Topic 5: Calculus

SL 5.1 Limits ● Introduction to the concept of a limit.

● Derivative interpreted as gradient
function and as rate of change.

SL 5.2 Graph Analysis ● Increasing and decreasing

functions.
● Graphical interpretation of 𝑓'(𝑥) > 0
, 𝑓'(𝑥) < 0.

SL 5.3 Differentiation of ● Derivative of 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑥 is

𝑛
Polynomial 𝑛−1
Functions 𝑓'(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑛𝑥 , 𝑛 ∈ 𝑍.
● The derivative of functions of the
𝑛 𝑛−1
form 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑥 ··· where
all exponents are integers.

SL 5.4 Tangents and ● Tangents and normals at a given

Normals point, and their equations.

SL 5.5 Anti-Differentiation ● Introduction to integration as

of Polynomial anti-differentiation of functions of
Functions the form 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑥
𝑛 𝑛−1
···,
where 𝑛 ∈ 𝑍, 𝑛 ≠− 1.
● Anti-differentiation with a boundary
condition to determine the constant
term.
● Definite integrals using technology.
● Area of a region enclosed by a
curve 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) and the 𝑥-axis,
where 𝑓(𝑥) > 0.

SL 5.6 Differentiation of ●
𝑛
Derivative of 𝑥 (𝑛 ∈ 𝑄), 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥, 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥,
Various Functions 𝑥
𝑒 and 𝑙𝑛 𝑥.
● Differentiation of a sum and a
multiple of these functions.
● The chain rule for composite
functions.
● The product and quotient rules.

SL 5.7 Second Derivative ● The second derivative.

● Graphical behavior of functions,
including the relationship between
the graphs of 𝑓, 𝑓' and 𝑓''.

SL 5.8 Analyzing Curves ● Local maximum and minimum

points
● Testing for maximum and minimum.
● Optimization.
● Points of inflexion with zero and
non-zero gradients.
SL 5.9 Kinematics in ● Kinematic problems involving
Calculus displacement 𝑠, velocity 𝑣,
acceleration 𝑎 and total distance
travelled.

SL 5.10 Indefinite Integrals ●

𝑛
Indefinite integral of 𝑥 , 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥, 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥,
1 𝑥
𝑥
and 𝑒 .
● The composites of any of these with
the linear function 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏.
● Integration by inspection (reverse
chain rule) or by substitution for
expressions of the form:

∫ 𝑘𝑔'(𝑥)𝑓(𝑔(𝑥))𝑑𝑥.

SL 5.11 Definite integrals ● Definite integrals, including

analytical approach.
● Areas of a region enclosed by a
curve 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) and the
𝑥-axis, where 𝑓(𝑥) can be positive
or negative, without the use of
technology.
● Areas between curves.

AHL 5.12 Continuity and ● Informal understanding of continuity

Differentiability and differentiability of a function at a
point.
● Understanding of limits
(convergence and divergence).
● Definition of derivative from first
𝑓(𝑥+ℎ)−𝑓(𝑥)
principles 𝑓'(𝑥) = lim ℎ
.
ℎ→0
● Higher derivatives.

AHL 5.13 l’Hôpital’s Rule ● The evaluation of limits of the form

𝑓(𝑥) 𝑓(𝑥)
lim 𝑔(𝑥) and lim 𝑔(𝑥) using
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→∞
l’Hôpital’s rule or the Maclaurin
series.
● Repeated use of l’Hôpital’s rule.

AHL 5.14 Applications of ● Implicit differentiation.

Differentiation ● Related rates of change.
● Optimisation problems.

AHL 5.15 Derivatives of ● Derivatives of 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝑥, 𝑠𝑒𝑐 𝑥, 𝑐𝑠𝑐 𝑥,

Complicated 𝑥
𝑐𝑜𝑡 𝑥, 𝑎 , 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑎𝑥, 𝑎𝑟𝑐𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥, 𝑎𝑟𝑐𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥,
Functions
𝑎𝑟𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝑥.
● Indefinite integrals of the derivatives
of any of the above functions.
● The composites of any of these with
a linear function.
 ● Use of partial fractions to rearrange
the integrand.

AHL 5.16 Techniques for ● Integration by substitution.

Integration ● Integration by parts.
● Repeated integration by parts.

AHL 5.17 Areas and Volumes ● Area of the region enclosed by a

through Integration curve and the 𝑦-axis in a given
interval.
● Volumes of revolution about the 𝑥
-axis or 𝑦-axis.

AHL 5.18 Differential ● First order differential equations.

Equations ●
𝑑𝑦
Numerical solution of 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦)
using Euler's method.
● Variables separable.
● Homogeneous differential equation
𝑑𝑦 𝑦
𝑑𝑥
= 𝑓( 𝑥 ) using the substitution
𝑦 = 𝑣𝑥.
● Solution of 𝑦' + 𝑃(𝑥)𝑦 = 𝑄(𝑥),
using the integrating factor.

AHL 5.19 Maclaurin Series ● Maclaurin series to obtain

𝑥
expansions for 𝑒 , 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥, 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥,
𝑝
𝑙𝑛 (1 + 𝑥), (1 + 𝑥) , 𝑝 ∈ 𝑄.
● Use of simple substitution, products,
integration and differentiation to
obtain other series.
● Maclaurin series developed from
differential equations.