AP®︎ Calculus AB Unit 3: Notes & Study Guide

Prepare for your quiz, test, or the AP exam with a comprehensive review on Unit 3 of AP Calculus AB – Differentiation: Composite, Implicit, and Inverse Functions.

Exam weight: 9%–13%
6 Topics

Unit 3: Differentiation: Composite, Implicit, and Inverse Functions

Use chain rule, implicit differentiation, inverses, and higher-order derivatives.

Begin with Topic 3.1: The Chain Rule

To review Unit 3, go through each of the 6 topics below.

Everything you actually need to know for your Unit 3 test, pulled directly from the AP® Calculus AB curriculum.

Topic 3.1
~5 min
Review
The Chain Rule
The Chain Rule
  • Composite Functions and Why the Chain Rule Exists
  • How to Apply the Chain Rule
  • Common Composite Structures You Must Know
Review
Topic 3.2
~6 min
Review
Implicit Differentiation
Implicit Differentiation
  • What Implicit Differentiation Is
  • Derivative Rules You Must Apply Inside Implicit Differentiation
  • The Implicit Differentiation Process
Review
Topic 3.3
~5 min
Review
Differentiating Inverse Functions
Differentiating Inverse Functions
  • What the Derivative of an Inverse Function Is
  • How to Find the Derivative of an Inverse at a Point
  • Derivatives of Inverse Trigonometric Functions
Review
Topic 3.4
~4 min
Review
Differentiating Inverse Trigonometric Functions
Differentiating Inverse Trigonometric Functions
  • Derivatives of Inverse Trigonometric Functions
  • Why They Look Like This
  • Using the Chain Rule
Review
Topic 3.5
~6 min
Review
Selecting Procedures for Calculating Derivatives
Selecting Procedures for Calculating Derivatives
  • What Selecting a Procedure Actually Means
  • The Derivative Rules You’re Choosing From
  • How to Choose the Right Rule
Review
Topic 3.6
~5 min
Review
Calculating Higher-Order Derivatives
Calculating Higher-Order Derivatives
  • What Higher-Order Derivatives Are
  • Repeated Differentiation in Action
  • Patterns You Should Recognize Fast
Review

Notes

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