( x )( f (x ))

cos f ( x)

f '( x ) sin f ( x )

sin f ( x)

f ' (x) cos f (x )

tan f (x)

f ' (x) sec f ( x)

sec ( f ( x ) )

f ' (x) sec ( f ( x ) ) tan ( f ( x ))

f ( x)
cosec

f ' (x ) cosec ( f ( x ) ) cot ( f ( x ))

cot ( f ( x ))

f ' (x ) cosec f (x )

ef ( x)

f ' ( x ) e f ( x)

ln ( f ( x ))

f '(x)
f (x)

sin f (x )

cos f ( x)
1

tan f (x)

, then

f '(x)

1 ( f ( x ) )

'
f ( x )

1 ( f ( x ) )
f'(x)
2
1+ ( f ( x ) )

lim f ( x )=L
x c

'
f (x )

sec f ( x)

f ( x ) ( f ( x ) ) 1

Constant
Rule

d
( c )=0
dx

Constant
Multiple
Rule

d
du
( cu )=c
dx
dx

Sum Rule

d
du dv
( u+v ) = +
dx
dx dx

Product
Rule

d
du
dv
( uv )=v + u
dx
dx
dx

Quotient
Rule

du
dv
v u
d u
dx
dx
=
2
dx v
v

Chain
Rule /
Composite

d
( f ( g ( x ) ) ) =f ' ( g ( x ) ) g ' ( x)
dx

()

f
Implicit
Differentiati
on

Inverse
Functions

d
dy
g ( y ) =g' ( y )
dx
dx
dy f x
=
, where f x denotes f ' w . r . t x
dx f y
'

( f 1) ( a ) =

1
1

f ' ( f ( a ))

1
, at (a , b)
f ' (b)

'
dy dy dt g ( t )
= = '
dx dt dx f ( x )

Parametric

'

d g (t)
( ' )
2
d y d dy dt dt f ( t )
=
=
2
dt dx dx
f ' (t )
dx

( )

Differentiat
e powers

d g g( '
f'
f =f g ln f ) + g
dx
f

Trigonometry Identities

tan Ptan Q=

sin PQ
(cos P)( cos Q)

sin(u v )=sin u cos v cos u sin v

cos( u v)=cos u cos v sinu sin v

tan (u v)=
1

tan u tan v
1 tan u tan v

tan u+ tan v=tan

u+ v
1uv

sin 2 +cos 2 =1
sec 2 1=tan 2
csc 2 1=cot 2
1
sin A cos A= sin 2 A
2
1
2
cos A= (1+cos 2 A )
2
1
sin 2 A= ( 1cos 2 A )
2
1
sin A cos B= [sin ( A + B ) +sin ( AB ) ]
2
1
cos A sin B= [sin ( A + B )sin ( AB ) ]
2
1
cos A cos B= [cos ( A+ B )+ cos ( AB ) ]
2
sin A sin B=

1
[ cos( A +B)cos( AB)]
2

Chapter 3: Applications of Derivatives I

Equation of straight line:

y y 0 =m ( xx 0 )

Equation of tangent line:

y y 0 =

dy dy dt
=
dx dt dx

Parametric Equations:
Test

[a ,b ] if

on

dy
>0 x (a , b)
dx
f on [a ,b ] if

Decreasi
ng

1-1

D= ( xx 0 ) + ( y y 0 )

Distance of 2 points:

Propertie
s
Increasin
g

1
( xx 0 )
m

dy
<0 x (a , b)
dx
f

If

always increasing or always

decreasing
Concave
Upwards

concave upwards on
if

Concave
Downwar
ds

Inflexion
point

(a , b)

d2 y
> 0 x (a , b)
d x2

concave downwards on

(a , b)

Point

if

d2 y
< 0 x (a , b)
d x2

is point of inflexion if

concavity changes at

x=a

Taylor series of

at

x=c

'
f ( c ) + f ( x )( xc )+

f ( x )=

''
n
f (c )
f (c )
( xc )2 ++
( xc )n +
2!
n!

Maclaurin Series (special case of Taylor series when

Coefficient of

Cn 1 =

th

n1

or

term

n
f ( 0) n
x
n!

