Brown University Mathematics Department
Self-Graded Calculus Placement Exam

SECTIONS B AND C SOLUTIONS


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SECTION B SOLUTIONS

Question #9: \(\displaystyle \int_0^1 (x^7-x^3) \, dx = \left.\frac{x^8}{8}-\frac{x^4}{4}\right|_0^1 = \frac{1}{8}-\frac{1}{4} = -\frac{1}{8}\).
Answer: (b)

Question #10: \( \displaystyle F(x) = \int e^{3x}-\sin x\,dx = \frac{e^{3x}}{3}+\cos x + C\). To find \(C\), we use \(\displaystyle \frac{1}{3} = F(0) = \frac{e^{0}}{3}+\cos(0) + C = \frac{1}{3}+1+C\), so \(C=-1\). Hence \( \displaystyle F(x) = \frac{e^{3x}}{3}+\cos x -1\).
Answer: (d)

Question #11: Substitute \(u=x^2-1\) and \(du=2x\,dx\). Be sure to convert back to \(x\) values before evaluating at 2 and 3 (or else convert the limits of integration to \(u\) values).
\(\displaystyle \int {x \over {(x^2 - 1)^2}} dx = \int \frac{1}{2u^2} du = -\frac{1}{2u} + C = -\frac{1}{2(x^2-1)}+C\).
\(\displaystyle \int^3_2 {x \over {(x^2 - 1)^2}} dx = \left.-\frac{1}{2(x^2-1)}\right|_2^3 = -\frac{1}{2\cdot8}+\frac{1}{2\cdot3}\).
Answer: (d)

Question #12: \(u = {\sqrt{x}}\), so \(x=u^2\) and \(dx=2u\,du\).
\(\displaystyle \int {{\sqrt {x} }\over {{\sqrt{\sqrt{x} - 1}}}} dx = \int \frac{u}{\sqrt{u-1}} \cdot 2u\,du = \int \frac{2u^2}{\sqrt{u-1}}du\).
Answer: (a)


SECTION C SOLUTIONS

Question #13: Use integration by parts \(\displaystyle \int u\,dv=uv-\int v\,du\).
Set \(u=x\) and \(dv=e^{-x}dx\), so \(du=dx\) and \(v=-e^{-x}\). Then
\(\displaystyle \int x e^{-x} dx = x(-e^{-x}) + \int e^{-x}dx = -xe^{-x} - e^{-x} + C\).
Answer: (c)

Question #14: \(\displaystyle \int^\infty_1 {1 \over {x^3}} = \lim_{N\to\infty} \int^N_1 {1 \over {x^3}} = \lim_{N\to\infty}\left.-\frac{1}{2x^2}\right|_1^N = \lim_{N\to\infty}-\frac{1}{2N^2}+\frac{1}{2} = \frac{1}{2}\).
Answer: (b)

Question #15: \(\displaystyle \int^{\pi/2}_0 \cos^5 x \sin x \,dx = \left.-\frac{1}{6}\cos^6x\right|_0^{\pi/2} =\frac{1}{6}\).
Answer: (a)

Question #16: Use partial fractions, \(\displaystyle {1 \over {x^2 - 4}}=\frac{1}{4}\left(\frac{1}{x-2}-\frac{1}{x+2}\right)\).
\(\displaystyle \int^1_0 {1 \over {x^2 - 4}} dx = \frac{1}{4}\int_0^1\frac{1}{x-2}-\frac{1}{x+2} dx = \left.\left(\frac{1}{4}\ln\left|\frac{x-2}{x+2}\right|\right)\right|_0^1 =\frac{1}{4}\left(\ln\left(\frac{1}{3}\right)-\ln(1)\right) =-\frac{1}{4}\ln 3\).
Answer: (b)