AP Exam Concepts & Key Word List

Calculus Concept Definition or Hint…

Continuous lim f ( x) lim f ( x) f ( a)
x a x a
No holes, asymptotes, breaks
Differentiable Derivative from the left and right have the same
value.
F(x) is continuous
The graph is a SMOOTH curve.
No sharp turns, vertical tangent lines, etc.
Equation of a tangent line Need Slope and a coordinate
Slope = f’(c)
At the given coordinate the tangent line AND the
function have the same value.
Linear Approximation Use an equation line to approximate the y-value on
the function. (Because the “gap” between the
tangent and the function is small)
Limit Definition of a Derivative f (x x) f ( x)
lim f '( x)
x x x
f ( x ) f (c )
lim f '(c) ; derivative evaluated at
x c x c
x=c
Equation of a normal line This line is perpendicular to the tangent line.
Find slope using f’(c) but then take negative
reciprocal of that value.
Equation of a secant line Equation of a line between 2 points on a curve.
Critical Value Where f’(x) = 0 or undefined
F’(x) =0 POSSIBLE max/min for f(x)
F(x) has horizontal tangent line
F’(x) touches or crosses the x-axis
F is Increasing F’(x) >0
When y values in a table are increasing
F is Decreasing F’(x) <0
When y values in a table are decreasing
F is Concave up F”(x) >0
When the first derivative is increasing b/c tangent
lines to first derivative will be positive

F is Concave down F”(x) <0

When the first derivative is decreasing b/c tangent
lines to first derivative will be negative
Relative Extrema Local max/min
Occurs where f’(x) = 0 or undefined AND sign
change on the derivative
Cannot occur at asymptotes!
Absolute Extrema Occurs where f’(x) = 0 or undefined or at endpoints
of a closed interval.
Highest y-value is abs max
Lowest y-value is abs min
Minimum or Maximum Value Refers to Y-VALUES!!
Minimum is 5 means (x,5)

F”(x) =0 POSSIBLE inflection points

Where the 1st derivative has horizontal tangent
lines.
Where the 2nd derivative graph touches or crosses
the x-axis
Inflection point Where f”(x)=0 or undefined AND the 2nd derivative
has a sign change
Horizontal Asymptote lim f ( x) numeric _ value
x

lim f ( x) numeric _ value

x
Y = # is the horizontal asymptote
Use your short cut rules if possible

Removable Discontinuity When you reduce a fraction by a common factor

Set common factor = 0 and solve to obtain location
of the discontinuity.
Hole in the graph
Vertical Asymptote After you have factored and reduced a fraction,
where the denominator = 0
X = # is the vertical asymptote
Zero Set equation equal to 0
Graphically, where function crosses the x-axis
Average Rate (of change) f (b) f (a)
f '(c)
b a
“RATE” = derivative
Average Number 1
b
f ( x)dx
b a a

Rolle’s Theorem Function must be continuous on [a,b] and

differentiable on (a,b) and f(a) = f(b). Then
guaranteed c value where f’(c) = 0
Guarantees “c” value where f has a horizontal
tangent line.
Intermediate Value Theorem F(x) is continuous on the closed interval [a,b] and k
is a number between f(a) and f(b), then there is a c
value in [a,b] such that f(c) = k

Can be used to prove existence of a zero

Can be used to prove existence of a value
Mean Value Theorem Function must be continuous on [a,b] and
differentiable on (a,b).
f (b) f (a)
f '(c)
b a
Where c must be INSIDE the interval given
Guarantees a “c” value where the secant line is
parallel to the tangent line.
Position Original Function, x(t)
Height Measurement: ft, m
Velocity First derivative of Position
Speed with direction
Negative value means moving down or left
Positive value means moving up or right
X’(t) = v(t)
Measured in ft/sec or m/sec
Speed The absolute value of velocity
v(t )
Measured in ft/sec or m/sec
Acceleration 2nd Derivative of Position
First derivative of Velocity
X”(t) = v’(t) = a(t)
Measured in ft/sec2 or m/sec2
Total Distance or Total Amount v(t ) dt f '( x) dx rate dt
Integrate the absolute value of velocity/rate
Or separate this into multi-integrals based on
where the function crosses the x-axis.
We must compensate for any regions that fall
below the x-axis (we need to count them as +)

Maximize --?-- (volume, area, velocity, etc) To maximize something, you need to use the 1st
derivative, find critical values, test them to
determine max (you may use 2nd derivative test)

Minimize --?—(volume, area, etc) To minimize something, you need to use the 1st
derivative, find critical values, test them to
determine min (you may use 2nd derivative test)
Riemann Sum Summing up areas of rectangles.
Rectangles can be equal width: (b-a)/n
Rectangles can be varied widths: calculate the
width of each by hand; use a number line diagram
to help.
Inscribed Rectangles Every rectangle falls BELOW the function.
Use the graph to determine whether you should
use left or right methods. It is possible you may
have to use a combination of both.
Circumscribed Rectangles Every rectangle falls ABOVE the function.
Use the graph to determine whether you should
use left or right methods. It is possible you may
have to use a combination of both.

Midpoint Sum The height falls in the middle of the rectangle.

Left Sum The height falls in on the left side of the rectangle.
The left side of the rectangle touches the function.

Right Sum The height falls in on the right side of the rectangle.
The right side of the rectangle touches the function.

Trapezoidal Sum b a
Fixed width is:
2n
Coefficients are: 1 2 2 2 2 … 1
b1 b2
Area of a trapezoid is: h
2
Using area to find the value of an integral Area is always positive
Integral values can be negative.
If you use area to help you evaluate an integral,
regions above the x-axis are considered positive
values. Regions below the x-axis are considered
negative values.

g ( x)
d
Derivative of an integral f (t )dt f ( g ( x)) g '( x)
dx a
2nd Fundamental Theorem of Calculus
The rate of change of y with respect to time dy
is (directly) proportional to y. ky y Cekt
dt
The rate of change of w with respect to time dw
is proportional to w. (or any variable-must kw W Cekt
dt
be same)
The rate of change of y with respect to time dy
is jointly proportional to t k ( yt )
dt
The rate of change of y with respect to time dy y
is inversely proportional to t k
dt t
b F(b) – F(a)
f '( x)dx Integrate; plug in the top and plug in the bottom
a

Limit Definition of an Integral b

f ( x)dx lim f (ci ) x
n
a i 1

Try to “pick out” the f(x)

Use the ci to help you find the “a” value
Use the deltax and the “a” value to find the “b”
Area Set up the integral based on the region described
Check for intersection point(s)
Check for top – bottom
b
(top ) (bottom)dx
a

Volume of region R created with cross Integrate the AREA of the shape described.
sections perpendicular to the x-axis b
A( x)dx
a

Volume of region b
Disc Method: R 2 ( x)dx
a
b
Washer Method: R 2 ( x) r 2 ( x )dx
a