556: CE Board November 1997

Evaluate:

lim

x 1

x 21
x 2+3 x4

A. 1/5
B. 2/5
C. 3/5
D. 4/5
Solution:

lim

x 1

x 21
x 2+3 x4

Substitute x=1:

(1)2 1
0
= , indeterminate
2
0
x 1 (1) +3(1)4

lim

Note: Using LHospitals rule, differentiate separately the numerator and

denominator and substitute the value of limit to the variable.

lim

2x
2 x +3

lim

2(1) 2
=
2 (1 )+3 5

x 1

x 1

557: ECE Board April 1998

Evaluate:

(x4)
x 4 ( x x12)
lim

A. Undefined
B. 0
C. Infinity
D. 1/7
Solution:

(x4)
x 4 (x x12)
lim

Substitute x=4:

(44 )
0
=
0 , Indeterminate
x 4 (4 412)
lim

Apply LHospitals rule & substitute x=4:

lim

1
2 x 1

lim

1
1
=
2( 4)1 7

x4

x4

558. ME Board April 1998

Evaluate:

lim

x4

x 216
x4

A. 0
B. 1
C. 8
D. 16
Solution:

lim

x4

x 216
x4

Substitute x=4:

lim

x4

4 216 0
=
44 0 , Indeterminate

Apply LHospitals rule & substitute x=4:

lim

x4

2x
=2 x
1

lim 2 ( 4 )=8
x4

559: ECE Board April 1993

M =lim

Evaluate:

x 2

x 24
x2

A. 0
B. 2
C. 4
D. 6
Solution:
2

lim

x 2

x 4
x2

Substitute x=2:

lim

x 2

224 0
=
22 0 , Indeterminate

Apply LHospitals rule & substitute x=2:

lim

x4

2x
=2 x
1

lim 2 ( 2 )=4
x4

560: EE Board April 1995

Evaluate:
A. 0
B.
C. 2
D. -1/2
Solution:

lim

x 0

1cos x
x2

lim

1cos x
2
x

lim

1cos 0 0
=
2
0 , Indeterminate
0

x 0

x 0

Apply LHospitals rule & substitute x=0:

lim

sinx
2x

lim

sin 0 0
=
2(0) 0 , Indeterminate

x 0

x 0

Apply LHospitals rule again:

lim

cosx
2

lim

cos 0 1
=
2
2

x 0

x 0

561: ME Board October 1997

Compute the following limit:

lim

x+ 4
x 4

A. 1
B. 0
C. 2
D. Infinite
Solution:

lim

x+ 4
x 4

Substitute x=:

lim

+4
=
4 , Indeterminate,

Apply LHospitals rule & substitute x=:

1
lim =1
x 1

562: EE Board October 1994

3 x 4 2 x 2 +7
lim
Evaluate: x 5 x 3+ x 3
A. Undefined
B. 3/5
C. Infinity
D. Zero
Solution:

lim

3 x 4 2 x 2 +7
5 x 3+ x 3

Substitute x=:

3 42 2 +7
lim
=
3
, Indeterminate
x 5 +3
Apply LHospitals rule and x=:

12 x 34 x
2
x 15 x + 1
lim

12 34
lim
=
2
, Indeterminate
x 15 + 1
Apply LHospitals rule again:

lim

36 x 24
30 x

lim

36 24
=
30
, Indeterminate

Apply again LHospitals rule:

72 x 72
=
=
30
x 30
lim

563: EE Board November 1991

Evaluate:

lim ( x 2 +3 x4 )
x 4

A. 24
B. 26
C. 28
D. 30
Solution:

lim ( x2 +3 x4 )
x 4

Substitute x=4:

lim ( 4 2+3 (4)4 )

x4

lim 24
x4

564: ECE Board November 1994

tan

Evaluate:
A.

e2

B.

