PLEASE NOTE: Each * will indicate one full mark earned on solutions where

full marks are not awarded.

Task 1: Knowledge/Understanding questions

7/11 marks
1. Evaluate the following limits algebraically
lim 4 x 2+ 1

a.

x 3

Answer
2

lim 4 x + 1
x 3

4 ( 3 )2+1
4 ( 9 ) +1
36+1
37

2*

lim

b.

x 2

x 2+ 2 x8
x 27 x+ 10

Answer
lim

x 2

x 2+ 2 x8
x 27 x+ 10

x 2 +2 x8
x 27 x +10

22 +2(2)8
2
2 7(2)+ 10

need to factor then cancel then sub in f(2)

4 +48
414+10

88
10+10

lim

c.

x+11

x 0

Answer

x +11 x +1+ 1

x
x +1+ 1

( x+1 ) 1
x ( x+ 1+ 1)

x
x ( x+ 1+ 1)

1
x +1+1

1
(0)+1+1

1
1+1

1
1+1

1
2

5*

3/3 marks
2. Determine whether the limit exists as x approaches -2 for the following piecewise
function. Explain your answer.

f ( x )= {5 x 23, x<2 } { 4 x+25, x >2 }

Answer
x

f ( x )=5 x 23

-3
-2.5
-2.01
-2.001

42
28.25
17.20
17.02

f ( x )=4 x+ 25

-1
-1.5
-1.9
-1.99

21
19
17.4
17.04

As x approaches 2 from right-hand and left-hand side of the graph, the limit is 17.
Since the limit is the same value when it is tested from both sides, the limit exists.
Therefore

lim f ( x ) =17
x 2

11/11 marks
3. Using the rules of derivatives, find the derivative of each of the following
a.

f ( x )=2 ( x 3 ) ( x 5 x )

Answer
f ( x )=2 ( x 23 ) ( x 35 x 2 )
f ' ( x )=( 2 x2 6 ) ( x 35 x 2 )
f ' ( x )=( 4 x ) ( x 35 x 2) + ( 2 x 26 ) ( 3 x210 x )
f ' ( x )=4 x 420 x 3+ 6 x 420 x 318 x 2+60 x
f ' ( x )=10 x 440 x 318 x 2 +60 x

g ( x ) =3 ( x3 5 x +1 )

b.

Answer
g ( x ) =3 ( x3 5 x +1 )

g' ( x )=3 [ 4 ( x 35 x +1 ) ( 3 x 25 ) ]
3

'

g ( x )=12 ( 3 x 5 ) ( x 5 x+1 )

c.

y=

6 x 2+ 1
5 x2 2

Answer
6 x 2+ 1
y= 2
5 x 2
2
2
dy ( 12 x ) ( 5 x 2 ) ( 6 x +1 ) (10 x )
=
2
dx
( 5 x 22 )
3

dy 60 x 24 x60 x 10 x
=
2
dx
( 5 x 22 )
dy
34 x
=
dx ( 5 x 22 )2

Task 2: Thinking questions

4/5 marks
3
2
4. For the function f ( x )=2 x +3 x , determine the points on the curve, where the slope

of the tangent is 36.

Answer

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

f ( a )=2 a +3 a

f ( a+ h )=2 ( a+ h ) + 3 ( a+h )

f (a+h)=2 ( a 3+ h3 +3 a h2 +3 a2 h ) +3 ( a2+ h2 +2 ah )
f (a+h)=2 a 3+2 h3 +6 a h2+ 6 a2 h+3 a2 +3 h2 +6 ah

