Preparing for University Calculus

The$informa,on$in$this$document$is$taken$from$“Preparing)for)University)Calculus”1,$a$
booklet$created$by$the$APICS$Commi?ee$on$Mathema,cs$and$Sta,s,cs*,$and$edited$
by$our$own$Robert$Dawson,$Professor$in$the$Department$of$Math$and$Compu,ng$
Science$here$at$SMU.$$

1Original$copyright$©2002$by$the$Atlan,c$Provinces$on$the$Sciences$Mathema,cs$an$Sta,s,cs$Commi?ee$

*The Atlantic Provinces Council on the Sciences (APICS) is currently known as Science Atlantic.
They can be found here: http://scienceatlantic.ca/

1$
Worked$examples$and$prac,ce$problems$(with$answers)$are$provided$for$each$of$the$
following$topics,$in$the$following$order.$
$

Work$at$your$own$pace,$without$a$calculator.$Remember)–)calculators)are)not)
permi9ed)when writing)the)MATH)placement test.)

Arithme(c*
Algebra*
Inequali(es*and*Absolute*Values*
Func(ons*
Polynomials*
Algebra*with*Frac(ons*
Ra(onalizing*Numerators*or*Denominators*
Linear*Graphs*
Graphs*
Exponents*and*Roots*
Logarithms* Other$important$high$school$topics$
Geometry*and*Basic*Trigonometry* not$covered$in$this$document$include:$
Trigonometric*Iden((es* Probability,$linear$algebra,$and$
Problem*Solving* coordinate$geometry$of$conic$
More*Difficult*Problems$(Ans.)not)provided)$ sec,ons.$

2$
Some*Useful*Facts*

3$
 Arithmetic
Let’s*start*with*the*basics!*
$
This$material,$which$is$
covered$in$elementary$school$
and$junior$high,$is$very$
important.$It$is$fundamental$
to$everything$that$follows.$$
$
Expecta(ons:*
• $You$should$be$able$to$do$
basic$arithme,c$without$a$
calculator,$including$
opera,ons$on$frac,ons,$
nega,ve$numbers,$and$
decimals.$
• $You$should$be$able$to$
compute$simple$powers$and$
roots.$
 Arithmetic

Prac(ce*Problems:*

answers$
ra c,ce$
e r$ to $p
emb $same$
R em
r$ t h e h e $ t est$
t
unde ,ons$as$ or.$
i t
cond o$calcula
… . . $N

5$
Basic*Algebra*
Algebra
is*closely*related*to*Arithme(c*
$
Expecta(ons:*
You$should….$
• $Know$the$basic$rules$for$
addi,on,$subtrac,on,$
mul,plica,on,$division,$and$
exponents$
$

• $Be$aware$of$the$opera,ons,$
such$as$division$by$0$and$taking$
the$square$root$of$a$nega,ve$
number,$that$cannot$be$done$
within$the$real$number$system$
$

• $Be$able$to$solve$a$simple$
equa,on$
$

• $Simplify$an$algebraic$
expression$
$

• $Evaluate$an$expression$by$
plugging]in$values$
6$
 Algebra

Prac(ce*Problems:*

answers$
Good skills
in algebra
are very
important
for success
in calculus

7$
 Inequalities & Absolute Values

Expecta(ons:*
You$should….$
• $be$able$to$solve$simple$
inequali,es$and$perform$
algebraic$opera,ons$with$them$
$

• $know$which$opera,ons$
reverse$inequali,es$and$which$
ones$preserve$them$
$

• $understand$interval$nota,on,$
including$open,$closed,$half]
open$intervals,$and$intervals$
with$limits$at$infinity$
$