2/

C. 0
D.

Solution:

lim (2x )
x 1

x
2

tan

lim (2x )

x
2

x 1

Substitute x=1:
tan

lim (21)

(1)
=1
2

x 1

, Indeterminate

Take in both sides:

tan

In

lim ln (2x )

In

(2x )
ln
x
lim tan
2
x 1

In

x
2

x 1

ln(2x )
1
x
tan
2
lim
x 1

ln( 2x)
x
cot
2

Note:
D (lnu) =

du
u

and d (tan u) = -csc2 u du

Apply LHospitals rule:

1
1
2x
21
lim
=
In x 1
x
cos 2 ( ) csc 2 (1 ) ( )
2 2
2 2

1
=
2
2

In Lim =2/
Take exponential on both sides:

eln Lim=e2/
Lim=e2/
565: EE Board October 1997
Differentiate

y=e cos x

A.

e x sin x 2 x

B.

x 22 x sin x 2
cos
ex

C.

e x cos x 22 x sin x2

D.

2 xe sin x

Solution:
y=ex cos x2
Note: d (uv) = udv + vdu
where:
u=ex; du=ex; v=cos x2; dv=-2x sinx2
y=ex (-2x sinx2) + cos x2ex
y=ex (cosx2-2x sin x2)

566: EE Board October 1997

Differentiate

y=sec (x 2+ 2)

A.

2 x cos( x2 +2)

B.

cos ( x 2+2 ) cot (x 2+2)

C.

2 x sec(x 2 +2) tan(x 2+ 2)

2

D. cos( x +2)

Solution:
y=sec(x2+2)
Note: d sec u=sec u tan u du
Where: u=x2 + 2; du=2x
y=sec(x2+2) tan(x2+2) (2x)
y=2xsec(x2+2) tan(x2+2)
567: CE Board November 1994
3

What is the derivative with respect to x of (x+ 1) x

A. 3x+6
B. 3x-3
C. 6x-3
D. 6x+3
Solution:
y=(x+1)3-x3
Note: d (u) n=nun-1du
y=3(x+1)2-3(x) 2(1)
y=3(x+1)2-3(x) 2
y=3(x2+2x+1)-3x2
y=3x2+6x+3-3x2
y=6x+3

568: EE Board October 1997

Differentiate

y=log 10( x 2 +1)2

x 2+1
4 x

A.

4 x log 10 e

B.

x +1

C.

log e ( x ) ( x 2+ 1)

D.

2 x (x 2 +1)

Solution:

y=log 10( x 2 +1)2

du
Note: d (log10u) =log10e ( u )
where:
u=(x2+1)2
du=2(x2+1) (2x) =4x(x2+1)

4 x( x 2 +1)
y =log 10 e
( x 2 +1)2
'

y'=

4 x log 10 e
x 2+ 1

569: EE Board October 1997

Differentiate
2

A.

1 /2

(x + 2)
2

(x 2+ 2)1 /2

B.

x
1 /2
( x + 2)

C.

2x
1 /2
( x + 2)

D.

(x 2+ 2)3 /2

Solution:
2

1 /2

y= (x + 2)

Note: d (u) n=nun-1du

Where: n=1/2; u=x2+2; du=2x
1

1
1 2
2
(
x
+2
)
(2 x)
y= 2

y=x(x2+2)-1/2

x
y= ( x 2+2)1/ 2

570: EE Board October 1997

If

y=(t 2 +2)2

A.

3
2

B.

2 x +2x
3

C.

2( x+ 2)

D.

x 5/ 2+ x 1 /2

Solution:

and t=x

1/ 2

dy
, determine dx .

t=x

1/ 2

Eq.1

y=(t 2 +2)2 Eq.2

Substitute Eq.1 in Eq.2:

y=[ (x 1/ 2)2+2 ]

y=(x+2)2
y=2(x+2)
571: ME Board April 1997
x

What is the first derivative of the expression (xy) =e ?

A. 0
B.

x
y

C.

xy
1+ln

D.

xy
1ln

Solution:

(xy) x =e
Take in both sides:
ln (xy) x = ln e
x ln (xy) = 1
Note: d (uv) = udv + vdu
Differentiating both sides:

'

x y +y
+lnxy ( 1 )=0
xy

xy+ y + y ln xy = 0
xy=-y y ln xy
xy= -y (1 + ln xy)

y
x (1 + ln xy)

y=

572: ME Board April 1998

Find the derivative with respect to x the function

A.

2 x2
23 x 2

B.

3 x
23 x 2

C.

3 x2
23 x 2

D.

