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IB Maths: Analysis & Approaches: Calculus

Limits, differentiation, integration, kinematics, optimisation. 19 subtopics.

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In this topic: 5.1 · 5.2 · 5.3 · 5.4 · 5.5 · 5.6 · 5.7 · 5.8 · 5.9 · 5.10 · 5.11 · 5.12 · 5.13 · 5.14 · 5.15 · 5.16 · 5.17 · 5.18 · 5.19

5.1Introduction to the derivative

The derivative is the gradient of the tangent at a point and the instantaneous rate of change.

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5.2Increasing and decreasing functions

\(f'(x)\gt0\): \(f\) is increasing. \(f'(x)\lt0\): \(f\) is decreasing. \(f'(x)=0\): stationary point.

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5.3Differentiating polynomials

Rewrite fractions and roots as powers first: \(\dfrac{5}{x^{2}}=5x^{-2}\), \(\sqrt x=x^{\frac12}\).

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5.4Tangents and normals

\text{Tangent at } x=a:\quad y-f(a)=f'(a)(x-a)\text{Normal gradient}=-\frac{1}{f'(a)}

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5.5Introduction to integration

Integration reverses differentiation. Use a boundary condition to find \(C\).

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5.6Derivatives of standard functions; chain, product and quotient rules

\frac{d}{dx}\sin x=\cos x\qquad\frac{d}{dx}\cos x=-\sin x\qquad\frac{d}{dx}e^{x}=e^{x}\qquad\frac{d}{dx}\ln x=\frac1x\frac{dy}{dx}=\frac{dy}{du}\times\frac{du}{dx}\qquad (uv)'=u'v+uv'\qquad\left(\frac uv\right)'=\frac{u'

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5.7The second derivative

\(f''(x)\gt0\): concave up. \(f''(x)\lt0\): concave down.

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5.8Stationary points, optimisation and points of inflexion

Stationary points: solve \(f'(x)=0\), then test with \(f''\) or a sign table.

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5.9Kinematics

The particle changes direction where \(v=0\) and \(v\) changes sign.

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5.10Indefinite integration

Integrate by inspection or substitution when you spot a function multiplied by (a multiple of) its derivative.

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5.11Definite integrals and areas

If the curve goes below the \(x\)-axis, integrate each section separately and add the absolute values.

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5.12Differentiation from first principles; higher derivatives HL

f'(x)=\lim_{h\to0}\frac{f(x+h)-f(x)}{h}\qquad f^{(n)}(x)=\frac{d^{n}y}{dx^{n}}

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5.13Limits and L'Hôpital's rule HL

Apply repeatedly if the result is still indeterminate.

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5.14Implicit differentiation, related rates and optimisation HL

Differentiate every term with respect to \(x\), then make \(\frac{dy}{dx}\) the subject.

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5.15Further derivatives and standard integrals HL

Reverse these for integrals, and use partial fractions for rational functions.

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5.16Integration by substitution and by parts HL

Choose \(u\) to become simpler when differentiated (logarithms first, then polynomials).

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5.17Areas with the y-axis and volumes of revolution HL

\text{Area with the }y\text{-axis}=\int_a^b x\,dyV=\pi\int_a^b y^{2}\,dx\ \ (\text{about the }x\text{-axis})\qquad V=\pi\int_a^b x^{2}\,dy\ \ (\text{about the }y\text{-axis})

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5.18First-order differential equations HL

\text{Euler: }y_{n+1}=y_n+h\,f(x_n,y_n),\quad x_{n+1}=x_n+h\text{Separable: }\int g(y)\,dy=\int f(x)\,dx\text{Homogeneous }\tfrac{dy}{dx}=f\!\left(\tfrac yx\right):\ \text{substitute }y=vx\text{Linear }\tfrac{dy}{dx}+P(x

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5.19Maclaurin series HL

Build new series by substitution, multiplication, differentiation or integration of known series.

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