Using the limit formula

lim
h0

lim

f ( a+h )f ( a )
h

( 2 a3 +2 h3 +6 a h2 +6 a2 h+ 3 a2 +3 h2 +6 ah ) ( 2 a3 +3 a2 )
h

h0

lim

( 2 a3 +2 h3 +6 a h2 +6 a2 h+ 3 a2 +3 h2 +6 ah ) 2 a33 a 2
h

h0
3

2 h +6 a h +6 a h+3 h + 6 ah
lim
h
h0
2

h(2 h +6 ah+ 6 a +3 h+6 a)

lim
h
h0

lim 2 h2 +6 ah+6 a2 +3 h+6 a

h0

Substitute h=0
2

2 h + 6 ah+6 a +3 h+ 6 a
2

2(0) + 6 a(0)+6 a +3 (0)+6 a

0+0+ 6 a2 +0+6 a
6 a2 +6 a
2
Slope 6 a +6 a

We now need to find the tangent point for slope 36

36=6 a +6 a
2

6 a +6 a36=0

x=

b b24 ac
2a

6 624 ( 6 ) (36)
x=
2(6)
x=

6 36+864
12

x=

6 900
12

x=

6 30
12

a=2 and a=3

3

f ( a )=2 a +3 a

f ( 2 )=2(2)3 +3 ( 2 )2=28
f ( 3 ) =2(3)3+3 (3)2=81 -27

The points on the curve where the slope of the tangent is 36 are ( 2,28 )(3,81) 4*

5/5 marks
3
2
5. For the functions f ( x )=5 x and g ( x ) =4 x , prove that the derivative of the sum

of the function is equal to the sum of the derivative of each function.

'

[ f ( x ) +g ( x ) ] =f ' ( x ) + g' ( x)
Answer

f ( x )=5 x 3 and

g ( x ) =4 x 2

f ( x ) + g ( x ) =5 x 3 +4 x2
'

[ f ( x ) +g ( x ) ] =15 x 2+ 8 x
f ' ( x )=15 x2
g' ( x )=8 x
f ' ( x )+ g ' ( x )=15 x2 +8 x
15 x2 +8 x=15 x 2+ 8 x
'

'
'
Hence [ f ( x ) +g ( x ) ] =f ( x ) + g ( x)

13/15 marks
6. Sketch the graph of

y=

2 3 2
x + x +24 x5
3

by determining the location of any local

maximum or minimum points, and the intervals of increasing and decreasing.

Answer
As we know that the slope of a local maximum or minimum point is 0, we will first
calculate the general formula of slopes and then find the value of the points by
substitution.

y=

2 3 2
x + x +24 x5
3

f ( x )=

2 3 2
x + x +24 x5
3

f ( x +h )=

2
( x +h )3 + ( x+ h )2 +24 ( x +h )5
3

f ( x +h )=

2 3 3
( x +h +3 x 2 h+3 x h2 ) + x 2+ h2 +2 xh+ 24 x+ 24 h5
3

f ( x +h )=

2 3 2 3
x h 2 x 2 h2 x h2+ x2 +h 2+2 xh+24 x +24 h5
3
3

'

f ( x ) lim
h 0

f ( x +h )f ( x )
h

2 3 2 3
2 3 2
x h 2 x 2 h2 x h 2+ x 2 +h2 +2 xh+24 x +24 h5
x + x +24 x5
3
3
3

2 3 2 3
2
x h 2 x 2 h2 x h 2+ x 2 +h2 +2 xh+24 x +24 h5+ x 3x 224 x +5
3
3
3

h
2 3
2
2
2
h 2 x h2 x h +h + 2 xh+24 h
3

h
h

( 23 h 2 x 2 x h +h+2 x+ 24)
2

h
2 2
2
1
h 2 x 2 x h +h+2 x+ 24
3
h=0

2
( 0 )22 x2 2 x ( 0 ) + ( 0 ) +2 x+ 24
3
2

2 x +2 x +24
b b24 ac
x=
2a
2 224 (2 ) (24)
x=
2(2)
x=4

and x=3

Hence the two local points are as follows

Maximum point

f ( 4 )=

2 3
( 4 ) + ( 4 )2+ 24 ( 4 )5
3

2
( 64 ) +16+ 965
3
64. 3

(4,64.3)

At the local maximum point, the direction of the curve changes from increasing to
decreasing, from left to right.
Minimum point
f (3 )=

2
(3 )3+ (3 )2 +24 (3 ) 5
3

2
(27 )+ 9725
3
50

(3,50)

At the local minimum point, the direction of the curve changes from decreasing to
increasing, from left to right.
We will first plot the two extrema and then draw the curves.

