AP Questions Type 6: Differential Equations Differential equations are tested almost every year. The actual solving of the differential equation is usually the main part of the problem, but it is accompanied by a related question such as a slope field or a tangent line approximation. BC students may also be asked to approximate using Euler’s…
AP Questions Type 5: Riemann Sum & Table Problems Tables may be used to test a variety of ideas in calculus including analysis of functions, accumulation, theory and theorems, and position-velocity-acceleration, among others. Numbers and working with numbers is part of the Rule of Four and table problems are one way this is tested. This question often includes…
AP Type Questions 4: Area and Volume Given equations that define a region in the plane students are asked to find its area, the volume of the solid formed when the region is revolved around a line, and/or the region is used as a base of a solid with regular cross-sections. This standard application of…
AP Questions Type 3: Graph Analysis The long name is “Here’s the graph of the derivative, tell me things about the function.” Students are given either the equation of the derivative of a function or a graph identified as the derivative of a function with no equation is given. It is not expected that students will…
AP Questions Type 2: Linear Motion We continue the discussion of the various type questions on the AP Calculus Exams with linear motion questions. “A particle (or car, person, or bicycle) moves on a number line ….” These questions may give the position equation, the velocity equation (most often), or the acceleration equation of something that…
The Free-response Questions There are ten general categories of AP Calculus free-response questions. As I’ve done in part years, I will consider each individually over the next few weeks posting on Tuesdays and Fridays. These will be updates of last year’s posts. A list of all the posts is at the end of this post. NOTE:…
This unit seems to fit more logically after the opening unit on integration (Unit 6). The Course and Exam Description (CED) places Unit 7 Differential Equations before Unit 8 probably because the previous unit ended with techniques of antidifferentiation. My guess is that many teachers will teach Unit 8: Applications of Integration immediately after Unit…
