Call Now to Set Up Tutoring:

(888) 888-0446

AP Calculus AB : Derivatives

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Calculus AB

Create An Account

All AP Calculus AB Resources

3 Diagnostic Tests 164 Practice Tests Question of the Day Flashcards Learn by Concept

Example Questions

Example Question #13 : Derivative Interpreted As An Instantaneous Rate Of Change

$\begin{align*}&\text{A particle at any point in time has the position :}\\&p(t)=cos(\frac{(\pi t)}{2}) - 4\\&\text{Determine its velocity at time }t=3\end{align*}$

Possible Answers:

-1.33

-0.33

1.57

Correct answer:

1.57

Explanation:

$\begin{align*}&\text{Velocity is the time rate of change of position. In lay terms,}\\&\text{it is an instantaneous measure of speed and direction. However,}\\&\text{going back to that first definition, note that it is a rate,}\\&\text{and whenever the term rate is used, derivatives should come}\\&\text{to mind. The rate of change of position with respect to time}\\&\text{is the derivative of position with respect to time:}\\&v(t)=\frac{dp(t)}{dt}\\&\text{Taking the derivative of our position function, }cos(\frac{(\pi t)}{2}) - 4\\&\text{We find the velocity function: }-\frac{(\pi sin(\frac{(\pi t)}{2}))}{2}\\&\text{Plugging in our value of time we then get:}\\&v(3)=-\frac{(\pi sin(\frac{(\pi (3))}{2}))}{2}\\&v(3)=1.57\end{align*}$

Report an Error

Example Question #14 : Derivative Interpreted As An Instantaneous Rate Of Change

$\begin{align*}&\text{A particle at any point in time has the position :}\\&p(t)=cos(2\cdot \pi t) - 6t + sin(7\cdot \pi t) + 3t^{2} + 5\\&\text{Determine its velocity at time }t=5\end{align*}$

Possible Answers:

2.01

10.2

-33.48

Correct answer:

2.01

Explanation:

$\begin{align*}&\text{Velocity is the time rate of change of position. In lay terms,}\\&\text{it is an instantaneous measure of speed and direction. However,}\\&\text{going back to that first definition, note that it is a rate,}\\&\text{and whenever the term rate is used, derivatives should come}\\&\text{to mind. The rate of change of position with respect to time}\\&\text{is the derivative of position with respect to time:}\\&v(t)=\frac{dp(t)}{dt}\\&\text{Taking the derivative of our position function, }cos(2\cdot \pi t) - 6t + sin(7\cdot \pi t) + 3t^{2} + 5\\&\text{We find the velocity function: }6t + 7\cdot \pi cos(7\cdot \pi t) - 2\cdot \pi sin(2\cdot \pi t) - 6\\&\text{Plugging in our value of time we then get:}\\&v(5)=6(5) + 7\cdot \pi cos(7\cdot \pi (5)) - 2\cdot \pi sin(2\cdot \pi (5)) - 6\\&v(5)=2.01\end{align*}$

Report an Error

Example Question #15 : Derivative Interpreted As An Instantaneous Rate Of Change

$\begin{align*}&\text{The position of a particle at a given time is given by the function:}\\&p(t)=- 6t - cos(\frac{(7\cdot \pi t)}{2}) - cos(\frac{(15\cdot \pi t)}{2}) - 4t^{2} - 3\\&\text{What is its velocity at time }t=4\text{?}\end{align*}$

Possible Answers:

-23.25

668.07

Correct answer:

Explanation:

