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Math 53
3rd Long Exam Reviewer Problems
Worked out exercises from the Math 53 module

Reviewer

A. TRUE or FALSE
1. (

TRUE

FALSE

) The graph of f (x) =

vertical asymptote at x = 2.
2. (

TRUE

FALSE

g(x)
where g(x) is a polynomial, has a
x2 4

) If the function f has a relative minimum at x = c, then f 00 (c) > 0.

3. ( TRUE
FALSE
relative extremum of f .

) A point on the graph of f can be both a point of inflection and a

4. ( TRUE
FALSE
tinuous on [a, b].

) A function that has no absolute extremum value on [a, b] is discon-

5. ( TRUE
FALSE


the interval 0, 21 .

) The function f (x) = 2x2 x + sin (2x) satisfies Rolles Theorem in

B. 1. Given f (x) =

x3
x2 (x2 3)
2x(x2 + 3)
0
00
,
f
(x)
=
,
and
f
(x)
=
.
(Note:
3 1.732.)
x2 1
(x2 1)2
(x2 1)3

(a) Identify the domain, and the x- and y-intercept/s of f .

(b) Using limits, find the equations of all the asymptotes of the graph of f .
1

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Math 53 - 3rd Long Exam Problem Set
(c) Determine the critical numbers and possible points of inflection of f .
(d) Construct a table indicating the intervals where f is increasing or decreasing and where its
is concave up or concave down, and the points where f has relative extrema and points of
inflection.
(e) Sketch the graph of f , with emphasis on linear asymptotes and concavity. Label all points
of interest.

Answer:
(a) dom(f ) = (, 1) (1, 1) (1, +) or R/{1, 1}.
x-intercept: 0
y-intercept: 0
(b) Vertical asymptotes are the easiest so lets find them first. By inspection, note that:
lim f (x) =

x2

lim f (x) =

x2

So two of our asymptotes are x = 2 and x = 2 .

Next, try to verify that there are no horizontal asymptotes.
The degree of the numerator is greater than that of the denominator by exactly 1. So
r
, where q, r, d
we have an oblique asymptote. Proceed by expressing f (x) as q(x) + d(x)
are the quotient (polynomial), remainder and divisor (polynomial) respectively. In other
words, do a long division.
f (x) =

x3
1

x2

=x

x
x2 1

(see remark)

Now find a and b such that


0 = lim

x
(ax + b)
x 2
x 1


:0

x 


lim


2
x x 1


= lim [x (ax + b)]

x

= lim x ax + b
x

Observe that as x gets arbitrarily large, the b term does not contribute to the limit, so
= lim x ax
x

= lim x(1 a)
x

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Math 53 - 3rd Long Exam Problem Set

For the equation to hold true, (1 a) must be equal to 0. Note that no matter how large
x is, multiplying it by 0 results to 0

= 1 a = 0
= 1 = a
So we have y = x as an oblique asymptote. Sometimes, a shortcut for finding the
oblique asymptote is y = q(x) where q is the quotient obtained by the long division.
Remark. You are expected to already know how to do polynomial division.
(c) find c such that f 0 (c) = 0 or f 0 (c) is undefined. Mentally solving for the zeroes, we have

x {0, 3, + 3}. For the denominator to be zero, we have x {1, 1}. The union
of these two sets is the required.

3 <
1

0
<
1
<
3
f 0 (x)
0

undef

undef

0
(d)
f 00 (x)

undef
+
0

undef
+
+
conclusion max _ v. asymp ^ inf. pt. _ v. asymp ^ min
(e) graph:
f (x)


3, f ( 3



3, f ( 3

2. Do the above given: f (x) =

(2x + 1)(x + 2) 0
1x
2(x 2)
, f (x) =
, and f 00 (x) =
(x + 1)2
(x + 1)3
(x + 1)4

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Math 53 - 3rd Long Exam Problem Set

Answer:

(a) dom(f ) = (, 1) (1, +) or R/{1}.

x-intercept: x = 2 x = 12
y-intercept: 2
(b) Vertical: x = 1
Horizontal: y = 2
Oblique: none
(c) x {1, 1}

(d)

f (x)
f 00 (x)
conclusion

<

1
undef
undef
v. asymp

<
+

1
0

max

<

(e) graph:
f (x)

1, 94

C. Given that f is continuous everywhere and that the graph shown below is the graph of f 0 . Choose
the correct answer among the choices given in brackets.
1
0.1 m

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Math 53 - 3rd Long Exam Problem Set
y

(3, 3)
2

x
5

(3, 1)
2

point of inflection ] at 1.

1. f has a [

relative maximum

relative minimum

2. f has a [

relative maximum

relative minimum

point of inflection ] at 3.

3. f has a [

relative maximum

relative minimum

point of inflection ] at 1.

Answer:
Remark. because the function is continuous

4. f does NOT have a [

at 3.

relative maximum

relative minimum

5. The tangent line to the graph of f at the point where x = 1 is [

slanting upward
slanting downward ].
D.

point of inflection ]

vertical

horizontal

1. State either Rolles Theorem or the Mean Value Theorem.

Answer:
Theorem (Rolles Theorem). If f is a function that is continuous on the closed interval
[a, b], and is differentiable on the open interval (a, b), where f (a) = f (b) , then there

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Math 53 - 3rd Long Exam Problem Set

exists at least one c (a, b) such that f 0 (c) = 0 .

Theorem (Mean Value Theorem for Differentiation). If f is a function that is continuous

on the closed interval [a, b], and is differentiable on the open interval (a, b) where a < b ,
then there exists at least one c (a, b) such that f 0 (c) =

f (b) f (a)
.
ba

Remark. I emphasised conditions that are essential to the theorems.

2. Verify that the conditions of the MVT are satisfied by g(x) =

numbers that satisfy the conclusion of the MVT.

2x
on [2, 1] and find all
x2

Answer:

(a) Continuity: g is continuous on [2, 1].

(b) Differentiability: g is differentiable on (2, 1).
(c) Inequality of bounds: 2 6= 1


g(1) g(2)
(d) Solution set c : g 0 (c) =
1 (2)
g 0 (c) =

g(1) g(2)
2 1

2
2c
(2) 1

=
= 1
c 2 (c 2)2
3
= c {0, 4}

(Math 17 skillz yo)

E. Solve the following problems systematically

1. Let f (x) be a polynomial function such that f (5) = 3 and 2 f 0 (x) 7 for all x. Find the
maximum possible value for f (3).

Answer: Use the MVT, reason as follows:

f (5) f (3)
= f 0 (x)
53
3 f (3)
= f 0 (x)
2

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Math 53 - 3rd Long Exam Problem Set

since f(x) is bounded from 2 to 7, we have

3 f (3)
7
2

4 3 f (3) 14
1 f (3) 11
1 f (3) 11
Therefore, the maximum possible value of f (3) is 1

2. Given f (x) =

3x 5

if

2x<1

x2 3x

if

1x3

(a) Verify that the Extreme Value Theorem applies to f (x) on [2, 3].
(b) Determine the absolute minimum and absolute maximum values of f (x) on [2, 3].

Answer:

(a) f is continuous on the closed interval. Therefore, yes!

(b) For piecewise functions, it is usual to have an undefined derivative between the subfunctions. So x = 1 is a candidate for our critical number. The first subfunction does
not have any critical number, while the second one has x = 32 as a critical number (verify
this). We evaluate the function at our critical numbers and at the bounds. Doing so
well have 11 as our minimum occurring at x = 2, and 0 as our maximum at
x = 3.

3. The top and bottom of a can are to be made from a material that costs Php 1/cm2 . Its curved
surface is to be constructed from another material that costs Php 3/cm2 . If the can is to enclose a
volume of 18 cm3 , find the radius and height of the can that will minimise the cost of production.

Answer: Recall the volume of a cylinder:

Volume cyl = r2 h
Surface Area cyl = 2 Abase + Alateral
= 2 r2 + 2rh

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(1)
(2)
(3)

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Math 53 - 3rd Long Exam Problem Set

Let the cost function be

C(r, h) = (1) (2 Abase ) + (3) (Alateral )

= 2r2 + 6rh

(4)
(5)

Given that the volume is constrained, we have

18 = r2 h
= h =

(6)
18
r2

(5) (7) = C(r) = 2r2 + 6

(7)
18
r

(8)

Solve for the critical number(s), r

C 0 (r ) = 4r

108
=0
r2

(9)

:=270

 3 
= 
4r
108

(10)

= r3 27 = 0

(11)

= r = 3

(12)

Apply the second derivative test

C 00 (3) = 12 > 0
= minimum
(7) (12) (14) = h =

18
=9
32

(13)
(14)
(15)

Therefore the dimensions required are r = 3 cm and r = 9 cm

4. Find two numbers that are both greater than or equal to 1 and whose sum is 10 such that the
product of one number and the fourth power of the other is maximum. How about if it is to be
minimum?

Answer: Let x, y 1 R be two, possibly distinct numbers. Find: max xy 4 , subject to

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Math 53 - 3rd Long Exam Problem Set

the constraint x + y = 10. Then,

x = 10 y

(1)

(1) = max (10 y)y 4 = max 10y 4 y 5

(2)

Let y be the extremum.

= 0 =




d
10y 4 y 5 
dy
y=y

(3) = 40y3 5y4 = 0

= (y = 0) (y = 8)

(3)
(4)
(5)

With the second derivative test,




d2
4
5 
10y y 
=0
dy 2
y=0
= inconclusive



d2
4
5 
10y y 
= 2560 < 0
dy 2
y=8
= maximum

(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)

(5) (9) = y = 8

(10)

(1) (10) = x = 2

(11)

Since 2 and 8 are both greater than or equal to 1, they satisfy the constraint. So the
maximum is 2 84 = 8192 occurring at (x, y) = (2, 8).
For the minimum, try and verify by yourself that it is 9 at (9, 1). Hint: Extreme Value
Theorem.

5. A rectangular box with an open top and a square base is to be made from 48 square feet of
material. What dimensions will result in a box with the largest possible volume?

Answer: Recall for a rectangular box:

Volume = lwh
Surface Area = 2(lw + lh + wh)
The box has an open top and a square base. Let s be the side length of the square base.

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Math 53 - 3rd Long Exam Problem Set

Modifying the formula,

Volume = s2 h
Surface Area = 4sh + s2
Our objective function is:
48 = 4sh + s2
48 s2
4s

= h =

= s2 h =

s(48 s2 )
4

Following the usual steps, you should arrive at two candidate critical numbers, s {4, 4}.
After applying the second derivative test, you should confirm that at s = 4, the second
derivative is less than zero. Thus a maximum. Actually, why would you even consider the
test? Lengths are always positive so you should discard s = 4 immediately, right? No.
Not all critical points are extremum, or even a maximum (for this particular case). Haha
Solve then for h. So the dimensions required are 4 4 8 ft3

6. Of the lines tangent to the graph of h(x) =

equation of the one having the least slope.

1
at points wehere x > 0, determine the
x2 + 3

Answer: The objective function is:

h0 (x) =

2x
(x2

+ 3)

There will be two candidates, x = 1 x = 1. Of them, x = 1 will succeed the second

derivative test. Evaluating, h0 (1) = 18 . Use this result to find the equation, via the pointx3
slope form, at the point (1, h0 (1)) of course. In the end, you should arrive at y =
8

Selected Problems

Some of these problems may challenge you :)

1. Prove that the equation x3 + 2x + 5 = 0 cannot have more than one real root.

Answer:

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Math 53 - 3rd Long Exam Problem Set

Proof. Let f (x) = x3 + 2x + 5. To prove the existence of at least one real root, we consider
f (0) = 5 and f (2) = 7. By the Intermediate Value Theorem, there is at least one root in
that interval. We have then shown that we have at least one root.
Now assume a, b to be two real roots. Since our function is continuous and differentiable everywhere, by Rolles Theorem, we have:
f (a) f (b)
= 0 = f 0 (c) = 3x2 + 2
ab
Obviously, we do not have a solution for c in the real numbers which contradicts the result of
Rolles Theorem. So it must be the case that we cannot have both f (a) and f (b) be equal to
zero. Therefore f (x) cannot have more than one real root.

2. Show that the equation 2x 1 = sin x has exactly one real root.

Answer:
Proof. Let g(x) = 2x 1 sin x. To prove we have at least one root, consider g(0) = 1 and
g() = 2 1 > 0. By the Intermediate Value Theorem, there is at least one root in the interval.
We can proceed with Rolles Theorem, but we have already done that previously. Lets use the
Mean Value Theorem this time.
Let a, b be two distinct real numbers. Let b be a root of g. Since g is continuous and differentiable
everywhere, by the Mean Value Theorem we have
g(a) g(b)
= g 0 (c)
ab
Since g(b) = 0, our equation becomes g(a) = g 0 (c)(a b) = (2 cos c)(a b). For the first factor,
we are guaranteed that 1 (2 cos c) 3 for any c between a and b.
For the second factor, if a > b, then a b > 0, and it follows that g(a) > 0. On the other hand
if a < b, then a b < 0, and g(a) < 0. In both cases, g(a) is non-zero. So g attains it only root
at b as assumed.
Therefore we have shown that g(x) has exactly one real root.