13* very good except you never stated the intervals of increase and decrease.
Showing the graph is not enough.

Task 3: Communication questions

12/12 marks
7. Define each of the following mathematical terms:
a. Extrema

Answer
The maximum and minimum values of a function on a graph are collectively called
extrema. Global and local maximum and minimum points are together called extrema.
b. Derivative
Answer
The derivative of a function is the instantaneous rate of change or the slope of a
'
tangent line at a specific point on the function. A derivative is denoted as f ( x ) ,
pronounced as f prime of x.
c. Constant function
Answer
A constant function is f ( a )=a where a , is a real number. The graph of such a
function is a horizontal line with a slope 0. The output value of such a function is the
same as the input value. There is no variable in the function.
d. First principle of derivatives
Answer
The first principle of derivatives is the formula used to calculate the derivative of a
'
function. f ( x )=lim
h0

f ( x +h ) f (x )
h

It is a function itself.

e. Differentiation
Answer
The process of finding a derivative of a function is called differentiation.
f. Instantaneous rate of change
Answer

The instantaneous rate of change is the slope of a tangent to a curve. It is the change
of one function in relation to another at a specific point on the graph.
5/5 marks
8. What is the difference between a local minimum point and a global minimum point?
Sketch a function where a local minimum point is also the global minimum point.
Answer
A local minimum point is the point on a graph where the direction changes from
decreasing to increasing. It is called a local point as it is not necessarily the lowest
point on the graph.
A global minimum point is the lowest point of a function on the graph. It is also called
the Absolute minimum point. It can be a local minimum point or can also be end point
on the graph.

8/8 marks
2
9. For the function f ( x )=( 3 x +2 ) (2 x 1) :

a. Find the derivative using the product rule

Answer
f ( x )=( 3 x +2 ) ( 2 x 21 )

Let g ( x ) =( 3 x +2 )
'
Then g ( x )=3

2
Let h ( x )=( 2 x 1 )
'
Then h ( x )=4 x

f ' ( x )=3 ( 2 x 21 ) + 4 x ( 3 x +2 )
f ' ( x )=6 x 23+12 x2 +8 x
f ' ( x )=18 x2 +8 x3

b. Expand and simplify the function, then use the sum and difference rule to find the
derivative.
Answer
f ( x )=( 3 x +2 ) ( 2 x 21 )
f ( x )=6 x 33 x +4 x 22
f ( x )=6 x 3 +4 x 23 x2
f ' ( x )=18 x2 +8 x3

c. What do you conclude from the results in parts (a) and (b)?

Answer
The result of parts (a) and (b) are the same. This concludes that the derivative of a
function that is a product of two functions can be calculated using the product
formula. In case there are more than two functions it needs to be simplified to two
functions to apply the product rule.
'
'
'
It proves that if F ( x )=f ( x ) g ( x ) then F ( x ) =f ( x ) g ( x )+ f ( x ) g ( x )

The result will be the same if the function is simplified into one function and then
derivative is calculated.
This proves that the product rule and sum and difference rule all can be used to arrive
at a derivative.