$\begin{align*}&\text{Velocity is the time rate of change of position. In lay terms,}\\&\text{it is an instantaneous measure of speed and direction. However,}\\&\text{going back to that first definition, note that it is a rate,}\\&\text{and whenever the term rate is used, derivatives should come}\\&\text{to mind. The rate of change of position with respect to time}\\&\text{is the derivative of position with respect to time:}\\&v(t)=\frac{dp(t)}{dt}\\&\text{Taking the derivative of our position function, }- 6t - cos(\frac{(7\cdot \pi t)}{2}) - cos(\frac{(15\cdot \pi t)}{2}) - 4t^{2} - 3\\&\text{We find the velocity function: }\frac{(7\cdot \pi sin(\frac{(7\cdot \pi t)}{2}))}{2}- 8t +\frac{ (15\cdot \pi sin(\frac{(15\cdot \pi t)}{2}))}{2}- 6\\&\text{Plugging in our value of time we then get:}\\&v(4)=\frac{(7\cdot \pi sin(\frac{(7\cdot \pi (4))}{2}))}{2}- 8(4) +\frac{ (15\cdot \pi sin(\frac{(15\cdot \pi (4))}{2}))}{2}- 6\\&v(4)=-38\end{align*}$

Report an Error

Example Question #61 : Concept Of The Derivative

$\begin{align*}&\text{A particle at any point in time has the position :}\\&p(t)=sin(8\cdot \pi t) + 2\\&\text{Determine its velocity at time }t=4\end{align*}$

Possible Answers:

10.5

0.5

25.13

Correct answer:

25.13

Explanation:

$\begin{align*}&\text{Velocity is the time rate of change of position. In lay terms,}\\&\text{it is an instantaneous measure of speed and direction. However,}\\&\text{going back to that first definition, note that it is a rate,}\\&\text{and whenever the term rate is used, derivatives should come}\\&\text{to mind. The rate of change of position with respect to time}\\&\text{is the derivative of position with respect to time:}\\&v(t)=\frac{dp(t)}{dt}\\&\text{Taking the derivative of our position function, }sin(8\cdot \pi t) + 2\\&\text{We find the velocity function: }8\cdot \pi cos(8\cdot \pi t)\\&\text{Plugging in our value of time we then get:}\\&v(4)=8\cdot \pi cos(8\cdot \pi (4))\\&v(4)=25.13\end{align*}$

Report an Error

Example Question #11 : Derivative Interpreted As An Instantaneous Rate Of Change

$\begin{align*}&\text{At any given time, a particle has the position :}\\&p(t)=cos(4\cdot \pi t) - 2t - sin(2\cdot \pi t) - 3\\&\text{Calculate its acceleration at time }t=4\end{align*}$

Possible Answers:

-0.63

-8.28

-157.91

Correct answer:

-157.91

Explanation:

$\begin{align*}&\text{Just as velocity is the rate of change of position with respect}\\&\text{to time, acceleration is the rate of change of velocity with}\\&\text{respect to time. That is to say, acceleration is a measure of}\\&\text{how quickly velocity is changing. As velocity is the time derivative}\\&\text{of position, acceleration is the time derivative of velocity:}\\&a(t)=\frac{dv(t)}{dt}=\frac{d^2p(t)}{dt^2}\\&\text{Taking the derivative of our position function, }cos(4\cdot \pi t) - 2t - sin(2\cdot \pi t) - 3\\&\text{We find the velocity function: }- 2\cdot \pi cos(2\cdot \pi t) - 4\cdot \pi sin(4\cdot \pi t) - 2\\&\text{Taking the derivative of velocity gives, in turn, acceleration:}4\cdot \pi ^{2}sin(2\cdot \pi t) - 16\cdot \pi ^{2}cos(4\cdot \pi t)\\&\text{Now, to find the acceleration at our time of interest:}\\&a(4)=4\cdot \pi ^{2}sin(2\cdot \pi (4)) - 16\cdot \pi ^{2}cos(4\cdot \pi (4))\\&a(4)=-157.91\end{align*}$

Report an Error

Example Question #69 : Concept Of The Derivative

$\begin{align*}&\text{A particle at any point in time has the position :}\\&p(t)=5t + sin(3\cdot \pi t) - 6t^{2} + 1\\&\text{Determine its acceleration at time }t=3\end{align*}$

Possible Answers:

-4.22

-40.42

-18.28

Correct answer:

Explanation:

$\begin{align*}&\text{Just as velocity is the rate of change of position with respect}\\&\text{to time, acceleration is the rate of change of velocity with}\\&\text{respect to time. That is to say, acceleration is a measure of}\\&\text{how quickly velocity is changing. As velocity is the time derivative}\\&\text{of position, acceleration is the time derivative of velocity:}\\&a(t)=\frac{dv(t)}{dt}=\frac{d^2p(t)}{dt^2}\\&\text{Taking the derivative of our position function, }5t + sin(3\cdot \pi t) - 6t^{2} + 1\\&\text{We find the velocity function: }3\cdot \pi cos(3\cdot \pi t) - 12t + 5\\&\text{Taking the derivative of velocity gives, in turn, acceleration:}- 9\cdot \pi ^{2}sin(3\cdot \pi t) - 12\\&\text{Now, to find the acceleration at our time of interest:}\\&a(3)=- 9\cdot \pi ^{2}sin(3\cdot \pi (3)) - 12\\&a(3)=-12\end{align*}$

Report an Error

Example Question #11 : Derivative Interpreted As An Instantaneous Rate Of Change

$\begin{align*}&\text{At any given time, a particle has the position :}\\&p(t)=3t^{2} - sin(9\cdot \pi t) - 4t + 2\\&\text{Calculate its acceleration at time }t=6\end{align*}$

Possible Answers:

3.73

2.39

Correct answer:

Explanation:

$\begin{align*}&\text{Just as velocity is the rate of change of position with respect}\\&\text{to time, acceleration is the rate of change of velocity with}\\&\text{respect to time. That is to say, acceleration is a measure of}\\&\text{how quickly velocity is changing. As velocity is the time derivative}\\&\text{of position, acceleration is the time derivative of velocity:}\\&a(t)=\frac{dv(t)}{dt}=\frac{d^2p(t)}{dt^2}\\&\text{Taking the derivative of our position function, }3t^{2} - sin(9\cdot \pi t) - 4t + 2\\&\text{We find the velocity function: }6t - 9\cdot \pi cos(9\cdot \pi t) - 4\\&\text{Taking the derivative of velocity gives, in turn, acceleration:}81\cdot \pi ^{2}sin(9\cdot \pi t) + 6\\&\text{Now, to find the acceleration at our time of interest:}\\&a(6)=81\cdot \pi ^{2}sin(9\cdot \pi (6)) + 6\\&a(6)=6\end{align*}$

Report an Error

Example Question #701 : Derivatives

$\begin{align*}&\text{A particle at any point in time has the position :}\\&p(t)=cos(\frac{(15\cdot \pi t)}{2}) - sin(\frac{(7\cdot \pi t)}{2}) + 5\\&\text{Determine its acceleration at time }t=1\end{align*}$

Possible Answers:

34.56

23.56

-120.9

Correct answer:

-120.9

Explanation:

$\begin{align*}\\&a(t)=\frac{dv(t)}{dt}=\frac{d^2p(t)}{dt^2}\\&\text{Taking the derivative of our position function, }cos(\frac{(15\cdot \pi t)}{2}) - sin(\frac{(7\cdot \pi t)}{2}) + 5\\&\text{We find the velocity function: }-\frac{ (7\cdot \pi cos(\frac{(7\cdot \pi t)}{2}))}{2}-\frac{ (15\cdot \pi sin(\frac{(15\cdot \pi t)}{2}))}{2}\\&\text{Taking the derivative of velocity gives, in turn, acceleration: }\frac{(49\cdot \pi ^{2}sin(\frac{(7\cdot \pi t)}{2}))}{4}-\frac{ (225\cdot \pi ^{2}cos(\frac{(15\cdot \pi t)}{2}))}{4}\\&\text{Now, to find the acceleration at our time of interest:}\\&a(1)=\frac{(49\cdot \pi ^{2}sin(\frac{(7\cdot \pi (1))}{2}))}{4}-\frac{ (225\cdot \pi ^{2}cos(\frac{(15\cdot \pi (1))}{2}))}{4}\\&a(1)=-120.9\end{align*}$