3. Suppose f (x) is increasing on (0, 1]. Show that f

1
x2 + 1


is decreasing on (0, 1].

Answer:
Proof. Let f be increasing as given. Then f (0) < f (1) or 0 < f (1) f (0). Dividing by the

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Math 53 - 3rd Long Exam Problem Set

non-negative real number 1 0, we have

0<

f (1) f (0)
10

By MVT,
0<

f (1) f (0)
= f 0 (c)
10

We then have f 0 (c) > 0 for some c (0, 1).

Let this c be some function of x, c(x) =

1
x2 +1


and g(x) = f (c(x)) = f


1
. By the chain
x2 + 1

rule,
g 0 (x) = f 0 (c(x)) c0 (x)


2x
= f (c(x)) 2
(x + 1)2
0

At this point, its convenient to suppress c(x) to just c. Doing so, and after rearrangement,

g 0 (x)
2x

= f 0 (c) > 0

(x2 +1)

Recall that 0 < c = x21+1 < 1. It follows that x (, 0) (0, +). Since x is allowable and
non negative on (0,1], it follows that g 0 (x) > 0 or g 0 (x) < 0 on this interval.
By the increasing function theorem, g(x) = f

x2 +1

must be decreasing on the interval.

4. An automobile travels 4 km along a straight road in 5 min. Show that the speedometer reads exactly
48 km/h at least once during trip.

Answer:
Proof. Let the distance travelled, x, be a function of time t and let x(0) = 0 x(5) = 4. Since
this is Math and not Physics, we can assume that measured distance and time are continuous
objects and that x(t) is differentiable on t (0, ). By the MVT we have
x(5) x(0)
40
4
=
= = x0 (c)
50
5
5

(1)

Where c (0, 5). A speedometer measures the instantaneous rate of change of the travelled
distance with respect to time so it is equal to x0 (t) for all t in the domain. Proving that 54
km/min is equivalent to 49 km/h is left as an exercise.

yx
. In particular,
2 x
1

show that the geometric mean of x and y is less than their arithmetic mean, i.e. xy < (x + y).
2

5. Use the Mean Value Theorem to prove that if 0 < x < y, then

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x<

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Math 53 - 3rd Long Exam Problem Set

Answer:

Proof. Consider the function f (x) = x. Let 0 < x < y as given. Since the function is
continuous on [x, y] and differentiable on (x, y), the Mean Value Theorem says there exists a
c (x, y) such that

y x
1
=
(1)
yx
2 c
From 0 < x < c < y it follows that
1
1
1
> >
x
c
y

(2)

Recall that if 0 < a < b and g(x) is strictly increasing then g(a) < g(b). We use this on the
inequation (2) to get
 
 
1
1
1
1
g
>g
>
(3)
x
c
x
c

Multiplying (3) by a positive constant,

1
2
1
1
>
2 x
2 c

(4)

Equation (1) and the inequation (4) implies

y x
1
1
= <
yx
2 c
2 x

(5)

After rearrangement,

x<

yx

2 x

(6)

Which is what is claimed.

For the particular case, observe

yx

2 x





y x 
x y x <
x

2
x 

x<

xy x <

xy <

yx
2
y+x
2

6. Suppose f is continuous on an interval I. Use the Mean Value Theorem to show that if f 0 (x) = 0

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Math 53 - 3rd Long Exam Problem Set
for all x I, then f is constant in I.

Answer:
Proof. Assume that f is not constant in I. So there exists a, b I such that f (a) 6= f (b). By
the Mean Value Theorem,
f (a) f (b)
= f 0 (c).
ab
Where c (a, b) I. So c I. Since f (a) f (b) 6= 0 and a b 6= 0, it must follow that f 0 (c) 6= 0
for some c I. By contraposition, we have shown that if f is continuous on I and f 0 (x) = 0 for
all x I, then f is constant on I
Remark. Proof by contraposition is an indirect way to prove claims. We are asked to prove
the statement (x I)(f 0 (x) = 0) = f is constant in I.
We have the form
P (x) = Q
where P (x) (x I)(f 0 (x) = 0) and Q (f is constant).
The contrapositive
Q = P (x)
is an equivalent form, meaning it preserves the truth value of the statement. You can verify this
using truth tables.
Notice that the proof begins with assume f is not constant, a negation of Q, and concludes
that f 0 (c) 6= 0 for some c I or equivalently there exists a c I such that f 0 (c) 6= 0 a
negation of P (x).

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