Approximation using Taylor Polynomials

f ' ' (c )
f n( c)
2
( xc ) ++
( x c )n
f ( x )=f ( c )+ f ( x ) ( xc ) +
2!
n!
'

Stop at

LHopitals Rule
'
f (x)
f (x)
0
IF , lim
=lim '
0 x c g ( x ) x c g ( x )

Chapter 4: Applications of Derivatives II

Abs MAX

Abs max at

x=c

if

f ( x ) f ( c) x D f
Abs MIN

Abs min at

x=c

if

f ( x ) f ( c) x D f
Local
MAX

Local max at
in some

Local
MIN

x=c

if

f ( x ) f ( c) x

x=c

if

f ( x ) f ( c) x

Df

Local min at

c=0

f ( x )=f ( 0 ) +f ' ( 0 ) x +

f ' ' (0 )
f n(0 ) n
x ++
x +
2!
n!

Df

in some
Critical
Point

Not an end-point
ii)

Either

i(ii iii)

iii) Or

f ' ( c )=0

f ' ( c ) dne tangent

First Derivative Test for Local Extrema

If

f'

changes from +ve to -ve at

x=c

, then

has local max at

If

f'

changes from -ve to +ve at

x=c

, then

has local min at

If

First Derivative Test for Absolute Extrema

If

'
f ( x )> 0 x <c

AND

'
f ( x )< 0 x >c

, then

has Abs MAX

If

'
f ( x )< 0 x <c

AND

'
f ( x )> 0 x >c

, then

has Abs MIN

Second Derivative Test

If

f ' ( c )=0

AND

f ' ' ( c )< 0 , then f has local max at c

If

f ' ( c )=0

AND

f ' ' ( c )> 0 , then f has local min at c

Nothing conclusive if

f ' ' ( c )=0

Rolles Theorem (to test for

Let
If

be cont. at

n roots)

[a ,b ] and diff on (a , b) .

f ( a )=f ( b ) , then c ( a , b ) such that f ' ( c )=0

Template for at most 2 roots (if exactly one, use 1)

Let

f ( x )==0, f

Assume
Then

has

is diff on

Df

3 roots, where a , b , c

f ( a )=f ( b )=f ( c ) =0

are 3 such roots,

a<b <c

f'

doesnt change at

x=c

, then

has no local extremum at

m ( a , b ) s .t . f ' ( m )=0 & n ( b , c ) s .t . f ' ( n )=0

RT

f'

/* Compute

f'

Since

is diff on

Df '

q ( m, n ) s .t . f ' ' ( q )=0

RT

f ''

/* Compute

f ' ' ( q )==0

/*

here */

here */
*/

/* Carry on proof */

equation f ( x )=0

has at most 2 real roots

If at most 1 root, then use calculate to

f'

would do

Mean Value Theorem

Let

be cont. at

[a ,b ] and diff on (a , b) .

'
c (a , b) such that f ( c )=

f ( b )f ( a )
ba

Force everything into the form

Template
Let

f ( t )=something

Use the given

domain of

c
[a
,b
]
is cont on
and diff on (a , b)

MVT

f ' ( c )=

f ( b )f ( a )
, for some c (a ,b)
ba

Carry on proof here

The Deduce Part
Start with
Play with

Whatever is
a< c< b given

until you get the expression to sub

f ( b )f ( a )
ba

and differentiate

Points on Graph
Finding Critical Points
'

(I)

f'

(II)

f ' ( x )=0

dne, i.e.

+ (x )
' ( x ) f
f

Finding extremum

1)
2)
3)
4)

Calculate end points, regardless of inclusive or not

Calculate critical points
Proof only one local extremum abs extremum
Draw timeline for examiner to see

LHopital Rule Revisited

e 2 x +2 e 3 x + 1
4

3
ln ()
x
lim

3
e2 x +2 e 3 x +1 x
lim
=exp
4

Apply LHopitals
1

exp lim
Rule

Chapter 0: Precalculus
0.1: Solving Inequalities

4
1
1+
x +1
2 x1

0: Determine

what

1: Bring all terms to one side

2: Bring all denominator terms up
3: Simplify numerator
4: Determine critical points for ALL

terms

0.2: Maximal Domain

f ( x )=

1
2
3
+
+
2
4 x 9 x 2 6x +9

f ( x) R

0:

*List all domains of

1: Find ALL possible domains of

in the function

2: Draw number line and group common intersections

( ,) [ ,]

3:

0.3: Maximal Domain (Trigo)

0: Find vertical asymptotes of

tan

1: Find range of values that satisfies inequality

2:

( , ) \ { all the non-inclusive } OR ( , ) [,]

0.4: Curve Sketching

Refer to Table in pg1.