• $know$how$to$compute$an$
absolute$values$
$

• $do$simple$algebra$using$the$
absolute$func,on$

8$
 Inequalities & Absolute Values
Prac(ce*Problems:*

answers$
9$
 Functions
$
Expecta(ons:*
You$should…$
$
• $understand$the$concept$of$
“func,on”$and$“inverse$
func,on”$
$
• $know$how$to$compute$the$
composi,on$of$two$or$more$
func,ons$
$
• $be$able$to$determine$the$
range$and$domain$of$a$simple$
func,on$
 Functions
Prac(ce*Problems:*

answers$
11$
 Polynomials
$
Expecta(ons:*
You$should…$
$

• $know$how$to$add,$subtract,$
mul,ply,$divide,$and$factor$
polynomials$
$

• $know$special$forms$such$as$
the$difference$of$powers$
$

• $understand$the$connec,on$
between$roots$and$
factoriza,ons$
$

• $be$able$to$solve$a$quadra,c$
equa,on$using$the$quadra,c$
formula$
$

• Be$able$to$work$with$a$
polynomial$func,on$of$
something$nontrivial,$e.g.,$$
factor$sin(x)2$+$2sin(x)$+$1$
 Polynomials
Prac(ce*Problems:*

answers$
13$
 Algebra with Fractions
$
Expecta(ons:*
You$should…$
$

• $be$able$to$simplify$a$ Examples*
frac,onal$expression$
$

• $convert$a$“stacked”$
frac,onal$expression$into$
a$single$one$
$

• $put$frac,onal$
expressions$over$a$
common$denominator$
$

• $be$able$to$perform$a$$
par,al$frac,on$expansion$

These skills will be useful in finding various derivatives, simplifying derivatives and
integrals, and in particular for the “partial fractions” techniques of integration
 Algebra with Fractions
$
Expecta(ons:*
You$should…$
$

• $be$able$to$simplify$a$ …Examples*
frac,onal$expression$
$

• $convert$a$“stacked”$
frac,onal$expression$into$
a$single$one$
$

• $put$frac,onal$
expressions$over$a$
common$denominator$
$

• $be$able$to$perform$a$$
par,al$frac,on$expansion$

These skills will be useful in finding various derivatives, simplifying derivatives and
integrals, and in particular for the “partial fractions” techniques of integration
 Algebra with Fractions
Prac(ce*Problems:*

answers$
16$
Rationalizing Numerators or Denominators
$
Expecta(ons:*
You$should…$ Examples*
$

• $know$how$to$eliminate$
square$(and$other)$roots$
from$the$numerator$or$
denominator$by$an$
appropriate$expression$

This technique will be important in finding the derivatives of

certain expressions involving roots
Rationalizing Numerators or Denominators
$
Expecta(ons:*
You$should…$ …Examples*
$

• $know$how$to$eliminate$
square$(and$other)$roots$
from$the$numerator$or$
denominator$by$an$
appropriate$expression$

This technique will be important in finding the derivatives of

certain expressions involving roots
Rationalizing Numerators or Denominators
Prac(ce*Problems:*

answers$
19$
 Linear Graphs
$
Expecta(ons:*
You$should…$ Examples*
$

• $be$able$to$graph$linear$
func,ons$and$inequali,es$
$

• Be$able$to$determine$the$
slope$and$intercept$of$a$
line$from$its$equa,on$–$
and$vice$versa$
$

• Be$able$to$determine$
where$two$lines$meet$$
$

• Be$able$to$use$the$
nega,ve$reciprocal$rule$
for$orthogonal$lines$
$

• Find$the$distance$
between$two$points$

Many of these ideas will be conceptually important in calculus

Calculus deals a lot with slopes, tangent lines, secant lines, etc.
 Linear Graphs
$
Expecta(ons:*
You$should…$ Examples*
$

• $be$able$to$graph$linear$
func,ons$and$inequali,es$
$

• Be$able$to$determine$the$
slope$and$intercept$of$a$
line$from$its$equa,on$–$
and$vice$versa$
$

• Be$able$to$determine$
where$two$lines$meet$$
$

• Be$able$to$use$the$
nega,ve$reciprocal$rule$
for$orthogonal$lines$
$

• Find$the$distance$
between$two$points$

Many of these ideas will be conceptually important in calculus

Calculus deals a lot with slopes, tangent lines, secant lines, etc.
 Linear Graphs
Prac(ce*Problems:*

answers$
22$
 Linear Graphs
Prac(ce*Problems:*

answers$
23$
 Graphs
$
Expecta(ons:*
You$should…$ Examples*
$

• $be$able$to$graph$
polynomials$and$ra,onal$
func,ons,$showing$
features$such$as:$
$$$]$zeros$
$$$]$y]intercept$
$$$]$horizontal$asymptotes$
$$$]$ver,cal$asymptotes$
$$$]$slant$asymptotes$
$$$]$points$of$discon,nuity$
$

• Be$able$to$read$significant$
features$from$a$graph$
$

A graph—for our purposes—should be drawn by determining the main

features and joining them together with smooth curves.
 Graphs
$
Expecta(ons:*
You$should…$ Examples*
$

• $be$able$to$graph$
polynomials$and$ra,onal$
func,ons,$showing$
features$such$as:$
$$]$$zeros$
$$]$$y]intercept$
$$]$$horizontal$asymptotes$
$$]$$ver,cal$asymptotes$
$$]$$slant$asymptotes$
$$]$$points$of$discon,nuity$
$

• Be$able$to$read$significant$
features$from$a$graph$
$

In your calculus course you will learn to extend these graphing skills by adding
other features, such as maxima, minima, and points of inflection.
 Graphs
Prac(ce*Problems:*

answers$
26$
 Graphs
Prac(ce*Problems:*

answers$
27$
 Exponents and Roots
$
Expecta(ons:*
You$should…$ Examples*
$

• $know$the$basic$iden,,es$
for$exponents$and$roots,$
and$be$able$to$solve$
equa,ons$and$derive$their$
iden,,es$
• Be$able$to$convert$a$
reciprocal$to$a$nega,ve$
power,$or$a$root$to$a$
frac,onal$power$
$

These identities will be extremely important for differentiation and integration

in your calculus course
 Exponents and Roots
Prac(ce*Problems:*

answers$
29$
 Logarithms
$
Expecta(ons:*
You$should…$
$ Examples:*
• $know$the$defini,on$
of$logarithms$to$
various$bases$
• $know$their$rela,on$
to$powers$and$roots$
• $know$the$change$of$
bas$formula:$loga(b)$
logb(c)$=$loga(c)$
$

Logarithms$are$extremely$important$in$many$of$the$sciences.$You$must$be$able$to$manipulate$
30$
them$algebraically$before$you$can$begin$to$solve$problems$with$them$in$your$calculus$course.$
 Logarithms
$
Expecta(ons:*
You$should…$
$ Examples:*
• $know$the$defini,on$
of$logarithms$to$
various$bases$
• $know$their$rela,on$
to$powers$and$roots$
• $know$the$change$of$
bas$formula:$loga(b)$
logb(c)$=$loga(c)$
$

$Logarithms$are$extremely$important$in$many$of$the$sciences.$You$must$be$able$to$manipulate$$$$$$$
31$
them$algebraically$before$you$can$begin$to$solve$problems$with$them$in$your$calculus$course.$
 Logarithms
Prac(ce*Problems:*

Answers$
32$
Geometry & Basic Trigonometry
Expecta(ons:*

33$
Geometry & Basic Trigonometry

34$
Geometry & Basic Trigonometry

Prac(ce*Problems*

answers$
35$
Geometry & Basic Trigonometry

Prac(ce*Problems*

answers$
36$
 Trigonometric Identities
Expecta(ons:*

37$
Trigonometric Identities

38$
 Trigonometric Identities

Prac(ce*Problems*

answers$
39$
 Problem Solving
Expecta(ons:*

40$
 Problem Solving
Examples:*

41$
 Problem Solving
Prac(ce*Problems:*

answers$
42$
 Problem Solving
Prac(ce*Problems:*

answers$
43$
 More Difficult Problems
A*final*note*…*

44$
 More Difficult Problems
Some*final*prac(ce*(no*answers*given)*

45$
46$
 Sample Mathematics Placement Test
Saint Mary’s University

• The test contains a total of 40 multiple choice questions.

• Mark your answers (A, B, C, D or E) in the appropriate boxes below.

• You have 45 minutes to complete the test.

• Calculators or other aids are not permitted.

# ANSWER # ANSWER

1. 21.

2. 22.

3. 23.

4. 24.

5. 25.

6. 26.

7. 27.

8. 28.

9. 29.

10. 30.

11. 31.

12. 32.

13. 33.

14. 34.

15. 35.

16. 36.

17. 37.

18. 38.

19. 39.

20. 40.

1
 4 3
=
5 4
1. 1 1 1
(A) 1 (B) (C) (D) (E) 12
20 16 12

0.125 ⇥ 4 =

2. (A) 55 (B) 0.55 (C) .055 (D) 0.45 (E) none of these

((1 (2 1)) 2) =

3. (A) 0 (B) 1 (C) 1 (D) 2 (E) 2

xy
y =
y
x
4.
y2 x2 y2 x x
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
x 1 x 1 1 x 1 x x 1

1
p p =
5 3
p p p p p p p
5 3 8 5+ 3 5 3
5. (A) (B) (C) (D)
2 2 2 8
p p
5+ 3
(E)
8

s
↵+ 2
If P = , where ↵ = 3, = 5, and M = 7, then P =
M
6. p
3 3 1 p
(A) (B) (C) 2 (D) (E) 3
2 2 2

Consider only (x 1), (x + 1) and (x 2) as possible factors of x3 + x2 + x + 1 . Of these only

(A) (x 1) is a factor (B) (x + 1) is a factor (C) (x 2) is a factor

7.
(D) (x 1) and (x + 1) are factors. (E) None of the preceding are true.

(x2 + 1)(x5 + x3 + 1) =

(A) x7 + x5 + x3 + x2 + 1 (B) x7 + x6 + x5 + x4 + x3 + x2 + x + 1
8.
(C) x7 + 2x5 + 2x3 + 2x + 1 (D) x7 + 2x5 + x3 + x2 + 1
(E) x7 + 2x5 + 2x3 + 2x2 + 1

2
 If 2x2 x = 1, then x =
1 1
(A) or 1 (B) 2 or 1 (C) or 2
9. 2 2
1
(D) 1 or 1 (E) or 1
2

If x + 2y = 3, and 2x y = 3, then (x, y)

3 3 9 1 9 3
(A) = (1, 1) (B) = ( , ) (C) = ( , ) (D) = ( , )
10. 2 2 4 4 5 5
(E) = none of these

1
If f (x) = x4 2x3 + x, then f ( ) =
2
11. x4 2x3 + x 5 1 x3 x2
(A) (B) (C) (D) 0 (E)
16 16 16 16

If f (x) = 1 + x2 , then f (1 x) =

(A) 1 x x2 (B) 2 x2 (C) 1 2x x2 (D) x2 2x+2

12.
(E) none of these

If f (x) = x2 + x, then f (x h) =

(A) x2 x+h (B) x2 + h2 x h (C) x2 + h2 x+h

13.
(D) x2 + 2hx + h2 x+h (E) none of these

If f (x) = x2 + xb, then f (x + b) =

(A) x2 + 2bx + b2 (B) x2 + 3bx + b2 (C) x2 + 3bx + 2b2

14.
(D) x2 + xb + b (E) none of these

If |x + 2| 1 < 7, then which of these follows?

(A) x < 6 (B) x > 10 (C) x > 2

15.
(D) 10 < x < 6 (E) none of these

Let x be the length of the side of a square. If each side is decreased by 2 inches, the area of
the square is decreased by 100 square inches. What is the area of the square after the sides are
decreased?
16. (A) 526square inches (B) 426square inches (C) 476square inches
(D) The area cannot be determined from the information given
(E) None of the above is correct

3
 20 + 1 2
=
17.
(A) 1 (B) 2 (C) 2 12 (D) 3 (E) none of these

If 3x = 5, then

(A) log3 (5) = x (B) logx (3) = 5 (C) logx (5) = 3

18.
(D) log3 (x) = 5 (E) none of these are true

log10 (9) log10 (3) =

1
(A) log10 (6) (B) log9 (3) (C) log10 (27) (D) log10 ( )
19. 2
(E) none of these

x 1 x 2
=
x+1 x 1
1 2x 3x 2 3+x
20. (A) (B) (C) 1 (D)
x2 1 x2 1 x2 1
(E) none of these

The function p(x) = (x2 + 1)(x 1)

(A) changes sign three times

(B) changes sign twice
21. (C) changes sign once
(D) is always positive
(E) is always negative

The slope of the line passing through the points ( 1, 0) and (1, 3) is

22. 3 2
(A) (B) 3 (C) 2 (D) (E) 2
2 3

The slope of the line perpendicular to the line 2y = 3x + 1 is

23. 2 1 1
(A) 1 (B) (C) (D) (E) none of these
3 3 3

The distance between the points ( 1, 2) and (5, 5) is

p p p
24. (A) 13 (B) 5 (C) 5 (D) 55 (E) 85

4
 For the following set of graphs, which statement is true?
y y y
6 6 6

- - -
x x x

y y
6 6

25.
- -
x x

(A) They are all graphs of functions

(B) Exactly four of them are graphs of functions
(C) Exactly three of them are graphs of functions
(D) Exactly two of them are graphs of functions
(E) Exactly one of them is a graph of a function

Which equation has this line as its graph?

y6
3

-
3 x

26.

1
(A) y = x 1 (B) y = x + 1 (C) x + y = 1 (D) y = 2x 2
2
(E) none of these

How many of the following equations represent straight lines?

xy = 9 x2 + y 2 = 4 x + 1 = y2 x + y = 16
27.
(A) none (B) one equation (C) two equations
(D) three equations (E) all four equations

How many of the following equations represent parabolas?

x2 y=9 5x + y 2 = 4 x2 + 1 = y2 x2 y=0
28.
(A) none (B) one equation (C) two equations
(D) three equations (E) all four equations

The area of a triangle with base of length 3 and height (or altitude) of 10 is
p p
29. (A) 13 (B) 13 (C) 15 (D) 30 (E) none of these

5
 Which of the following curves passes through the points (1, 2) and (2, 1) ?

(A) x2 y2 = 5 (B) x = y 3 (C) y = 5 3x

30.
(D) x2 + y 2 = 3 (E) none of these

In the following diagram tan ✓ =

⇢
⇢
5 ⇢
⇢ 3
⇢
⇢
31. ⇢
⇢ ✓
4

5 4 3 3
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E) none of these
4 5 4 5

⇡
Which of these is radians?
2
32. 22
(A) 57.3 (B) (C) 90 (D) 180 (E) none of these
7

sin(60 ) is
p
33. 3 1 1
(A) (B) (C) p (D) 1 (E) none of these
2 2 2

tan( ⇡) is

34. (A) 1 (B) 0 (C) 1 (D) undefined (E) none of these

2
If sin ✓ = and ✓ is in the first quadrant, then cos ✓ =
5
p
35. 3 21 ⇡ 5
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E) none of these
5 5 7 3

sin(2x) =

(A) 2 sin(x) (B) 2 cos(x) sin(x) (C) cos(x) sin(x)

36.
(D) cos2 (x) sin2 (x) (E) none of these

⇡ ⇡
sin2 ( ) cos2 ( ) =
4 4
p
37. 2 2
(A) 1 (B) 0 (C) p (D) (E) none of these
2 2

6
 In the following diagram cot ✓ =
y6
(x, y)
@
@
@r
@
38. @ ✓
@ -
x

x x y y
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E) none of these
r y r x

For the equation cos2 (x) 3 cos(x) + 2 = 0 in the interval [ ⇡, ⇡]:

(A) there are no solutions

(B) there is exactly one solution
39. (C) there are exactly two solutions
(D) there are exactly three solutions
(E) none of the above is true

The equation 22 sin x + 2sin x 6 = 0 has

⇡
(A) only the solution x =
2
⇡
(B) the solutions x = + k⇡, k any integer
40. 2
⇡
(C) the solutions x = + 2k⇡, k any integer
2
(D) only the solution x = ⇡
(E) the solutions x = k⇡, ⇡ any integer

7
 Answer Key
# Answer # Answer
1. B 21. C
2. E 22. A
3. D 23. B
4. B 24. E
5. C 25. C
6. C 26. D
7. B 27. B
8. D 28. D
9. A 29. C
10. D 30. C
11. B 31. C
12. D 32. C
13. E 33. A
14. C 34. B
15. D 35. B
16. E 36. B
17. B 37. B
18. A 38. B
19. E 39. B
20. E 40. C