Task 4: Application questions

14/15 marks
2
10. The equation M ( t )=120.2t models the mass of un-dissolved table salt in a glass

of water, where M (t) represents the mass of salt, in grams, and t represents time, in
seconds.
a. When will all of the table salt be dissolved? Round your answer to two decimal
points.
Answer
All the salt will be dissolved when the mass of the salt in water is 0
M ( t )=120.2t 2
0=120.2 t
12=0.2 t

12 2
=t
0.2
2

t =60
t=7.745966692

t=7.75 seconds

All the salt will be dissolved at 7.75 seconds 2*

b. Use the secant method to find the average rate at which the salt is dissolving for
the interval 5.5<t< 6.5 .
Answer
First point
x=5.5

y=120.2(5.5)2
y=5.95

( x , y )=(5.5,5 .95)

Second point
x=6.5

y=120.2(6.5)2
y=3.55

( x , y )=(5.5,3 .55)

Slope

3.555.95
6.55.51

2.4
1

The average rate at which the salt is dissolving for the interval 5.5<t< 6.5 is 2.4g/sec
The rate is decreasing, hence the negative sign. 3*
c. Use the method of first principles to find the rate at which the salt is dissolving at
exactly 6 seconds. (Note : Using the correct method and showing steps in this
solution will be worth marks)

Answer
M ( t )=120.2t 2

OR
f (t)=120.2t 2
f ( t +h )=120.2 ( t+h )2
f ( t +h )=120.2 ( t 2 +h 2+2 th )
f ( t +h )=120.2 t 20.2h 20.4 th
f ( t +h )=0.2 t 20.2 h20.4 th+12

f ' ( t ) =lim

h 0

f ( t +h )f (t )
h

(0.2 t 2 0.2 h20.4 th+12)(120.2t 2 )

h
h 0

f ' ( t ) =lim

0.2t 0.2 h 0.4 th+12120.2 t

h
h 0

f ' ( t ) =lim

0.2h 20.4 th
h
h0

f ' ( t ) =lim
f ' ( t ) =lim

h 0

h(0.2 h0.4 t)
h

f ' ( t ) =lim 0.2 h0.4 t

h 0

0.2 ( 0 )0.4 t
0.4 t

When t=6 , Slope 0.4 ( 6 )=2.4

The salt is dissolving at exactly 6 seconds at 2.4g/sec 5*

d. When is the salt dissolving at a rate of 1.6g/sec?

Answer
Slope=0.4 t

- 1.6=0.4 t
t=4

As time cannot be negative (true but should tell you there is a calc error when this
occurs) , the answer is 4 seconds.*
e. Use GeoGebra to sketch a graph of the function between the x- and y- intercepts.
Refer to the video in lesson two on how to create graphs with restrictions on the
domain and insert them into your assignment. Make sure to label your axes with
title and give graph an overall title
Answer3*

7/ 10 marks
2
11. Determine the equations of the tangent line to the graph of f ( x )=3 x (5 x +1) that

y=8 x +9 . Use GeoGebra to sketch a graph of the function,

tangent lines, and the line y=8 x +9

are parallel to the line

Answer

We will first find the slope of line

y=8 x +9

y=mx +b where , m=slopeb= y intercept

Hence the slope is 8

We will now find the point of tangency with slope 8 to the graph of
f ( x )=3 x (5 x2 +1)

f ( x )=3 x (5 x +1)
f ' ( x )=3 ( 5 x2 +1 ) +10 x (3 x )
f ' ( x )=15 x2 +3+30 x 2
'
2
f ( x )=45 x +3

We will now equate the slope of the line with the function of the
derivative to find the point of tangency.
8=45 x 2+3
5=45 x2
5
=x 2
45
x=

1
3
2

( ) ( )( ( ) )

(13 )

( 13 )= 59 + 1=

1
1
1
=3
5
+1
3
3
3

y=

and

14
9

The equation is

y=m ( xx 1 ) + y 1

( 13 )+ 149

y=8 x

8 14
y=8 x +
3 9
y=8 x

38
9

need to subtract in the numerator not add

5*
As the equation

y=8 x +9

intersects the graph the new equation parallel to it also

2
intersects the graph. There is no tangent to the graph of f ( x )=3 x (5 x +1) which is

parallel to the line

y=8 x +9 .

2* based on your equations