3x
23 x 2

Solution:

y= 23 x 2
Note:

d u=

du
2 u

Where: u=2-3x2; du=-6x

y'=

'

y=

6 x
2 23 x 2
3 x
23 x 2

23 x 2

573: EE Board April 1995

Find y if y=arc sin cos x
A. -1
B. -2
C. 1
D. 2

Solution:
y=arc sin cos x
Note: d (sin-1u) =

du
1u 2

Where: u=cos x; u2=cos2x; du=-sinx

sinx
sin x
=
2
y= 1cos x sin 2 x
sin x
sin x

y=-1
574: CE Board May 1997
Find the derivative of arc cos 4x.
A.

4
(116 x 2)0.5

B.

4
(116 x 2)0.5

C.

4
(14 x 2)0.5

D.

4
2 0.5
(14 x )

Solution:
Y=cos-1 4x

du
Note: d (cos u) = 1u 2
-1

Where: u=4x;
'

y=

4
116 x 2

u2=16 x 2 ; du=4

y'=

( 116 x 2 )

0.5

575: CE Board November 1995

3

( x+ 1)
x

Find the derivative of

3

A.

( x+ 1) (x +1)

x
x

B.

4( x+1) 2(x +1)

x
x

C.

2( x+1)3 ( x+1)3

x
x

D.

3 (x+1) ( x+ 1)

x
x

Solution:
3

y=

(x +1)
x

Note:

( uv )= vduudv
v
2

Where:
u=(x+1)3; du=3x(x+1)2
v=x; v2=x2; dv=1
2

y'=

3 x ( x +1)2 ( x+ 1 )3
y=

x2
x2
'

x ( 3 ) ( x +1) ( x+1 ) (1)

2
x

3(x+ 1)2 ( x +1 )3
y=

x
x2
'

576: ECE Board November 1991

Differentiate the equation

A.

x2 +2 x
( x+ 1)2

B.

x
x +1

y=

x2
x+ 1

C. 2x
2

2x
x +1

D.

Solution:

y=

x2
x+ 1

( uv )= vduudv
v
2

Where:
u=x2; du=2x
v=x + 1; v2=(x+1)2; dv=1

( x +1 ) ( 2 x )x 2 (1) 2 x 2+ 2 xx 2
y=
=
(x+ 1)2
( x+1)2
'

y'=

2 x 2 +2 xx 2
( x +1)2

y'=

x 2+2 x
2
(x +1)

577: CE Board November 1995

The derivative with respect to x of 2 cos 2(x2+2) is
A. 2sin (x2+2) cos (x2+2)
B. -2sin (x2+2) cos (x2+2)
C. 8xsin(x2+2) cos (x2+2)
D. -8x sin(x2+2) cos (x2+2)
Solution:
y=2 cos2(x2+2)

1+cos 2
2

Note: cos2=
Simplifying:
y=2cos2(x2+2)
y= 2

1+cos 2(x2 +2)

2

y= 1+cos 2 ( x +2 )
2

y= 1+cos( 2 x +4)
Note: d (cos u) =-sin u du
Where: u=2x2 + 4; du = 4x
y = -sin (2x2+4) (4x)
y=-4sin2(x2+2)
Note: sin 2=2 cos sin
y= -4x [2cos(x2+2) sin(x2+2)]
y=-8x [cos(x2+2) sin(x2+2)]
578: CE Board November 1993
Find the second derivative of y by implicit differentiation from the equation
4x2+8y2=36.
A. 64x2
B.

9 3
y
4

C. 32xy

16 3
y
9

D.

Solution:
4x2+8y2=36
x2+2y2=9 Eq. 1
Differentiate both sides:
2x + 4yy=0
y=

2 x
4y
x

y= 2 y

Eq. 2

Take second derivative:

y=

1 y ( 1 )xy '
2
y2

Eq. 3

Substitute Eq. 2 in Eq. 3:

y''=

y''=

1
2

1
2

y ' '=

[ ]
[ ]
y (1 ) x

(x
2y)

y2

x2
2y
y2

y+

1 2 y + x
2
2y
2y

2 y 2+ x2
y =
4 y3
''

Substitute Eq. 1 in y:

y''=

9
3
4y

579: ME Board April 1998

Find the partial derivatives with respect to x of the function xy 2-5y+6.
A. y2-5
B. y2
C. xy-5y
D. 2xy
Solution:

( x y 25 y +6 ) = y 2 ( 1 ) +0
x

( x y 25 y +6 ) = y 2
x

580: ME Board October 1997

Find the second derivative of x3-5x2+x=0
A. 10x-5
B. 6x-10
C. 3x + 10
D. 3x2-5x
Solution:
y= x3-5x2+x
y= 3x2-10x+1
y=6x-10
581: ME Board April 1998
Given the function f(x) =x to the 3rd power 6x + 2. Find the first derivative at x =
2.
A. 6
B. 7

C. 3x2-5
D. 8
Solution:
y=x3-6x+2
Differentiate and substitute x = 2:
y= 3x2-6
y=3(2)2-6
y=6
582: CE Board May 1996
Find the slope of the ellipse x2+4y2-10x-16y+5=0 at the point where y=2+80.5 and
x=7.
A. -0.1463
B. -0.1538
C. -0.1654
D. -0.1768
Solution:
x2+4y2-10x-16y+5=0
Note: slope = y
As given: y=2 + 80.5 = 4.828, x=7
Differentiate & substitute x = 7 & y=4.828
2x+8yy-10-16y=0
y (8y-16) =10-2x

y=

102 x
8 y16

y'=

102(7)
8 ( 4.828 )16

'

y=-0.1768
583: EE Board October 1997
If y=4 cos x + sin 2x, what is the slope of the curve when x = 2 radians?

A. -2.21
B. -4.94
C. -3.25
D. 2.21
Solution:
y= 4 cos x + sin 2x
Differentiate:
y=4(-sinx) + cos 2x (2)
y=2cos 2x 4sinx
At x =2 radians

[ ( )] [ ( )]

y ' =2 cos 2 2

180
180
4 2

y=2cos 229.183 - 4sin 114.591

y=-4.94
584: ECE Board November 1991
Find the slope of the line tangent to the curve y=x 3-2x+1 at x=1.
A. 1
B.
C. 1/3
D.
Solution:
y=x3 -2x + 1
Note: slope = y
Differentiate and substitute x =1:
y=3x2 2
y=3(1)2 2
y=1
Note: Since the line is tangent to the curve at x=1, then the slope of the line is the
same as the slope of the curve at the given point.
Thus, the slope of the line is equal to 1.

585: ECE Board November 1991

Give the slope of the curve at the point (1, 1):
A.
B. -1/4
C. 1
D. 1
Solution:

x3
y=
4

- 2x+1

Note: slope = y
Differentiate and substitute x=1:

1
y ' = ( 3 x 2) 2
4
1
y ' = ( 3 ) (1)22
4
y ' =1

1
4

586: ECE Board November 1998

Find the slope of x2y=8 at the point (2, 2).
A. 2
B. -1
C. -1/2
D. -2
Solution:
x2y=8

8
y= x 2

y=

x3
4 -2x+1

Note: slope=y
Differentiate and substitute x=2:

8(2 x ) 16
= 3
x4
x

y=

16
y= (2)3
y-=-2
587: CE Board May 1998
Find the slope of the curve x2+y2-6x+10y+5=0 at the point (1, 0).
A. 1/5
B. 2/5
C.
D. 2
Solution:
x2+y2-6x+10y+5=0
Note: slope=y
Differentiate and substitute x = 1 & y=0.
2x + 2yy 6 + 10y + 0 = 0
y (2y + 10) = 6 2x

y'=

62 x
2 y +10

y'=

62(1) 4
=
2(0)+ 10 10

'

y=

2
5

588: CE Board May 1996

Find the slope of the tangent to the curve, y=2x-x 2+x3 at (0, 2).
A. 1

B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
Solution:
y=2x-x2+x3
Note: Slope=y
Differentiate and substitute x=0:
y=2-2x+3x2
y=2-2(0) +3(0)2
y=2

589: ECE Board April 1999

Find the coordinates of the vertex of the parabola y=x 2-4x+1 by making use of the
fact that at the vertex the slope of the tangent is zero.
A. (2, 3)
B. (3, 2)
C. (-1, -3)
D. (-2, -3)
Solution:
y=x2-4x+1
Note: slope=y
Differentiate and y=0:
y=2x-4
0=2x-4
x=2
Substitute x = 2 to the given equation:
y= (2)2-4(2) +1=-3
Thus, the vertex is at (2, -3)
590: ECE Board April 1999
Find the equation of the normal to x2+y2=5 at the point (2, 1).
A. y=2x
B. x = 2y
C. 2x+3y=3
D. x+y=1
Solution:
x2+y2=1
Let m1=slope of the given curve
Differentiate and substitute x =2 & y=1:
2x+2yy=0
y=

x 2
=
y
1

y=-2
m1=-2
Note: Since the line is normal to the curve at the given point, the slope (m 2) of the
line is equal the negative reciprocal of the slope of the given curve.

1 1 1
= =
m2= m 1 2 2
Using the point of slope form:
y-y1=m(x-xz)

y-1= 2

( x2)

2y-2=x-2
X=2y
591: CE Board May 1995
What is the equation of the normal to the curve x 2+y2=25 at (4, 3)?
A. 5x+3y=0
B. 3x-4y=0
C. 3x+4y=0
D. 5x-3y=0
Solution:
x2+y2=25
Let

m1=slope of the given curve

m2= slope of the normal line

Differentiate and substitute x=4 & y=3:

2x+2yy=0
y=

m1=

x 4
=
y
3
4
3
1

m2= m 1

1
3
=
4 /3 4

Using point slope form:

y-y1=m(x-x1)

y-3= 4

(x4)

4y-12=3x-12
3x-4y=0
592: EE Board April 1997
Locate the points of inflection of the curve y=f(x) =x 2ex.
A.

2 3

B.

2 2

C.

2 2

D.

2 3

Solution:
y=x2ex
Note:
d (uv) =udv+vdu
d (eu) =eudu
y=x2(ex) +ex (2x)
y=x2(ex) +ex (2x) +ex (2) +2x (ex)
y=x2ex+4xex+2ex
At point of inflection, y=0:
0= x2ex+4xex+2ex
0= x2+4x+2
By quadratic formula;

4 424 ( 1 ) (2) 4 8
x=
=
2
2(1)
x=

4 2 2
2

x=2 2
Substitute the values of x to the given equation to solve for the values of y:
2

(2+ 2)
=0.19
y (2+ 2) e

or

(2 2)
=0.38
y (2 2) e

Note: From the choices, only values of the x-coordinates are given. Thus the
suggested answer is choice C.
593: ECE Board November 1991
In the curve 2+12x-x3, find the critical points.
A. (2, 18) & (-2, -14)
B. (2, 18) & (2, -14)
C. (-2, 18) & (2, -14)
D. (-2, 18) & (-2, 14)
Solution:
y=2+12x-x3
Note: Critical points are points wherein the slope of the curve is zero.
y=12-3x2
0=12-3x2
x2=4
x=2
Substitute the values of x to the general equation to solve for the values of y:
y=2+12(2)-2(2)3=18 or
y=2+12(-2)-2(-2)3 =-14
Thus, the points are (2, 18) and (-2, -14).
594: CE Board November 1997
Find the radius of curvature of a parabola y 2-4x=0 at point (4, 4).
A. 22.36 units
B. 25.78 units
C. 20.33 units

D. 15.42 units
Solution:

R=

[ 1+( y' )2 ]

3/ 2

y' '

y2-4x=0
2yy-4=0

y= 2 y

2
y

y ( 0 ) 2 y ' 2 y '
= 2
y=
y2
y

yy =-2

( 2y )

4
y=- y 3
Substitute y=4 to solve for y and y:

y= y

y=

2 1
= =
4 2

4 4 1
= 3=
3
y
(4) 16

Substitute y and y to solve for R:

1 2
1+( )
2
R=
1
16

3/2

R=22.36
595: ECE Board November 1996
Find the radius of curvature at any point in the curve y+lncosx=0.
A. cos x

B. 1.5707
C. sec x
D. 1
Solution:

R=

[ 1+( y' )2 ]

3/ 2

y' '

y + ln cos x = 0
y = - ln cos x
Note: d (ln u) =

du
u

Where: u=cos x; du=-sin x

y=-

x
=tan x
( sin
cos x )

y=sec2 x
Substitute y and y to solve for R:

R=

[ 1+(tan x)2 ]

3 /2

sec 2 x

Note: 1+tan2x=sec2x
3 /2

R=

R=

( sec 2 x )

sec 2 x
sec 3 x
2
sec x

R=sec x