Calculus Worksheets

PREPARATION
FOR
CALCULUS

WORKSHEETS

Second Edition

DIVISION OF MATHEMATICS
ALFRED UNIVERSITY

Contents

Real Numbers Worksheet 1
Functions and Graphs Worksheet 5
Polynomials Worksheet . 12
Trigonometry Worksheet 18
Trigonometric Functions Worksheet 21
Exponential and Logarithmic Functions Worksheet 25
Rational Functions Worksheet 29
Limits Worksheet 32
Computing Limits Worksheet 36
Limits at Infinity Worksheet 40
Continuous Functions Worksheet 44

Prepared by: Joseph Petrillo, Alfred University
Edited by: Xiuhong Du and Juan Marin, Alfred University
Editions: 7/09, 1/10
References: Calculus (Early Trans.), 8
th
ed., Anton/Bivens/Davis, Wiley (2005).
Wolframs Math World (http://mathworld.wolfram.com/).
Preparation for Calculus Worksheets 1

Real Numbers Worksheet

1. Solve each equation for x.

(a) 0
2
2
=
x
x

(b) 0
4
2
=
x
x

(c) 0
3
2
=
x

2. Perform the following operations and simplify where possible.

(a) = 2
3
1

(b)
6
5
9
2
+ =

(c)
x
x
+
1
1
=

Preparation for Calculus Worksheets

2
(d)
1
2
2
3
+
x x
=

(e)
3
1 2
2
+
x
x
x
x
=

(f)
10
3
5
2
=

(g) =
2
3
5
3
x

(h)
h
x h x
1 1
+
=


3
3. Use the properties of exponents to simplify. Rewrite any negative exponents.

(a)
3
2
) 8 ( =

(b)
3
1
1
) 27 (

=

(c)
2 3
4 x x
=

(d)
2 4
3 2
) 3 (
) 2 (
x
x
=

(e)
2
3
1
2
) 1 (

|
|
\
|
+
x
x x
=


4

(a) 11 7 2
2
= x

(b) 5 21 2
3
= + x

(c) 5 2 8 5
2 2
+ = + x x

5. Calculate or simplify each of the following.

(a)

(b) =
! 7
! 9

(c) =
+
!
)! 1 (
n
n

(d) =
+
)! 1 (
)! 1 (
n
n

(e) =
+
)! 2 (
)! 2 2 (
n
n

n 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
n!

5
Functions and Graphs Worksheet

1. (a) Does the graph of a circle in the Cartesian plane represent a function? Explain.

(b) The circle x
2
+ y
2
= 1 called the unit circle. It is centered at the origin and has radius 1.
Solve this equation for y to show how the unit circle can be expressed as two separate
functions.

(In general, the equation of a circle of radius r and center at the origin is x
2
+ y
2
= r
2
.)

2. (a) The function
2
1
x x y = = is the square-root function, and the function
3
1
3
x x y = =
is the cube-root function. Discuss the domain and sketch the graphs.


6
(b) The function
1
1

= = x
x
y is the reciprocal function. Discuss the domain and sketch
the graphs of
1
1

= = x
x
y and
2
2
1

= = x
x
y .

(c) Any function of the form
r
x y = , where r is real, is a power function. [The functions
from parts (a) and (b) are power functions.] Sketch the graphs of the identity
function x y = , the squaring function
2
x y = , and the cubing function
3
x y = .

(d) Sketch the graph of the absolute value function y = | x | .


7
3. Let f(x) = 3x(x 2)(x + 1)
2
.

(a) Find the x-intercepts of f.

(b) Find the y-intercept of f.

(c) Find the intervals of positive and negative of f.

4. (a) Sketch the graphs, and then find the points(s) of intersection, if any, of the lines
3x 4y = 7 and x + 2y = 1. That is, solve the system of equations

3x 4y = 7

x + 2y = 1

(b) Sketch the graphs, and then find the point(s) of intersection, if any, of the circle
x
2
+ y
2
= 8 and the line y = 4 x. That is, solve the system of equations

x
2
+ y
2
= 8

y = 4 x


8
5. (a) Write
3 2
3 1
1
x
y
= as a composition of three functions f, g, and h.

(b) Find formulas for the compositions g f o and f g o given that f(x) = 1 x
2
and
g(x) = 3 + x .

6. Find the difference quotient of each function.

(a) f(x) = 6

(b) f(x) = 3x 7


9
(c) f(x) = x
2

(d) f(x) = x
3

(e) f(x) =
x
1

(f) f(x) = 4x
2
+ 3x 9


10
7. Sketch the graphs of x y = , 4 + = x y , 4 + = x y , 4 2 + = x y , and
3 4 2 + + = x y .

8. (a) Sketch the graph of y = 2x 3. If possible, find a formula for the inverse and sketch its
graph on the same set of axes. If the function is not invertible, then restrict its domain so
that an inverse can be found.

(b) Sketch the graph of y = x
2
. If possible, find a formula for the inverse and sketch its graph
on the same set of axes. If the function is not invertible, then restrict its domain so that
an inverse can be found.


11
Functions in applications

9. For a given outside temperature T in degrees Fahrenheit, the wind chill temperature
(WCT) index is the equivalent temperature that exposed skin would feel with a wind
speed of v miles per hour.

> + +

=
3 if , 4275 . 0 75 . 35 6215 . 0 74 . 35
3 0 if ,
WCT
16 . 0 16 . 0
v Tv v T
v T

Find the WCT to the nearest degree if T =
o
20 F and v = 15 mi/h.

10. The Surface area S and the volume V of a spherical balloon can be viewed as functions
of the radius r of the balloon. That is,

2
4 ) ( r r S = and
3

3
4
) ( r r V = .

Find the surface area and volume of a spherical balloon with a 3-inch radius. Explain
your answers in terms of the units involved.


12
Polynomials Worksheet

1. 2 = y is a constant function and has degree 0. Its graph is a horizontal line.

(a) Find the y-intercept.

(b) Find the x-intercept(s).

2. 7 4 + = x y is a linear function and has degree 1. Its graph is a line with slope ______

and y-intercept ______ .

Find the x-intercept(s).

3. A line passes through the points (2, 7) and (4, 2).

(a) Find the slope of the line.

(b) Find the point-slope form of the line.

(c) Find the slope-intercept form of the line.


13
4. 48 32 16
2
+ + = x x y is a quadratic function and has degree 2. Its graph is a parabola.

(a) Find the y-intercept.

(b) Find the x-intercept(s). (The equation factors easily.)

(c) Determine the intervals on which the polynomial is positive and the intervals on which
the polynomial is negative.

5. 8 4 2
2 3
+ + + = x x x y is a cubic function and has degree 3.

(a) Find all roots. (Use grouping.)

(b) Determine the intervals on which the polynomial is positive and the intervals on which


14
6. 6 5 2
2 3
+ = x x x y is a cubic function.

(a) Find all zeros. (Use guess-and-check and long division. The remaining quadratic factors
easily.)

(b) Determine the intervals on which the polynomial is positive and the intervals on which

7. 4
4
= x y is a quartic function and has degree 4. Factor the function using the difference
of squares formula.


15
8.
2 3 4
144 81 9 x x x y + = is a quartic function. Find the roots. (You will eventually need the
quadratic formula.)

9. Solve x
2
9x + 16 = 0 by completing the square.

10. Complete the square on y = 2x
2
+ 3x 4 to determine the vertex of the graph.


16
11. Even though some functions are not polynomials, we can use similar techniques.

(a) Factor the function
3
4
3
1
3 6 ) ( x x x f + = . (Factor out the smallest power of x.)

(b) Factor the function
3
1
3
2
4 2 ) ( x x x g + =

, and then find its domain and intercepts.


17
Polynomials in applications:

12. Let 144 16 ) (
2
+ = t t s be the position in feet of a falling object t seconds after it was
dropped.

(a) Find the height from which the object was dropped.

(b) At what time did the object hit the ground?

13. Let 5 . 24 8 . 9 ) ( + = t t v be the velocity in meters per second of a moving object t seconds
after it was thrown straight up into the air.

(a) What was the initial velocity?

(b) At what time did the object reach its maximum height and begin to descend?


18
Trigonometry Worksheet

1. (a) Convert
o
75 and
o
225 to radians.

(b) Convert
15
and
9
7
to degrees.

2. Fill in the table from memory.

3. Given that tan = 3, find the exact values of the remaining five trigonometric functions
of . [Hint: draw the appropriate triangle.]

4. Find the cosine, sine, and tangent of .

(a) (b)

5 7

2 4
cos sin tan
o
0 0 =

o
30
6
=

o
45
4
=

o
60
3
=

o
90
2
=

o
180 =

o
270
2
3
=

o
150
6
5
=

o
240
3
4
=


19
5. (a) Find all values of between 0 and 2 (in radians) such that 4sin
2
2 = 0.

(b) Find all values of between 0 and 2 (in radians) such that sin = cos .

6. Find the difference quotient of f(x) = sin x.


20
Trigonometry in applications:

7. A 10-foot ladder leans against a house and makes an angle of
o
60 with level ground.
How far is the top of the ladder above the ground? How far is the bottom of the ladder
from the base of the house?

8. An airplane flies over a radar station and then a checkpoint 1 mile away, both located on
level ground. At the moment the angle of elevation of the airplane above the radar
station is 50 and the angle between the station and checkpoint is 30, find the distance
between the airplane and the checkpoint using the Law of Sines, and then find the
distance between the airplane and the radar station using the Law of Cosines.

30

50 100
1 mi


21
Trigonometric Functions Worksheet

1. Find the amplitude, period, frequency, and phase shift. Then sketch a graph showing at
least two periods.

(a) ) 4 cos( 3 x y =

(b) 2 ) 3 sin( 2
2
+ + =

x y [Notice the extra vertical shift.]


22
2. (a) =
|
|
\
|
2
3
cos
1
__________

(b) =
) 1 ( sin
1
__________

(c) =
) 1 ( tan
1
__________

(d) = |
\
|
2
1
sin
1
__________

3. Find .

(a)

2

1

(b)

50

20


23
Trigonometric functions in applications:

4. Suppose a mass is attached to a hanging spring and is allowed to come to rest at its
equilibrium position. The mass is pulled 0.5 meters below equilibrium and is released
at time t = 0. Assume the mass vibrates up and down with position given by

) 3 . 1 cos( 5 . 0 ) ( t t y = meters,

t seconds after release.

(a) Find the amplitude, period, and frequency of the vibration.

(b) Find the position of the mass after 3 seconds.

5. In the United States, a standard electrical outlet supplies sinusoidal electrical current
with a maximum voltage of 2 120 = V volts (V) at a frequency of 60 hertz (Hz).
Write an equation that expresses V as a function of the time t, assuming that V = 0 if
t = 0. [Note: 1 Hz = 1 cycle per second.]


24
6. A soccer player kicks a ball with an initial speed of 14 m/s at an angle with the
horizontal see the figure below. The ball lands 18 m down the field. If air resistance is
neglected, then the ball will have a parabolic trajectory and the horizontal range R will
be given by
2 sin
2
g
v
R =

where v is the initial speed of the ball and g = 9.8 m/s
2
is the acceleration due to
gravity. Approximate two values of , to the nearest degree, at which the ball could
have been kicked.

R


25
Exponential and Logarithmic Functions Worksheet

1. On the set of axes below, sketch and label the graphs of y = b
x
for bases b = 1, 2, 3, and .

1

1 1

2. Find the exact value of each expression without a calculator.

(a) =
3
2
) 8 ( (b) =
3
2
8

(c) =
2
1
9 (d) = 32 log
2

(e) = ) 01 . 0 ( log
10
(f) = 1000 log
10

(g) =
3
ln e (h) =
3
) (lne


26
3. Most calculators do not have a key to evaluate 15 log
2
. Use the change of base formula to
convert to base e first.


(a) 2 ) 1 ( log
10
= + x

(b) 2 ln ) ln( 3 ) 4 ln(
2
= x x

(c) 3 5
2
=
x

(d) 7 ) 3 exp( 2 = x


27
Exponential and logarithmic functions in applications:

5. The loudness of a sound can be measured by its intensity I (in watts per square meter),
which is related to the energy transmitted by the sound wavethe greater the intensity, the
greater the transmitted energy, and the louder the sound is perceived by the human ear. Since
intensity units vary over an enormous range, we measure loudness in terms of sound level
(in decibels dB):
|
\
|
=
12
10
log 10
I
dB

Damage to the average ear occurs at 90 dB or greater. Find the decibel level of each of the
following sounds and state whether it will cause ear damage.