Chapter 1: Limits & Continuity

1.1/1.2: Finding unknowns given limits exists or

f ( x )= lim

x c+ f (x)

x c
lim f ( x ) lim
x c

0: Equate both sides of the equation

1: Find unknown constants

cont.

1.3/1.4: Evaluate Limits (at infinity)

3

x 0+ tan x
Evaluate : lim

0: Check if

1: Sub in

is valid at limit
into

1.5.1: Evaluate limits in indeterminate forms

2

lim

x 6

x 7 x+ 6
2
36x
f

0: Check if

0/ 0/

is in indeterminate form, i.e.

1: Eliminate denominator of

value (may need some algebraic equations to eliminate those terms)

2: Evaluate the limit

1.5.2: Limits with linear sums of powers of

(normally to

( 1+ 2 x )3

lim

16 x 6 +9 x1

0: Keep highest powers of

1:

x = x
2

and its sign

, the sign depends on the limit

2: Cancel the powers to see if its

1.5.3/1.5.4: Limits with |

( ), 0

x in f

or a constant

x 0

|x4||x 28|
3x
lim

0: Depending on the limit, choose the correct term:

1: Sub in the values to evaluate the limit

1.5.5/1.5.6: Limits with Trigo

x tan2 x
sin 3 x2
lim

x 0+

|x|= x

g
g
lim sin g()

0: Make use of

g ()
0: If in

cot , csc, sec ,

=lim
c

convert to

sin , cos , tan

1: Eliminate 0 terms in denominator in any

2: Sub in the values to evaluate the limit

1.6.1: Squeeze Theorem

f (x )
Given that 3x 2 f ( x ) 1+2 e x x . Find lim
x 0
0: Establish an inequality where one always greater than the other
1: Let first term be

g( x)

, second term be

h( x )

2: Evaluate the limit for both functions

3: If they are the same, limit of

is the same

1.6.2: Squeeze Theorem with Trigonometry

lim x cos
x 0

0: Show

2
x

is

1: Show that

g ( x ) cos h( x)g ( x ) sin h ( x)

lim g ( x )=0
x c

2: Use Squeeze Theorem to show that

f =0

1.7: Intermediate Value Theorem

Show that 10=x +2 tan 2 x has a root between 34

0: ALWAYS check continuity, if not continuous, restrict domain

1: Let

F ( x )=0

2: Apply IVT to

on

[,]

3: Show signs are different at end points

4: Since

[,]

is cont. on

IVT root lies between

&

f ( x ) f ( y )< 0

and

Chapter 2: Derivatives
2.1: Differentiate by definition
'

f ( x 0 )=lim

f ( x 0+ h )f ( x 0 )

h 0

2.2: Differentiability

0: Check continuity (if not continuous, not differentiable)

1: Differentiate the given piece wise functions (ALL domains non-inclusive)
2: Check left/right derivative

2.2: Differentiation
Refer to table in pg1

2.3.1: Implicit Differentiation

Two methods, refer to pg1

2.3.2: Derivatives of inverse functions

Refer to table in pg1

2.4: Higher-order derivatives

Just keep differentiating

2.5: Parametric Equations

2

x=2 tt , y=tt

0: Get

dx
dy
dt
dt

1: Find

dy dy dt
=
dx dt dx

2a: Equation of straight line:

2b. Equation of normal:

( y y 0 ) =m( xx 0 )

1
( y y 0 ) = m ( xx 0)

2.6.1: Differentiating functions of the form

( f ( x ))

g( x )

( 2 x + tan3 x )4 ln x
Refer to table in pg1
0:

y=( 2 x+ tan 3 x )4 ln x

1:

ln

both sides and differentiate implicitly

2.6.2: Change of base formulae

log ( x+1 ) 1+ 2 x
5

0: Change

log ln

1: Differentiate from there