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  1. AP Calculus
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Define a Limit.

The value that a function approaches as the input approaches a certain value.

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Define a Limit.

The value that a function approaches as the input approaches a certain value.

What is an indeterminate form?

An expression whose limit cannot be evaluated directly (e.g., 0/0, ∞/∞).

Define L'Hôpital's Rule.

A method to evaluate limits of indeterminate forms by taking the derivative of the numerator and denominator.

What is the Squeeze Theorem?

If f(x)leg(x)leh(x)f(x) le g(x) le h(x)f(x)leg(x)leh(x) and lim⁡x→af(x)=lim⁡x→ah(x)=L\lim_{x \to a} f(x) = \lim_{x \to a} h(x) = Llimx→a​f(x)=limx→a​h(x)=L, then lim⁡x→ag(x)=L\lim_{x \to a} g(x) = Llimx→a​g(x)=L.

Define Continuity.

A function is continuous at a point if the limit exists at that point, the function is defined at that point, and the limit equals the function value.

What is a rational function?

A function that can be expressed as the quotient of two polynomials.

Define a composite function.

A function that is formed by combining two functions, where the output of one function becomes the input of the other.

What is meant by algebraic manipulation?

The process of rewriting an expression using algebraic rules to simplify it or transform it into a more useful form.

What is a conjugate?

An expression formed by changing the sign between two terms in a binomial, often used to rationalize denominators.

What does it mean for a limit to 'not exist'?

The function does not approach a specific value as x approaches a certain point, or the left-hand limit and right-hand limit are not equal.

Sum Limit Law Formula

lim⁡x→c[f(x)+g(x)]=lim⁡x→cf(x)+lim⁡x→cg(x)\lim_{x \to c} [f(x) + g(x)] = \lim_{x \to c} f(x) + \lim_{x \to c} g(x)limx→c​[f(x)+g(x)]=limx→c​f(x)+limx→c​g(x)

Difference Limit Law Formula

lim⁡x→c[f(x)−g(x)]=lim⁡x→cf(x)−lim⁡x→cg(x)\lim_{x \to c} [f(x) - g(x)] = \lim_{x \to c} f(x) - \lim_{x \to c} g(x)limx→c​[f(x)−g(x)]=limx→c​f(x)−limx→c​g(x)

Product Limit Law Formula

lim⁡x→c[f(x)⋅g(x)]=lim⁡x→cf(x)⋅lim⁡x→cg(x)\lim_{x \to c} [f(x) \cdot g(x)] = \lim_{x \to c} f(x) \cdot \lim_{x \to c} g(x)limx→c​[f(x)⋅g(x)]=limx→c​f(x)⋅limx→c​g(x)

Quotient Limit Law Formula

lim⁡x→cf(x)g(x)=lim⁡x→cf(x)lim⁡x→cg(x)\lim_{x \to c} \frac{f(x)}{g(x)} = \frac{\lim_{x \to c} f(x)}{\lim_{x \to c} g(x)}limx→c​g(x)f(x)​=limx→c​g(x)limx→c​f(x)​, provided lim⁡x→cg(x)≠0\lim_{x \to c} g(x) \neq 0limx→c​g(x)=0

L'Hôpital's Rule Formula

If lim⁡x→cf(x)=0\lim_{x \to c} f(x) = 0limx→c​f(x)=0 and lim⁡x→cg(x)=0\lim_{x \to c} g(x) = 0limx→c​g(x)=0, then lim⁡x→cf(x)g(x)=lim⁡x→cf′(x)g′(x)\lim_{x \to c} \frac{f(x)}{g(x)} = \lim_{x \to c} \frac{f'(x)}{g'(x)}limx→c​g(x)f(x)​=limx→c​g′(x)f′(x)​

Constant Multiple Limit Law

lim⁡x→c[k⋅f(x)]=k⋅lim⁡x→cf(x)\lim_{x \to c} [k \cdot f(x)] = k \cdot \lim_{x \to c} f(x)limx→c​[k⋅f(x)]=k⋅limx→c​f(x)

Power Limit Law

lim⁡x→c[f(x)]n=[lim⁡x→cf(x)]n\lim_{x \to c} [f(x)]^n = [\lim_{x \to c} f(x)]^nlimx→c​[f(x)]n=[limx→c​f(x)]n

Limit of a Constant

lim⁡x→ck=k\lim_{x \to c} k = klimx→c​k=k

Limit of x

lim⁡x→cx=c\lim_{x \to c} x = climx→c​x=c

Squeeze Theorem Formula

If f(x)≤g(x)≤h(x)f(x) \leq g(x) \leq h(x)f(x)≤g(x)≤h(x) for all x near c, and lim⁡x→cf(x)=L=lim⁡x→ch(x)\lim_{x \to c} f(x) = L = \lim_{x \to c} h(x)limx→c​f(x)=L=limx→c​h(x), then lim⁡x→cg(x)=L\lim_{x \to c} g(x) = Llimx→c​g(x)=L.

How does a hole in a graph relate to limits?

A hole indicates that the function is not defined at that x-value, but the limit may still exist if the function approaches a specific y-value.

How does a vertical asymptote on a graph relate to limits?

A vertical asymptote indicates that the limit approaches infinity (or negative infinity) as x approaches a certain value from one or both sides.

What does it mean if a graph oscillates rapidly near a point when considering limits?

It suggests that the limit does not exist because the function does not approach a single value.

How can you identify one-sided limits from a graph?

Examine the behavior of the function as x approaches the value from the left and from the right separately.

How does the graph of a function indicate continuity at a point?

The graph must not have any breaks, holes, or jumps at that point. You should be able to draw the graph through that point without lifting your pen.

How can a graph help visualize the Squeeze Theorem?

You can see the function being 'squeezed' between two other functions that converge to the same limit.

What does the graph of y = sin(x)/x tell us about its limit as x approaches 0?

The graph visually shows that as x approaches 0, the function approaches 1, even though the function is undefined at x = 0.

How does the slope of a tangent line on a graph relate to limits?

The slope of the tangent line at a point is the limit of the difference quotient as h approaches 0, which represents the derivative at that point.

How can you use a graph to determine infinite limits?

Look for vertical asymptotes. If the function approaches infinity (or negative infinity) as x approaches a certain value, then the limit is infinite.

How does a jump discontinuity affect the limit of a function?

The limit does not exist at a jump discontinuity because the left-hand limit and the right-hand limit are not equal.