Sound Intensity I
(a) Jet aircraft from 50 ft 1.010
2
W/m
2
(b) Amplified rock music 1.0 W/m
2

(c) Garbage disposal 1.010
4
W/m
2

(d) TV mid volume from 10 ft 3.210
5
W/m
2


28
6. The equation
t
e Q
055 . 0
12

= gives the mass Q in grams of radioactive potassium-42 that will
remain from some initial quantity after t hours of radioactive decay.

(a) How many grams were there initially?

(b) How many grams remain after 4 hours?

(c) What is the half-life of potassium-42. That is, how long will it take to reduce the amount
of radioactive potassium-42 to half of the initial amount?

7. In thermodynamics, an equation or the form
|
\
|
=
RT
Q
A
t
exp
1
is rewritten as a linear
function of 1/T, namely,
b
T
a t + =
1
ln

where a is the slope and b is the (extrapolated) vertical axis intercept. Find the slope a and
intercept b in terms of A, Q, and R.


29
Rational Functions Worksheet

1. For each rational function, find the following, if possible.

(i) y-intercepts

(ii) x-intercepts

(iii) holes

(iv) vertical asymptotes

(v) intervals of positive and negative

(a)
2
5
=
x
y

(b)
9
4
2
+
+
=
x
x
y


30
(c)
2
1 3
2
3
+
=
x
x
y

(d)
6 9 3
2
2
2
+

=
x x
x x
y


31
2. Perform long division to rewrite the improper rational function
2
1 3
2
3
+
=
x
x
y .

Rational functions in applications:

3. According to Coulombs law, the magnitude of the electrical force F between two charged
particles with charges Q
1
and Q
2
is inversely proportional to the square of the distance d
between them. That is,
2
2 1
d
Q kQ
F = .

Describe the force as the particles get closer and closer together.

Describe the force as the particles get further and further apart.


32
Limits Worksheet

1. Use the graph of y = f(x) to fill in the blanks.

y

(a) f(2) ________ ) ( lim
2
x f
x

________ ) ( lim
2
x f
x
+

________ ) ( lim
2
x f
x
________

(b) f(1) ________ ) ( lim
1
x f
x

________ ) ( lim
1
x f
x
+
________ ) ( lim
1
x f
x
________

(c) f(3) ________ ) ( lim
3
x f
x

________ ) ( lim
3
x f
x
+
________ ) ( lim
3
x f
x
________

(d) f(4) ________ ) ( lim
4
x f
x

________ ) ( lim
4
x f
x
+
________ ) ( lim
4
x f
x
________
6 f(x)
5
4
3
2
1
3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
1
2
3
x

33
2. Use the graph of y = g(x) to fill in the blanks.

y

x

(a) g(1) ________ ) ( lim
1
x g
x

________ ) ( lim
1
x g
x
+

________ ) ( lim
1
x g
x
________

(b) g(1) ________ ) ( lim
1
x g
x

________ ) ( lim
1
x g
x
+
________ ) ( lim
1
x g
x
________

(c) g(2) ________ ) ( lim
2
x g
x

________ ) ( lim
2
x g
x
+
________ ) ( lim
2
x g
x
________

(d) g(5) ________ ) ( lim
5
x g
x

________ ) ( lim
5
x g
x
+
________ ) ( lim
5
x g
x
________
6 g(x)
5
4
3
2
1
3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
1
2
3

34
3. Numerically analyze the following limits.

(a)
1
1
lim
2
1
x
x
x

?
From the left side From the right side

(b)
x
x
1
lim
0

?

(c)
2
2
) 2 (
1
lim
x
x

?

(d)
x
x
x
sin
lim
0

?
x 0.9 0.99 0.999 0.9999 1 1.0001 1.001 1.01 1.1
1
1
2
x
x

x 0.1 0.01 0.001 0.0001 0 0.0001 0.001 0.01 0.1
x
1

x 1.9 1.99 1.999 1.9999 2 2.0001 2.001 2.01 2.1
2
) 2 (
1
x

x 0.1 0.01 0.001 0.0001 0 0.0001 0.001 0.01 0.1
x
x sin


35
Limits in applications:

4. In the special theory of relativity the mass m of a moving object is a function m = m(v) of
the objects speed v. In the figure, c denotes the speed of light.

Mass m

m
0
Speed v

c

(a) What is the physical interpretation of m
0
?

(b) What is ) ( lim v m
c v

? What is the physical significance of this limit?

5. In the special theory of relativity the length l of a narrow rod moving longitudinally is a
function l = l(v) of the rods speed v. In the figure, c denotes the speed of light.

