AP®︎ Calculus BC Unit 3: Notes & Study Guide

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

Exam weight: 4%–7%
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 BC curriculum.

Topic 3.1
~6 min
Review
The Chain Rule
The Chain Rule
  • Composite Functions and What the Chain Rule Says
  • How to Apply the Chain Rule
  • Common Chain Rule Structures on AP Exams
Review
Topic 3.2
~6 min
Review
Implicit Differentiation
Implicit Differentiation
  • What Implicit Differentiation Is
  • The Process for Finding \( \frac{dy}{dx} \)
  • Rules You Must Apply Correctly
Review
Topic 3.3
~4 min
Review
Differentiating Inverse Functions
Differentiating Inverse Functions
  • What the Derivative of an Inverse Function Is
  • How to Find \((f^{-1})'(a)\) in Practice
  • Tangent Line to an Inverse Function
Review
Topic 3.4
~4 min
Review
Differentiating Inverse Trigonometric Functions
Differentiating Inverse Trigonometric Functions
  • The Derivatives of Inverse Trigonometric Functions
  • Using the Chain Rule with Inverse Trig
  • Domain and Radical Awareness
Review
Topic 3.5
~5 min
Review
Selecting Procedures for Calculating Derivatives
Selecting Procedures for Calculating Derivatives
  • Recognizing the Structure of a Function
  • Deciding Which Rule Comes First
  • When Multiple Rules Combine
Review
Topic 3.6
~6 min
Review
Calculating Higher-Order Derivatives
Calculating Higher-Order Derivatives
  • What Higher-Order Derivatives Are
  • What Higher-Order Derivatives Tell You
  • How You Actually Calculate Them
Review

Notes

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