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Library AP Calculus AB/BC AB 2023 FRQ 5
⁂   AP Calculus AB/BC · AB Track · 2023

FRQ 5. 2023 AB

A table gives values of two twice-differentiable functions and their first derivatives at selected inputs. Students compute the derivative of a composite function, judge the concavity of a product-defined function via its second derivative, evaluate an accumulation-function value, and determine whether that function is increasing or decreasing at a point.

9 rubric points Calculator: Not allowed Difficulty 4/5
The Question (paraphrase)
Prompt paraphrase — original Tian2 description

A table gives values of two twice-differentiable functions and their first derivatives at selected inputs. Students compute the derivative of a composite function, judge the concavity of a product-defined function via its second derivative, evaluate an accumulation-function value, and determine whether that function is increasing or decreasing at a point.

Read the complete question in the official College Board FRQ PDF ›

Worked Solution

Original Tian2 solution. Each part identifies which rubric points are earned and why.

Part (a)

2 RUBRIC POINTS

With $h(x)=f(g(x))$, the **chain rule** gives $h'(x)=f'\big(g(x)\big)\cdot g'(x)$. Evaluate at $x=7$ using the table $g(7)=0$, $g'(7)=8$, and $f'(0)=\tfrac{3}{2}$: $$h'(7)=f'\big(g(7)\big)\cdot g'(7)=f'(0)\cdot 8=\frac{3}{2}\cdot 8=\boxed{12}.$$

Working
<span class="math-block">\[h'(x)=f'\big(g(x)\big)\cdot g'(x)\]</span>
<span class="math-block">\[h'(7)=f'\big(g(7)\big)\cdot g'(7)=f'(0)\cdot 8\]</span>
<span class="math-block">\[=\tfrac{3}{2}\cdot 8 = 12\]</span>
Rubric annotation

2 points. P1 (chain rule): present h'(x)=f'(g(x))·g'(x) or h'(7)=f'(g(7))·g'(7). P2 (answer): 12, earned only if P1 is earned, OR (if P1 not earned) for f'(0)·8=12 or (3/2)·8. A bare 12 with no supporting work earns neither point.

Part (b)

3 RUBRIC POINTS

Here $k'(x)=\big(f(x)\big)^2\cdot g(x)$. Differentiate again with the **product and chain rules**: $$k''(x)=2f(x)\,f'(x)\,g(x)+\big(f(x)\big)^2 g'(x).$$ Evaluate at $x=4$ with $f(4)=4$, $f'(4)=3$, $g(4)=-3$, $g'(4)=2$: $$k''(4)=2(4)(3)(-3)+(4)^2(2)=-72+32=\boxed{-40}.$$ Since $k''(4)=-40<0$ (and $k''$ is continuous), the graph of $k$ is **concave down** at $x=4$.

Working
<span class="math-block">\[k''(x)=2f(x)f'(x)g(x)+\big(f(x)\big)^2 g'(x)\]</span>
<span class="math-block">\[k''(4)=2(4)(3)(-3)+(4)^2(2)=-72+32=-40\]</span>
<span class="math-block">\[k''(4)&lt;0 \Rightarrow k \text{ is concave down at } x=4\]</span>
Rubric annotation

3 points. P1 (product/chain rule): present k''(x)=2f f' g + f^2 g' (or evaluated at 4); also earned by the SG's listed single-error forms (which then cannot earn P2). P2 (value): k''(4)=-40 with supporting work. P3 (answer with reason): concave down because k''(4)<0, consistent with any declared nonzero k''(4).

Part (c)

1 RUBRIC POINT

With $m(x)=5x^3+\displaystyle\int_0^x f'(t)\,dt$, evaluate at $x=2$. The integral is handled by the **Fundamental Theorem of Calculus**: $\int_0^2 f'(t)\,dt=f(2)-f(0)$. $$m(2)=5(2)^3+\int_0^2 f'(t)\,dt=5(8)+\big(f(2)-f(0)\big)=40+(7-10)=40-3=\boxed{37}.$$

Working
<span class="math-block">\[m(2)=5(2)^3+\int_0^2 f'(t)\,dt\]</span>
<span class="math-block">\[=40+\big(f(2)-f(0)\big)=40+(7-10)\]</span>
<span class="math-block">\[=40-3=37\]</span>
Rubric annotation

1 point. Earned only for the answer 37 with supporting work equivalent to 5·8+(f(2)-f(0)), 40+(f(2)-f(0)), 5·8+(7-10), or 40+(7-10). A bare 37 with no supporting work does not earn the point.

Part (d)

3 RUBRIC POINTS

Differentiate $m(x)=5x^3+\int_0^x f'(t)\,dt$. By the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, $\frac{d}{dx}\int_0^x f'(t)\,dt=f'(x)$, so $$m'(x)=15x^2+f'(x).$$ Evaluate at $x=2$ using $f'(2)=-8$: $$m'(2)=15(2)^2+f'(2)=60+(-8)=52.$$ Since $m'(2)=52>0$, the function $m$ is **increasing at $x=2$.**

Working
<span class="math-block">\[m'(x)=15x^2+f'(x)\]</span>
<span class="math-block">\[m'(2)=15(2)^2+f'(2)=60+(-8)=52\]</span>
<span class="math-block">\[m'(2)=52&gt;0 \Rightarrow m \text{ is increasing at } x=2\]</span>
Rubric annotation

3 points. P1 (considers m'): present m'(x), m'(2), or m' (may appear in the justification). P2 (m'(2) with supporting work): 15·2^2+f'(2), 60+f'(2), or 60-8; an unsupported m'(2)=52 does not earn P2. P3 (answer with justification): increasing because m'(2)>0, consistent with any declared value of m'(2).

Originality statement

Our worked solutions and practice questions are original instructional content created by Tian2 AP. They are aligned to the concepts and skills described in College Board’s Course and Exam Description and are not reproductions of, or affiliated with, College Board’s official materials.