Report an Error

Example Question #702 : Derivatives

$\begin{align*}&\text{A particle at any point in time has the position :}\\&p(t)=5t^{3} - cos(\pi t) - 6t^{2} - 4t + 5\\&\text{Determine its acceleration at time }t=1\end{align*}$

Possible Answers:

8.13

Correct answer:

8.13

Explanation:

$\begin{align*}&\text{Just as velocity is the rate of change of position with respect}\\&\text{to time, acceleration is the rate of change of velocity with}\\&\text{respect to time. That is to say, acceleration is a measure of}\\&\text{how quickly velocity is changing. As velocity is the time derivative}\\&\text{of position, acceleration is the time derivative of velocity:}\\&a(t)=\frac{dv(t)}{dt}=\frac{d^2p(t)}{dt^2}\\&\text{Taking the derivative of our position function, }5t^{3} - cos(\pi t) - 6t^{2} - 4t + 5\\&\text{We find the velocity function: }\pi sin(\pi t) - 12t + 15t^{2} - 4\\&\text{Taking the derivative of velocity gives, in turn, acceleration: }30t + \pi ^{2}cos(\pi t) - 12\\&\text{Now, to find the acceleration at our time of interest:}\\&a(1)=30(1) + \pi ^{2}cos(\pi (1)) - 12\\&a(1)=8.13\end{align*}$

Report an Error

Example Question #23 : Derivative Interpreted As An Instantaneous Rate Of Change

$\begin{align*}&\text{A particle at any point in time has the position :}\\&p(t)=sin(2\cdot \pi t) - 3t - 3t^{2} + 4t^{3} + 5\\&\text{Determine its acceleration at time }t=9\end{align*}$

Possible Answers:

32.73

921.28

102

210

Correct answer:

210

Explanation:

$\begin{align*}&\text{Just as velocity is the rate of change of position with respect}\\&\text{to time, acceleration is the rate of change of velocity with}\\&\text{respect to time. That is to say, acceleration is a measure of}\\&\text{how quickly velocity is changing. As velocity is the time derivative}\\&\text{of position, acceleration is the time derivative of velocity:}\\&a(t)=\frac{dv(t)}{dt}=\frac{d^2p(t)}{dt^2}\\&\text{Taking the derivative of our position function, }sin(2\cdot \pi t) - 3t - 3t^{2} + 4t^{3} + 5\\&\text{We find the velocity function: }2\cdot \pi cos(2\cdot \pi t) - 6t + 12t^{2} - 3\\&\text{Taking the derivative of velocity gives, in turn, acceleration: }24t - 4\cdot \pi ^{2}sin(2\cdot \pi t) - 6\\&\text{Now, to find the acceleration at our time of interest:}\\&a(9)=24(9) - 4\cdot \pi ^{2}sin(2\cdot \pi (9)) - 6\\&a(9)=210\end{align*}$

Report an Error

View AP Calculus AB Tutors

Nicholas
Certified Tutor

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Bachelor of Science, Chemical Engineering.

View AP Calculus AB Tutors

Abhisek
Certified Tutor

University of Florida, Bachelor of Engineering, Computer Science.

View AP Calculus AB Tutors

Magdy
Certified Tutor

Cairo University, Egypt, Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering. New Mexico State University-Main Campus, Doctor of Phil...

All AP Calculus AB Resources

3 Diagnostic Tests 164 Practice Tests Question of the Day Flashcards Learn by Concept

Popular Subjects

ACT Tutors in New York City, Computer Science Tutors in Dallas Fort Worth, Chemistry Tutors in Los Angeles, Algebra Tutors in Boston, Biology Tutors in New York City, Statistics Tutors in Chicago, Reading Tutors in Houston, Math Tutors in San Diego, English Tutors in Boston, GRE Tutors in Atlanta

Popular Courses & Classes

SAT Courses & Classes in Los Angeles, GMAT Courses & Classes in Atlanta, Spanish Courses & Classes in Seattle, GMAT Courses & Classes in Denver, SSAT Courses & Classes in Chicago, GRE Courses & Classes in San Diego, SSAT Courses & Classes in New York City, SAT Courses & Classes in Boston, LSAT Courses & Classes in Houston, Spanish Courses & Classes in Chicago

