AP Calculus BC

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Elementary Functions practice questions — AP Calculus BC

19 free multiple-choice problems on elementary functions, ordered to match AP Calculus BC difficulty, each with a full worked solution. No account needed — and there's a fresh problem set every day.

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Problem #0244 International
Mediumelementary-functions
For , , which statement is true?

Problems & worked solutions

Problem #0244 International

Problem 1 Elementary Functions

For f:(0,+)R, f(x)=1x, which statement is true?

Show answer & worked solution
  1. A. f is strictly increasing on (0,+)
  2. B. f is strictly decreasing on (0,+)✓ correct
  3. C. f has minimum on (0,+)
  4. D. f is constant on (0,+)

f(1)=1, f(2)=12. As x grows, 1x shrinks — f is strictly decreasing on (0,+).

Problem #0802 UK A-Level

Problem 2 Elementary Functions

The number of bacteria, N, in a sample t hours after observation begins is modelled by

N=400e0.5t.

Find the exact value of t at which N=1200.

Show answer & worked solution
  1. A. 12ln3
  2. B. ln3
  3. C. 2ln3✓ correct
  4. D. ln6

Set N=1200 and divide by 400:

1200=400e0.5t

e0.5t=3

Take natural logs of both sides:

0.5t=ln3

t=2ln3

So t=2ln32.20 hours.

Problem #0245 International

Problem 3 Elementary Functions

The solution of x2+3=x+1 (with x1) is:

Show answer & worked solution
  1. A. 1
  2. B. 1✓ correct
  3. C. 3
  4. D. No real solution

x2+3=(x+1)2=x2+2x+12=2xx=1. Check: 4=2=1+1 ✓.

Problem #0908 US Honors

Problem 4 Elementary Functions

A bacteria culture doubles in number every 3 hours. If the culture starts with 500 bacteria, how many bacteria are present after 12 hours?

Show answer & worked solution
  1. A. 2000
  2. B. 4000
  3. C. 8000✓ correct
  4. D. 6000

The number of doubling periods is 123=4. Each period multiplies the population by 2, so N=50024=50016=8000.

Problem #0827 International

Problem 5 Elementary Functions

Maya invests £2,000 in a savings account that pays 5% compound interest per year. The value of her investment after 3 years is:

Show answer & worked solution
  1. A. £2,300.00
  2. B. £2,315.25✓ correct
  3. C. £2,205.00
  4. D. £2,431.01

A=2000×(1+5100)3 A=2000×1.053=£2,315.25

Problem #0928 US SAT

Problem 6 Elementary Functions

A savings account starts with $2,000 and grows by 10% each year. What is the balance after 2 years?

Show answer & worked solution
  1. A. $2,200
  2. B. $2,400
  3. C. $2,420✓ correct
  4. D. $2,662

Growing by 10% each year multiplies the balance by 1.10, so after 2 years: 2000×(1.10)2 2000×1.21=2420 The balance after 2 years is $2,420.

(Adding a flat 10% of the original $200 each year is *linear* growth and gives only $2,400; applying the increase just once gives $2,200.)

Problem #0765 FR Spé

Problem 7 Elementary Functions

Solve over R the equation e2x4ex+3=0. The solution set is:

Show answer & worked solution
  1. A. {0; ln3}✓ correct
  2. B. {1; 3}
  3. C. {ln3}
  4. D. {1; ln3}

Set X=ex, so X > 0. The equation becomes X24X+3=0 (X1)(X3)=0 X=1orX=3 Both roots are positive, so substitute back: ex=1    x=0 ex=3    x=ln3 The solution set is {0; ln3}.

Problem #0248 International

Problem 8 Elementary Functions

The value of f(x)=x2 at x=3 is:

Show answer & worked solution
  1. A. 9
  2. B. 19✓ correct
  3. C. 6
  4. D. 9

f(3)=32=132=19.

Problem #0246 International

Problem 9 Elementary Functions

The maximal domain of f(x)=x24 is:

Show answer & worked solution
  1. A. [2,2]
  2. B. R
  3. C. (,2][2,+)✓ correct
  4. D. (2,+)

x240x2 or x2. Domain: (,2][2,+).

Problem #0247 International

Problem 10 Elementary Functions

For x(0,1), which inequality is correct?

Show answer & worked solution
  1. A. x2<x3
  2. B. x3<x2✓ correct
  3. C. x2=x3
  4. D. It depends on the specific value of x

For x(0,1), multiplying by x shrinks the value: x3=xx2<x2 since 0<x<1.

9 more Elementary Functions questions in the app

Also covered in Elementary Functions practice across every exam.

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