Quick Reference
Core Rules · All 10 Sections
Section 01
Average Rate of Change ARC = [f(b) − f(a)] / (b − a) — the slope of the secant line through (a, f(a)) and (b, f(b)).
Section 02
The Limit Definition of the Derivative f′(x) = lim(h→0) [f(x+h) − f(x)] / h — the instantaneous rate of change.
Section 03
Power Rule and Basic Derivatives d/dx[xⁿ] = nxⁿ⁻¹. Sum, difference, and constant-multiple rules apply term by term.
Section 04
Product and Quotient Rules (fg)′ = f′g + fg′. (f/g)′ = (f′g − fg′) / g².
Section 05
The Chain Rule d/dx[f(g(x))] = f′(g(x)) · g′(x) — outside derivative times inside derivative.
Section 06
Trigonometric, Exponential and Logarithmic Derivatives d/dx[sin x]=cos x, d/dx[cos x]=−sin x, d/dx[eˣ]=eˣ, d/dx[ln x]=1/x.
Section 07
Implicit Differentiation and Tangent Lines Differentiate both sides with respect to x, treating y as a function of x, then solve for dy/dx.
Section 08
Riemann Sums and the Definite Integral Σ f(xᵢ)·Δx, Δx = (b−a)/n. As n→∞ the sum converges to ∫ₐᵇ f(x) dx.
Section 09
Antiderivatives and Integration Rules ∫xⁿ dx = xⁿ⁺¹/(n+1) + C (n ≠ −1). Also ∫eˣdx=eˣ+C, ∫(1/x)dx=ln|x|+C.
Section 10
The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus ∫ₐᵇ f(x)dx = F(b) − F(a). Second FTC: d/dx ∫ₐˣ f(t)dt = f(x).
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AP Calculus AB — Quick Reference Sheet 1. Average Rate of Change ARC = [f(b) − f(a)] / (b − a) — the slope of the secant line through (a, f(a)) and (b, f(b)).
2. The Limit Definition of the Derivative f′(x) = lim(h→0) [f(x+h) − f(x)] / h — the instantaneous rate of change.
3. Power Rule and Basic Derivatives d/dx[xⁿ] = nxⁿ⁻¹. Sum, difference, and constant-multiple rules apply term by term.
4. Product and Quotient Rules (fg)′ = f′g + fg′. (f/g)′ = (f′g − fg′) / g².
5. The Chain Rule d/dx[f(g(x))] = f′(g(x)) · g′(x) — outside derivative times inside derivative.
6. Trigonometric, Exponential and Logarithmic Derivatives d/dx[sin x]=cos x, d/dx[cos x]=−sin x, d/dx[eˣ]=eˣ, d/dx[ln x]=1/x.
7. Implicit Differentiation and Tangent Lines Differentiate both sides with respect to x, treating y as a function of x, then solve for dy/dx.
8. Riemann Sums and the Definite Integral Σ f(xᵢ)·Δx, Δx = (b−a)/n. As n→∞ the sum converges to ∫ₐᵇ f(x) dx.
9. Antiderivatives and Integration Rules ∫xⁿ dx = xⁿ⁺¹/(n+1) + C (n ≠ −1). Also ∫eˣdx=eˣ+C, ∫(1/x)dx=ln|x|+C.
10. The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus ∫ₐᵇ f(x)dx = F(b) − F(a). Second FTC: d/dx ∫ₐˣ f(t)dt = f(x).