Popular Test Prep

GMAT Test Prep in Denver, GMAT Test Prep in Seattle, SAT Test Prep in Dallas Fort Worth, ACT Test Prep in San Francisco-Bay Area, SSAT Test Prep in Miami, LSAT Test Prep in Phoenix, SAT Test Prep in Atlanta, GMAT Test Prep in Washington DC, SAT Test Prep in Seattle, ACT Test Prep in New York City

DMCA Complaint

If you believe that content available by means of the Website (as defined in our Terms of Service) infringes one or more of your copyrights, please notify us by providing a written notice (“Infringement Notice”) containing the information described below to the designated agent listed below. If Varsity Tutors takes action in response to an Infringement Notice, it will make a good faith attempt to contact the party that made such content available by means of the most recent email address, if any, provided by such party to Varsity Tutors.

Your Infringement Notice may be forwarded to the party that made the content available or to third parties such as ChillingEffects.org.

Please be advised that you will be liable for damages (including costs and attorneys’ fees) if you materially misrepresent that a product or activity is infringing your copyrights. Thus, if you are not sure content located on or linked-to by the Website infringes your copyright, you should consider first contacting an attorney.

Please follow these steps to file a notice:

You must include the following:

A physical or electronic signature of the copyright owner or a person authorized to act on their behalf; An identification of the copyright claimed to have been infringed; A description of the nature and exact location of the content that you claim to infringe your copyright, in \ sufficient detail to permit Varsity Tutors to find and positively identify that content; for example we require a link to the specific question (not just the name of the question) that contains the content and a description of which specific portion of the question – an image, a link, the text, etc – your complaint refers to; Your name, address, telephone number and email address; and A statement by you: (a) that you believe in good faith that the use of the content that you claim to infringe your copyright is not authorized by law, or by the copyright owner or such owner’s agent; (b) that all of the information contained in your Infringement Notice is accurate, and (c) under penalty of perjury, that you are either the copyright owner or a person authorized to act on their behalf.

Send your complaint to our designated agent at:

Charles Cohn Varsity Tutors LLC
101 S. Hanley Rd, Suite 300
St. Louis, MO 63105

Or fill out the form below:

Do not fill in this field

Contact Information

* Full legal name

Company name

* Phone number

* Email address

Address

* Address1

Address2

* City

* State

* Zipcode

* Country

Complaint Details

* URL of copyrighted work (where your original material is located)

* Please describe the copyrighted work so that it may be easily identified

I am the owner, or an agent authorized to act on behalf of the owner of an exclusive right that is allegedly infringed.

I have a good faith belief that the use of the material in the manner complained of is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law.

This notification is accurate.

I acknowledge that there may be adverse legal consequences for making false or bad faith allegations of copyright infringement by using this process.

* Signature (your digital signature is legally binding)

HIGH SCHOOL

GRADUATE SCHOOL

K-8

Search 50+ Tests

math tutoring

science tutoring

foreign languages

elementary tutoring

other

Search 350+ Subjects

AP Calculus AB : Derivatives

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Calculus AB

All AP Calculus AB Resources

Example Questions

Example Question #13 : Derivative Interpreted As An Instantaneous Rate Of Change

Example Question #14 : Derivative Interpreted As An Instantaneous Rate Of Change

Example Question #15 : Derivative Interpreted As An Instantaneous Rate Of Change

Example Question #61 : Concept Of The Derivative

Example Question #11 : Derivative Interpreted As An Instantaneous Rate Of Change

Example Question #69 : Concept Of The Derivative

Example Question #11 : Derivative Interpreted As An Instantaneous Rate Of Change

Example Question #701 : Derivatives

Example Question #702 : Derivatives

Example Question #23 : Derivative Interpreted As An Instantaneous Rate Of Change

All AP Calculus AB Resources

Report an issue with this question

DMCA Complaint

Contact Information

Address

Complaint Details

Email address:
Your name:
Feedback: