ap-calculus-ab

Papers (31)
2025
free-response 6
2024
free-response 6
2023
free-response 6
2022
free-response 6
2021
free-response 6
2019
free-response 6
2018
free-response 6
2017
free-response 6
2016
free-response 6
2015
free-response 6
2014
free-response 6
2013
free-response 6
2012
practice-exam 50
2011
free-response 6 free-response_formB 6
2010
free-response 6
2009
free-response 6
2008
free-response 6
2007
free-response 6
2006
free-response 6
2005
free-response 6 free-response_formB 6
2004
free-response_formB 6
2003
free-response 6
2002
free-response 6 free-response_formB 6
2001
free-response 6
1999
free-response 6
1998
free-response 6
Unknown
-bc_course-and-exam-description 24 -bc_sample-questions 18
2023 free-response

6 maths questions

Q1 Indefinite & Definite Integrals Multi-Part Applied Integration with Context (Trapezoidal/Numerical Estimation) View
A customer at a gas station is pumping gasoline into a gas tank. The rate of flow of gasoline is modeled by a differentiable function $f$, where $f(t)$ is measured in gallons per second and $t$ is measured in seconds since pumping began. Selected values of $f(t)$ are given in the table.
\begin{tabular}{ c } $t$
(seconds)
& 0 & 60 & 90 & 120 & 135 & 150 \hline
$f(t)$
(gallons per second)
& 0 & 0.1 & 0.15 & 0.1 & 0.05 & 0 \hline \end{tabular}
(a) Using correct units, interpret the meaning of $\int_{60}^{135} f(t)\, dt$ in the context of the problem. Use a right Riemann sum with the three subintervals $[60,90]$, $[90,120]$, and $[120,135]$ to approximate the value of $\int_{60}^{135} f(t)\, dt$.
(b) Must there exist a value of $c$, for $60 < c < 120$, such that $f'(c) = 0$? Justify your answer.
(c) The rate of flow of gasoline, in gallons per second, can also be modeled by $g(t) = \left(\frac{t}{500}\right)\cos\left(\left(\frac{t}{120}\right)^{2}\right)$ for $0 \leq t \leq 150$. Using this model, find the average rate of flow of gasoline over the time interval $0 \leq t \leq 150$. Show the setup for your calculations.
(d) Using the model $g$ defined in part (c), find the value of $g'(140)$. Interpret the meaning of your answer in the context of the problem.
Q2 Variable acceleration (1D) Multi-part particle motion analysis (formula-based velocity) View
Stephen swims back and forth along a straight path in a 50-meter-long pool for 90 seconds. Stephen's velocity is modeled by $v(t) = 2.38e^{-0.02t}\sin\left(\frac{\pi}{56}t\right)$, where $t$ is measured in seconds and $v(t)$ is measured in meters per second.
(a) Find all times $t$ in the interval $0 < t < 90$ at which Stephen changes direction. Give a reason for your answer.
(b) Find Stephen's acceleration at time $t = 60$ seconds. Show the setup for your calculations, and indicate units of measure. Is Stephen speeding up or slowing down at time $t = 60$ seconds? Give a reason for your answer.
(c) Find the distance between Stephen's position at time $t = 20$ seconds and his position at time $t = 80$ seconds. Show the setup for your calculations.
(d) Find the total distance Stephen swims over the time interval $0 \leq t \leq 90$ seconds. Show the setup for your calculations.
Q3 Differential equations Multi-Part DE Problem (Slope Field + Solve + Analyze) View
A bottle of milk is taken out of a refrigerator and placed in a pan of hot water to be warmed. The increasing function $M$ models the temperature of the milk at time $t$, where $M(t)$ is measured in degrees Celsius (${}^{\circ}\mathrm{C}$) and $t$ is the number of minutes since the bottle was placed in the pan. $M$ satisfies the differential equation $\frac{dM}{dt} = \frac{1}{4}(40 - M)$. At time $t = 0$, the temperature of the milk is $5^{\circ}\mathrm{C}$. It can be shown that $M(t) < 40$ for all values of $t$.
(a) A slope field for the differential equation $\frac{dM}{dt} = \frac{1}{4}(40 - M)$ is shown. Sketch the solution curve through the point $(0, 5)$.
(b) Use the line tangent to the graph of $M$ at $t = 0$ to approximate $M(2)$, the temperature of the milk at time $t = 2$ minutes.
(c) Write an expression for $\frac{d^{2}M}{dt^{2}}$ in terms of $M$. Use $\frac{d^{2}M}{dt^{2}}$ to determine whether the approximation from part (b) is an underestimate or an overestimate for the actual value of $M(2)$. Give a reason for your answer.
(d) Use separation of variables to find an expression for $M(t)$, the particular solution to the differential equation $\frac{dM}{dt} = \frac{1}{4}(40 - M)$ with initial condition $M(0) = 5$.
Q4 Stationary points and optimisation Analyze function behavior from graph or table of derivative View
The function $f$ is defined on the closed interval $[-2, 8]$ and satisfies $f(2) = 1$. The graph of $f'$, the derivative of $f$, consists of two line segments and a semicircle, as shown in the figure.
(a) Does $f$ have a relative minimum, a relative maximum, or neither at $x = 6$? Give a reason for your answer.
(b) On what open intervals, if any, is the graph of $f$ concave down? Give a reason for your answer.
(c) Find the value of $\lim_{x \to 2} \frac{6f(x) - 3x}{x^{2} - 5x + 6}$, or show that it does not exist. Justify your answer.
(d) Find the absolute minimum value of $f$ on the closed interval $[-2, 8]$. Justify your answer.
Q5 Product & Quotient Rules View
The functions $f$ and $g$ are twice differentiable. The table shown gives values of the functions and their first derivatives at selected values of $x$.
$x$0247
$f(x)$10745
$f'(x)$$\frac{3}{2}$$-8$36
$g(x)$12$-3$0
$g'(x)$5428

(a) Let $h$ be the function defined by $h(x) = f(g(x))$. Find $h'(7)$. Show the work that leads to your answer.
(b) Let $k$ be a differentiable function such that $k'(x) = (f(x))^{2} \cdot g(x)$. Is the graph of $k$ concave up or concave down at the point where $x = 4$? Give a reason for your answer.
(c) Let $m$ be the function defined by $m(x) = 5x^{3} + \int_{0}^{x} f'(t)\, dt$. Find $m(2)$. Show the work that leads to your answer.
(d) Is the function $m$ defined in part (c) increasing, decreasing, or neither at $x = 2$? Justify your answer.
Q6 Implicit equations and differentiation Verify implicit derivative and find tangent line features View
Consider the curve given by the equation $6xy = 2 + y^{3}$.
(a) Show that $\frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{2y}{y^{2} - 2x}$.
(b) Find the coordinates of a point on the curve at which the line tangent to the curve is horizontal, or explain why no such point exists.
(c) Find the coordinates of a point on the curve at which the line tangent to the curve is vertical, or explain why no such point exists.
(d) A particle is moving along the curve. At the instant when the particle is at the point $\left(\frac{1}{2}, -2\right)$, its horizontal position is increasing at a rate of $\frac{dx}{dt} = \frac{2}{3}$ unit per second. What is the value of $\frac{dy}{dt}$, the rate of change of the particle's vertical position, at that instant?