AP® Calculus AB Ultimate Review Packet

Unit 5 Practice Questions ANSWERS & EXPLANATIONS

1. Determine whether or not the Mean Value Theorem applies to

[ 2]
1 1
f (x) = − on the interval −3, − . If it applies, find any value(s) of c in the
x
interval such that f′(c) is equivalent to the average rate of change over the
interval. If the MVT does not apply, say why.

3
A The MVT applies, and c = −
2

B The MVT does not apply because f is not continuous at x = 0

( 2)
1
C The MVT does not apply because f − ≠ f (−3)

D The MVT does not apply because f′(c) does not exist

Solution: A

The Mean Value Theorem does apply, because the function is both
continuous and differentiable on the given interval. The function is
discontinuous at x = 0, but that’s outside the interval. The average rate of
change on the interval is

f (x) − f (a) f (− 12 ) − f (−3) 2− 1 5

2
3 3
= = = =
x−a − 12 − (−3) − 12 + 3 5 3
2

Find the derivative,

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

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Unit 5 Practice Questions ANSWERS & EXPLANATIONS

then evaluate it at c to get f′(c), one side of the MVT equation.

1
f′(c) =
c2
Set up the MVT equation and solve it for c.
f (x) − f (a)
f′(c) =
x−a
1 2
=
c2 3
3 = 2c 2

2 3
c =
2
3
c=±
2

3
Only c = − falls within the given interval (the positive value is outside
2
3
the interval), so c = − .
2

3
2. Find all critical numbers of f (x) = (9 − x 2) 5 .

A 0 B 3

C −3, 3 D −3, 0, 3

Solution: D

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Unit 5 Practice Questions ANSWERS & EXPLANATIONS

Find the derivative.

3 2
f′(x) = (9 − x 2)− 5 (−2x)
5
6 2
f′(x) = − x(9 − x 2)− 5
5
6x
f′(x) = − 2
5(9 − x 2) 5

The derivative is 0 when

6x = 0

x=0

The derivative is undefined when

2
5(9 − x 2) 5 = 0

9 − x2 = 0

x2 = 9

x =±3

Then the critical numbers of the function are x = − 3, 0, 3.

3. Given f′(x) = x 2 − 8x − 9, on what intervals is f (x) increasing?

A (−1,9) B (−9,1)

C (−∞, − 9) ∪ (1,∞) D (−∞, − 1) ∪ (9,∞)

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Unit 5 Practice Questions ANSWERS & EXPLANATIONS

Solution: D

Set the derivative equal to 0 and solve for x.

x 2 − 8x − 9 = 0

(x − 9)(x + 1) = 0

x = − 1, 9

Evaluate the derivative at a test value in each interval.

f′(−2) = (−2)2 − 8(−2) − 9 = 11 > 0

f′(0) = 02 − 8(0) − 9 = − 9 < 0

f′(10) = 102 − 8(10) − 9 = 11 > 0

Because the derivative is positive on (−∞, − 1) ∪ (9,∞), the function f (x) is

increasing on (−∞, − 1) ∪ (9,∞).

10
4. Find the absolute minimum of f (x) = on the interval [−1,2].
x +1
2

A (2,2) B (0,10)

( 2 )
1
C (−1,5) D − ,8

Solution: A

Find the derivative, f′(x).

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Unit 5 Practice Questions ANSWERS & EXPLANATIONS

0(x 2 + 1) − 10(2x)
f′(x) =
(x 2 + 1)2
−20x
f′(x) =
(x 2 + 1)2

The derivative will equal 0 when the numerator is equal to 0.

−20x = 0

x=0

Use the candidates test and evaluate the original function at the critical
point, and both endpoints of the interval.
10 10 10
f (−1) = = = =5
(−1) + 1 1 + 1
2 2
10 10
f (0) = 2 = = 10
0 +1 1
10 10 10
f (2) = 2 = = =2
2 +1 4+1 5
Based on these values, on the interval [−1,2], the absolute minimum is at
x = 2, specifically at (2,2).

5. At which value(s) of x does f (x) have an inflection point, if

f′′(x) = x 2(x − 3)(x − 6)3?

A x=0 B x = 0, 3, 6

C x = 3, 6 D x = 0, 3

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Solution: C

To find inflection points of f (x), set f′′(x) = 0.

x 2(x − 3)(x − 6)3 = 0

x = 0, 3, 6

These are potential inflection points, but we need to ensure that the
second derivative changes sign at each one. We’ll check the test points
x = − 1, 1, 4, 7.

f′′(−1) = (−1)2(−1 − 3)(−1 − 6)3 = (−4)(−7)3 = 1,372

f′′(1) = 12(1 − 3)(1 − 6)3 = (−2)(−5)3 = (−2)(−125) = 250

f′′(4) = 42(4 − 3)(4 − 6)3 = 16(1)(−2)3 = − 128

f′′(7) = 72(7 − 3)(7 − 6)3 = 49(4)(1)3 = 196

Therefore, we can say:

The second derivative is positive on (−∞,0)

The second derivative is positive on (0,3)

The second derivative is negative on (3,6)

The second derivative is positive on (6,∞)

Because the second derivative changes sign at x = 3 and x = 6, these are

the inflection points of f (x).

