10 free sample questions with answers and explanations. See how you'd score on the real CLEP exam.
Find the value of the one-sided limit: lim x→0+ (x / |x|)
1
-1
0
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1 and -1
Explanation
To evaluate the one-sided limit lim x→0+ (x / |x|), we consider x approaching 0 from the right, meaning x is positive. When x is positive, |x| equals x. So, the expression simplifies to x/x, which equals 1 for all x ≠ 0. Therefore, as x approaches 0 from the right, the limit is 1.
Find the limit of the difference quotient for the function f(x) = 2x + 1 as x approaches 2: lim(h -> 0) [f(2 + h) - f(2)]/h
0
1
2
3
4
Explanation
To find the limit of the difference quotient, first calculate f(2) and f(2 + h). f(2) = 2*2 + 1 = 5. f(2 + h) = 2*(2 + h) + 1 = 4 + 2h + 1 = 5 + 2h. Then, the difference quotient is [f(2 + h) - f(2)]/h = [(5 + 2h) - 5]/h = 2h/h = 2. As h approaches 0, the limit of the difference quotient is simply 2.
If the parametric equations x = 2t + 1 and y = - + 3t - 2 define a curve, what is the value of t when x = 7?
1
2
3
4
5
Explanation
To find the value of t when x = 7, substitute x = 7 into the equation x = 2t + 1. This gives 7 = 2t + 1. Subtracting 1 from both sides yields 6 = 2t. Dividing both sides by 2 gives t = 3.
If f(x) = , what is the limit of f(x) as x approaches 2?
4
0
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-4
2
Explanation
To find the limit of f(x) as x approaches 2, first factor the numerator: f(x) = ((x + 2)(x - 2)) / (x - 2). Cancel (x - 2) from the numerator and denominator to get f(x) = x + 2. Now, substitute x = 2 into the simplified expression: f(2) = 2 + 2 = 4. Thus, the limit of f(x) as x approaches 2 is 4.
Convert the polar equation to its equivalent rectangular form. Which of the following is the correct rectangular equation?
Explanation
To convert from polar to rectangular form, we use the relationships and . Given , we can express in terms of and as . Substituting gives us , which simplifies to . Thus, the correct rectangular form of the equation is .
Solve the equation sin(x) = 1/2 for x in the interval [0, 2π).
π/6, 5π/6
π/4, 3π/4
π/3, 2π/3
2π/3, 4π/3
3π/4, 5π/4
Explanation
To solve the equation sin(x) = 1/2, recall the unit circle definition of sine. The sine of an angle in a right-angled triangle is the ratio of the length of the side opposite the angle to the length of the hypotenuse. From the unit circle, we find that sin(π/6) = 1/2 and sin(5π/6) = 1/2 in the interval [0, 2π). These are the angles whose sine is 1/2.
What is the limit as x approaches infinity of the function f(x) = ?
2
1
3
Infinity
-1
Explanation
To find the limit as x approaches infinity, we need to look at the leading terms of the numerator and denominator. The leading term in the numerator is and in the denominator is . Dividing both by , we get . As x approaches infinity, the terms 3/x and 1/ approach 0. So, the limit approaches 2 / 1 = 2.
Find the limit of the difference quotient for the function f(x) = as x approaches 2: lim(h → 0) [f(2 + h) - f(2)]/h
12
6
3
0
-12
Explanation
To find the limit of the difference quotient, first calculate f(2 + h) and f(2). f(2) = 3 = 12. f(2 + h) = 3 = 3(4 + 4h + ) = 12 + 12h + . Then, the difference quotient becomes [f(2 + h) - f(2)]/h = [12 + 12h + - 12]/h = (12h + )/h. Factoring out h, we get h(12 + 3h)/h. As h approaches 0, the limit of the difference quotient is 12.
If the parametric equations x = 2t + 1 and y = t - 3 represent the path of a particle, what is the coordinates of the particle when t = 2?
(5, -1)
(3, 2)
(6, 0)
(3, -1)
(2, 4)
Explanation
To find the coordinates when t = 2, substitute t into both equations. For x: x = 2(2) + 1 = 4 + 1 = 5. For y: y = 2 - 3 = -1. Thus, the coordinates are (5, -1).
Convert the polar equation to rectangular form. What is the resulting equation?
Explanation
To convert from polar to rectangular, we use and . Given , we substitute in to get . Since and , we have , which becomes when we substitute . Thus, the correct rectangular form is .