AP®︎ Calculus BC Unit 9: Notes & Study Guide

Prepare for your quiz, test, or the AP exam with a comprehensive review on Unit 9 of AP Calculus BC – Parametric Equations, Polar Coordinates, and Vector-Valued Functions.

Exam weight: 11%–12%
9 Topics

Unit 9: Parametric Equations, Polar Coordinates, and Vector-Valued Functions

Work with parametric, polar, and vector-valued functions using differentiation and integration.

Begin with Topic 9.1: Defining and Differentiat...

To review Unit 9, go through each of the 9 topics below.

Everything you actually need to know for your Unit 9 test, pulled directly from the AP® Calculus BC curriculum.

Topic 9.1
~5 min
Review
Defining and Differentiating Parametric Equations
Defining and Differentiating Parametric Equations
  • What a Parametric Curve Is
  • The Derivative of a Parametric Curve
  • How to Find the Slope at a Specific Value of t
Review
Topic 9.2
~5 min
Review
Second Derivatives of Parametric Equations
Second Derivatives of Parametric Equations
  • Second Derivatives of Parametric Equations
  • What the Formula Means
  • Step-by-Step Process
Review
Topic 9.3
~5 min
Review
Finding Arc Lengths of Curves Given by Parametric Equations
Finding Arc Lengths of Curves Given by Parametric Equations
  • Arc Length of a Parametric Curve
  • How to Compute Arc Length
  • Geometric and Physical Meaning
Review
Topic 9.4
~5 min
Review
Defining and Differentiating Vector-Valued Functions
Defining and Differentiating Vector-Valued Functions
  • What a Vector-Valued Function Is
  • Differentiating Vector-Valued Functions
  • Velocity and Acceleration
Review
Topic 9.5
~4 min
Review
Integrating Vector-Valued Functions
Integrating Vector-Valued Functions
  • What Integrating a Vector-Valued Function Means
  • Indefinite and Definite Integrals of Vectors
  • Solving an Initial Value Problem for Motion
Review
Topic 9.6
~5 min
Review
Solving Motion Problems Using Parametric and Vector-Valued Functions
Solving Motion Problems Using Parametric and Vector-Valued Functions
  • Position, Velocity, and Acceleration in the Plane
  • Speeding Up and Slowing Down
  • Displacement from Velocity
Review
Topic 9.7
~5 min
Review
Defining Polar Coordinates and Differentiating in Polar Form
Defining Polar Coordinates and Differentiating in Polar Form
  • What Polar Coordinates Are
  • Derivatives with Respect to θ
  • Slope of the Tangent Line \( \frac{dy}{dx} \)
Review
Topic 9.8
~6 min
Review
Find the Area of a Polar Region or the Area Bounded by a Single Polar Curve
Find the Area of a Polar Region or the Area Bounded by a Single Polar Curve
  • The Area Formula in Polar Coordinates
  • When This Formula Applies
  • Choosing the Correct θ-Interval
Review
Topic 9.9
~6 min
Review
Finding the Area of the Region Bounded by Two Polar Curves
Finding the Area of the Region Bounded by Two Polar Curves
  • Area Between Two Polar Curves
  • Identifying Outer and Inner Radius
  • Finding the Bounds of Integration
Review

Notes

1 credit used · 5/5 remaining