6. A function f (x) has critical points at x = 0 and x = 2. Use the Second

Derivative Test to classify the critical points, if f′′(x) = − 6x + 6.

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Unit 5 Practice Questions ANSWERS & EXPLANATIONS

A Relative minimum at x = 0; Relative maximum at x = 2

B Relative minimum at x = 2; Relative maximum at x = 0

C Relative minima at x = 0 and x = 2

D Relative maxima at x = 0 and x = 2

Solution: A

Evaluate the second derivative at both critical points.

f′′(0) = − 6(0) + 6 = 6 > 0

f′′(2) = − 6(2) + 6 = − 6 < 0

Because the second derivative is positive at x = 0, the function f (x) has a

relative minimum there. Because the second derivative is negative at x = 2,
the function so the function f (x) as a relative maximum there.

7. The graph of f′(x) is shown below. Which of the following is not true
about f (x).

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Unit 5 Practice Questions ANSWERS & EXPLANATIONS

7
A f (x) has a critical point at x = −
2

( 2 )
1
B f (x) is increasing on − , ∞

1
C f (x) has an inflection point at x = −
2

( 2 2)
7 5
D f (x) is decreasing on − ,

Solution: B
7
Answer choice A is true. The graph of f′(x) has an x-intercept x = − , so f (x)
2
has a critical point there.

( 2 2)
1 5
Answer choice B is false. The graph of f′(x) is negative on − , , so f (x)
is decreasing on that interval, which means it isn’t increasing on the entire

( 2 )
1
interval − , ∞ .

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Unit 5 Practice Questions ANSWERS & EXPLANATIONS

1
Answer choice C is true. The graph of f′(x) has a critical point at x = − , so
2
f (x) has an inflection point there.

( 2 2)
7 5
Answer choice D is true. The graph of f′(x) is negative on − , , so f (x) is
decreasing on that interval.

8. Given the graph of f′(x), which is a possible graph of f (x)?

A B

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Unit 5 Practice Questions ANSWERS & EXPLANATIONS

C D

Solution: C

To take a sketch of f′(x) and translate it into a sketch of a possible f (x), we’ll
use the chart that compares the graphs of those two functions.

f (x) f′(x)

Critical point 0

Increasing Positive

Decreasing Negative

Inflection point Critical point

Concave up Increasing

Concave down Decreasing

If we consider the graph of f′(x) we’ve been given,

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Unit 5 Practice Questions ANSWERS & EXPLANATIONS

we can see right away that, as we move from left to right, it’s increasing,
then decreasing, then increasing again. Which means that the graph of
f (x), as we move from left to right, must be concave up, then concave
down, then concave up again.

The only graph matching that concavity pattern is the graph in answer
choice C.

9. How many horizontal tangents does the curve y 2 + 3 = x 2 − e y have?

A One B Two

C Three D None

Solution: A

Find the derivative with respect to x.

d 2
(y + 3 = x 2 − e y)
dx

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2yy′ = 2x − e yy′

Solve for y′.

2yy′ + e yy′ = 2x

y′(2y + e y) = 2x
2x
y′ =
2y + e y

Because y′ = 0 when

2x = 0

x=0

the curve has a critical point, and therefore a relative extremum, and also a
horizontal tangent line, at x = 0. There is only one horizontal tangent line.

10. Find the value(s) of c that satisfy the Mean Value Theorem for the
function h(x) = − 25 − 5x on the interval [0,5].

Solution:

First, h(x) is continuous and differentiable on the interval [0,5], so the Mean
Value Theorem applies. The problem says to find c in the interval such that
h(5) − h(0)
h′(c) =
5−0
Find the values needed for the numerator.

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Unit 5 Practice Questions ANSWERS & EXPLANATIONS

h(5) = − 25 − 5(5) = − 0=0

h (0) = − 25 − 5(0) = − 25 = − 5

Then
h(5) − h(0) 0 − (−5)
= =1
5−0 5
Take the derivative,
−5 5
h′(x) = − =
2 25 − 5x 2 25 − 5x

then set h′(x) = 1 and solve for x.

5
=1
2 25 − 5x
5
= 25 − 5x
2
25
= 25 − 5x
4
25
5x = 25 −
4
75
x=
20
15
x=
4
Verify that the slope of the tangent line at this value is 1.

