AP Calculus AB Linearization and L’Hopital’s Rule Worksheet (PDF)
This linearization practice worksheet for AP Calculus AB covers linearization and l'hopital's rule (Common Core AP CALC AB 4.5, AP CALC AB 4.6, AP CALC AB 4.7), with a free PDF to print.
These 24 problems practice local linear approximation, over- and underestimates from concavity, and L’Hopital’s Rule for indeterminate limits (AP Calculus AB, topics 4.5, 4.6, 4.7). The early problems build the basic skill, and each one uses a different function or situation so that no two feel alike.
Later problems use over- and underestimates, tables of values, repeated applications of the rule and real situations such as measurement error and a pizza area. Work in pencil, show every step, and check the answer key only after a full attempt.
AP Calculus AB · Common Core State Standards: AP CALC AB 4.5, AP CALC AB 4.6, AP CALC AB 4.7
Linearization practice worksheet: exercises 1 to 10
Exercise 1 – Linearization of x squared
Find the linearization of \(f(x)=x^{2}\) at \(a=3\) and use it to estimate \((3.1)^{2}\). Compare with the exact value.
Exercise 2 – Estimating a square root
Use a linear approximation of \(f(x)=\sqrt{x}\) at \(a=25\) to estimate \(\sqrt{26}\).
Exercise 3 – Estimating a cube root
Exercise 4 – Estimating a reciprocal
Exercise 5 – Exponential near zero
Exercise 6 – Sine near zero
Exercise 7 – Logarithm near one
Exercise 8 – Tangent near pi over four
Estimate \(\tan(0.8)\) using the linearization of \(f(x)=\tan x\) at \(a=\frac{\pi}{4}\).
Exercise 9 – Overestimate or underestimate, root
The linearization of \(f(x)=\sqrt{x}\) at \(a=9\) is used to estimate \(\sqrt{10}\). Is the estimate an overestimate or an underestimate? Justify.
Exercise 10 – Overestimate or underestimate, cube
The linearization of \(f(x)=x^{3}\) at \(a=2\) is used to estimate \((2.1)^{3}\). Over or under?
Exercises 11 and up
Exercise 11 – Using given values
Exercise 12 – Linear approximation, a quotient
Exercise 13 – Hopital with an exponential and a sine
Exercise 14 – Hopital, quadratic
Exercise 15 – Hopital at x equals one
Exercise 16 – Hopital, infinity over infinity
Exercise 17 – Hopital twice
Exercise 18 – Three applications
Exercise 19 – When not to use the rule
Exercise 20 – Square garden
Exercise 21 – Change in volume
Exercise 22 – Measurement error
Exercise 23 – Pizza area
Exercise 24 – Temperature estimate
Key facts behind this linearization practice worksheet
- Linearization: L(x) = f(a) + f′(a)(x – a), the tangent line at x = a.
- Concave up (f″ positive): the tangent line is below the curve, so the estimate is too low.
- Concave down (f″ negative): the tangent line is above the curve, so the estimate is too high.
- L’Hôpital: for 0/0 or ∞/∞, lim f/g = lim f′/g′ (not the quotient rule).
How to use this linearization practice worksheet
Work through the exercises in order: they go from simple to challenging. Write every step on paper, then compare with the solutions page and redo any exercise you missed the next day.
Download the linearization practice worksheet as a PDF with the button below and keep it with your notes.
Download the linearization practice worksheet as a PDF with the button below and keep it with your notes.
Download the linearization practice worksheet as a PDF with the button below and keep it with your notes.
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