Math 131 B Derivative Skills Exam

The derivative skills exam has only six possible scores, 100, 93, 85, 76, 65, and 0, based on whether you pass the exam on your first, second, third, fourth, or fifth attempt. If you do not pass on one of the first five attempts, you receive a score of zero.

To pass an attempt, you will need to calculate each of 10 derivatives correctly (proper notation and all), using just your memory (no tables, calculators, notes, etc.). The exam will consist of 9 symbolic derivative problems (i.e. given a formula for a function, find a formula for it's derivative) and one "derivative using the limit definition" question. A sample exam is included below.

You may take the exam as many as 5 times, but (except for the first day, where 2 attempts are allowed, if time permits) the sun must set at least once between attempts (so only 1 attempt per day, after the first exam date of Monday 11-12). After the initial skills exam (in class), you will have to schedule the exam outside of class in one of my office hours, or at some other pre-arranged time.

The last day to attempt the exam is Monday December 3, 2007.

Here is one practice skills exam so you have an idea what to expect.

You may spend as much time on the exam as you wish, but once you begin working on it you may not consult any resources (including calculators, your neighbors, and the instructor!) until you have completed it. Circle your final answer. You do not need to simplify algebraically. Your exam will be graded before you leave. Differentiate each of the following:

  1. Use the limit definition to differentiate MATH

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  3. $f(t)=e^{-t}$

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  9. $z(t)=\ln (t^{3}+5)$

  10. $x=\tan (3t)$

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