Length l

l
0

Speed v

c

(a) What is the physical interpretation of l
0
?

(b) What is ) ( lim v l
c v

? What is the physical significance of this limit?


36
Computing Limits Worksheet

Compute the following limits.

1. 5 lim
2 x

2. ) 5 3 ( lim
2 3
2
+ +

x x
x

3. x
x
cos lim
6

4.
3
4
lim
2
3
+
x
x x
x

5.
2
2 3
lim
2
1
+
+
x
x x
x

6. x
x
tan lim
2


37
7.
8 2
3
lim
2
4

x x
x
x
Sign Chart:

N

D

N/D
4

8.
1 2
6
lim
2
2
1
+ +
+

x x
x x
x
Sign Chart:

N

D

N/D
1

9.
1
1
lim
4
1
x
x
x


38
10.
6
4 4
lim
2
2
2
+
+
x x
x x
x

11.
25 10
10 3
lim
2
2
5
+

x x
x x
x
Sign Chart:

N

D

N/D
5

12.
3
9
lim
9
x
x
x


39
13. ) ( lim
2
t f
t
, where
>

=
2 , 5 4
2 , 1
) (
t t
t t
t f .

14. Find the derivative of each function.

(a) x x f = ) (

(b) 2 3 ) (
2
+ = x x x f


40
Limits at Infinity Worksheet

1. Investigate the end behavior of each of the following functions.

(a)
4
4
1
3 2
x
x
y
+
=

(b)
3
3
1
3 2
) (
x
x
x f
+
=


41
(c)
x x
x x
x g
4 2
9 7 10
) (
3
2
+
+
=

(d)
x x
x x
x h
4 2
9 7 10
) (
2
3
+
+
=


42
2. Find any horizontal asymptotes of
6 5
2 3
2
+
=
x
x x
y .

3. Evaluate each limit.

(a)
3
1
2
2
8 1
3 2
lim
|
|
\
|
+
+

x
x x
x

(b)
9
lim
x
e
x
x

(c)
9
lim
x
e
x
x


43
Limits at infinity in applications:

4. Let T = f(t) denote the temperature of a baked potato t minutes after it has been removed
from a hot oven. The accompanying figure shows the temperature versus time curve for
the potato, where r is the temperature of the room.

T
400
T = f(t)
Temp (
o
F)
r
t
Time (min)

(a) What is the physical significance of ) ( lim
0
t f
t
+
?

(b) What is the physical significance of ) ( lim t f
t +
?

5. Suppose that the speed v (in ft/s) of a sky diver t seconds after leaping from a plane is
given by the equation v(t) = 190 (1 e
0.168t
).

(a) Show that the graph of v(t) has a horizontal asymptote v = c for some constant c.

(b) What is the physical significance of the constant c in part (b)?

(c) Sketch a graph showing v versus t.

v

t

44
Continuous Functions Worksheet

1. Find constants c and d that make the piecewise function f continuous everywhere.

2
2 1
1
,
,
,
2
2
) (
2
1
2
<
<
+
+
=
x
x
x
x
d cx
x
x f

2. Use the Intermediate Value Theorem to show that 1 2 3 ) (
2 3 5
+ = x x x x f has three
roots in the interval [2, 2].


45
3. (a) Use the Squeezing Theorem to show that 1
sin
lim
0
=
x
x
x
.
Hint: In the unit circle, consider the areas of the sector and the two triangles determined
by the angle x (in radians) shown below.

Area of large triangle Area of sector Area of small triangle

x
1

(b) Use part (a) and the identity sin
2
x = 1 cos
2
x = (1 cos x)(1 + cos x) to show that

0
cos 1
lim
0
=
x
x
x
.


46
(c) In a previous example and on a previous worksheet we calculated the difference quotients
of sinx and cosx, respectively, as follows:

|
\
|
|
\
|
=
+
h
x
h
x
h
x h x cosh 1
sin
sinh
cos
sin ) sin(

|
\
|
|
\
|
=
+
h
x
h
x
h
x h x sinh
sin
cosh 1
cos
cos ) cos(

Use the limits from parts (a) and (b) to calculate the derivatives of sinx and cosx.

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PREPARATION

= as a composition of three functions f, g, and h.

? What is the physical significance of this limit?

? What is the physical significance of this limit?

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