AP Calculus BC

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Applications of Derivatives practice questions — AP Calculus BC

13 free multiple-choice problems on applications of derivatives, 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 #0219 International
Advancedcalculus
The function is decreasing on:

Problems & worked solutions

Problem #0219 International

Problem 1 Applications of Derivatives

The function f(x)=x33x2 is decreasing on:

Show answer & worked solution
  1. A. R
  2. B. (,0)
  3. C. (0,2)✓ correct
  4. D. (2,+)

f(x)<00<x<2. So f is decreasing on (0,2). (Increasing on (,0) and (2,+).)

Problem #0220 International

Problem 2 Applications of Derivatives

Among rectangles with perimeter 20, the one with maximum area has dimensions:

Show answer & worked solution
  1. A. 4×6
  2. B. 3×7
  3. C. 5×5✓ correct
  4. D. 2×8

A(x)=10xx2. A(x)=102x=0x=5. The maximum-area rectangle is the square 5×5, with area 25.

Problem #0215 International

Problem 3 Applications of Derivatives

For the same position x(t)=t36t2+9t, the acceleration at t=1 is:

Show answer & worked solution
  1. A. 6 m/s2✓ correct
  2. B. 0 m/s2
  3. C. 6 m/s2
  4. D. 9 m/s2

a(t)=x(t)=6t12. At t=1: a=6 m/s².

Problem #0216 International

Problem 4 Applications of Derivatives

The function f(x)=x3 is concave on:

Show answer & worked solution
  1. A. R
  2. B. (,0)✓ correct
  3. C. (0,+)
  4. D. nowhere

f(x)=6x. f<0x<0. So f is concave on (,0).

Problem #0881 US AP

Problem 5 Applications of Derivatives

The function f(x)=x2 is:

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  1. A. convex on R (f(x)>0)✓ correct
  2. B. concave on R
  3. C. convex only on (0,)
  4. D. has an inflection point at x=0

f(x)=2x and f(x)=2>0 for all xR.

Since f(x)>0 everywhere, f is convex (concave up) on all of R — no inflection point.

Problem #0217 International

Problem 6 Applications of Derivatives

The point of inflection of f(x)=x33x is at:

Show answer & worked solution
  1. A. x=1
  2. B. x=0✓ correct
  3. C. x=1
  4. D. f has no inflection

f(x)=3x23, f(x)=6x. f changes sign at x=0, so the inflection is at x=0.

Problem #0218 International

Problem 7 Applications of Derivatives

The function f(x)=x2+4x1 has a local maximum at:

Show answer & worked solution
  1. A. x=2
  2. B. x=0
  3. C. x=2✓ correct
  4. D. x=4

f(x)=2x+4=0x=2. f(x)=2<0, confirming a local maximum.

Problem #0880 US AP

Problem 8 Applications of Derivatives

The function f(x)=x33x is decreasing on the interval:

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

f(x)=3x23=3(x1)(x+1).

f(x)<0 when (x1)(x+1)<0, i.e. on (1,1).

So f is decreasing on (1,1).

Problem #0214 International

Problem 9 Applications of Derivatives

A particle's position is x(t)=t36t2+9t (in metres, t in seconds). The velocity at t=2 is:

Show answer & worked solution
  1. A. 3 m/s✓ correct
  2. B. 0 m/s
  3. C. 3 m/s
  4. D. 9 m/s

v(t)=3t212t+9. At t=2: v=1224+9=3 m/s (the particle is moving backward).

Problem #0017 International

Problem 10 Applications of Derivatives

For which value of a does f(x)=x33ax+1 have a local minimum at x=2?

Show answer & worked solution
  1. A. a=1
  2. B. a=2
  3. C. a=3
  4. D. a=4✓ correct

f(x)=3x23a, so f(2)=123a=0a=4. Check: f(x)=6x, so f(2)=12>0, confirming a local minimum.

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