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Unit 5 Practice Questions ANSWERS & EXPLANATIONS

( 4)
15 5 5 5 5
h′ = = = = =1
5 ( 15 2 ( 52 ) 5
4 )
25
2 25 − 2 4

15
Therefore, c = . The figure illustrates how this point satisfies the Mean
4
Value Theorem.

x 2 − 2x + 4
11. For each question below about the function f (x) = , justify
x−2
your answer.

a) Determine the first derivative.

b) On what intervals is f (x) increasing and decreasing?

c) Find and classify all relative extrema.

d) Determine the second derivative.

e) On what intervals is the function concave up/down?

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Unit 5 Practice Questions ANSWERS & EXPLANATIONS

f) Determine the location of any inflection points.

Solution:

(2x − 2)(x − 2) − (x 2 − 2x + 4)(1)

a) f′(x) =
(x − 2)2
2x 2 − 6x + 4 − x 2 + 2x − 4
f′(x) =
(x − 2)2
x 2 − 4x
f′(x) =
(x − 2)2

b) The derivative will be equal to 0 when its numerator is equal to 0.

x 2 − 4x = 0

x(x − 4) = 0

x = 0, 4

The derivative will be undefined when its denominator is equal to 0.

(x − 2)2 = 0

x=2

With critical numbers x = 0, 2, 4, use test values x = − 1, 1, 3, 5 in the first

derivative.

(−1)2 − 4(−1) 1 + 4 5
f′(−1) = = = >0
(−1 − 2) 2 9 9
12 − 4(1) 1 − 4
f′(1) = = =−3<0
(1 − 2) 2 1

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Unit 5 Practice Questions ANSWERS & EXPLANATIONS

32 − 4(3) 9 − 12
f′(3) = = =−3<0
(3 − 2)2 1
52 − 4(5) 25 − 20 5
f′(5) = = = >0
(5 − 2)2 9 9

From the signs of these test values, we can say that

f′(x) > 0 on (−∞,0) ∪ (4,∞), so f (x) is increasing on (−∞,0) ∪ (4,∞)

f′(x) < 0 on (0,4), so f (x) is decreasing on (0,4)

c) Because f (x) is increasing on (−∞,0) ∪ (4,∞) and deceasing on (0,4), f (x)

has a relative maximum at x = 0, a relative minimum at x = 4.

(2x − 4)(x − 2)2 − (x(x − 4))(2(x − 2))

d) f′′(x) =
((x − 2)2)2
(2x − 4)(x − 2)2 − 2x(x − 4)(x − 2)
f′′(x) =
(x − 2)4
(2x − 4)(x − 2) − 2x(x − 4)
f′′(x) =
(x − 2)3
2(x − 2)2 − 2x(x − 4)
f′′(x) =
(x − 2)3
2x 2 − 8x + 8 − 2x 2 + 8x
f′′(x) =
(x − 2)3
8
f′′(x) =
(x − 2)3

e) Set f′′(x) = 0 to find inflection points.

8
=0
(x − 2)3

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Unit 5 Practice Questions ANSWERS & EXPLANATIONS

The second derivative is undefined at x = 2, so this is the only possible

inflection point. Use test values of x = 0, 3 in the second derivative.
8 8
f′′(0) = = =−1<0
(0 − 2)3 −8
8 8
f′′(3) = = =8>0
(3 − 2) 3 1

From the signs of these test values, we can say that

f′′(x) < 0 on (−∞,2), so f (x) is concave down on (−∞,2)

f′′(x) > 0 on (2,∞), so f (x) is concave up on (2,∞)

f) While the function f (x) changes concavity at x = 2, from concave down

on the left to concave up on the right, f (x) is undefined at x = 2, so it
can’t have an inflection point there. There are no inflection points.

12. A rectangular box is made from a sheet of tin that is 4 in. by 4 in.
Congruent squares are cut from the corners and the sides are folded up to
form the box. What height of the box will produce the maximum volume?

Solution:

The volume of the box will be

V(x) = x(4 − 2x)(4 − 2x)

V(x) = x(16 − 16x + 4x 2)

V(x) = 16x − 16x 2 + 4x 3

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Unit 5 Practice Questions ANSWERS & EXPLANATIONS

Find critical points.

V′(x) = 16 − 32x + 12x 2

12x 2 − 32x + 16 = 0

3x 2 − 8x + 4 = 0

(3x − 2)(x − 2) = 0
2
x= ,2
3
The critical point x = 2 doesn’t make sense. If we cut a 2 × 2 square from
2
each corner of the 4 × 4 sheet, we’d cut out the entire sheet. So x = is the
3
only critical number we need to consider. Use the second derivative test to
2
classify x = .
3
V′′(x) = 24x − 32

(3) (3)
2 2
V′′ = 24 − 32

(3)
2
V′′ = 16 − 32

(3)
2
V′′ = − 16 < 0

2
So the critical point x = is associated with a local maximum, which means
3
2
that the volume of the box is maximized when x = . The box’s height is
3
2
given by x, so the height that maximizes the box is inches.
3

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