AP Calculus AB Unit 7: Differential Equations
Explore AP Calculus Unit 7 questions on modeling, verifying, estimating, and solving first-order differential equations in context.
- Syllabus
- Effective Fall 2025
- Course
- AP Calculus AB
Explore AP Calculus Unit 7 questions on modeling, verifying, estimating, and solving first-order differential equations in context.
As an ice block melts, the rate at which its mass, M, decreases is directly proportional to the square root of the mass. Which equation describes this relationship?
M(t)=kt
dtdM=kt
dtdM=kM
dtdM=Mk
C
Given the following differential equation
tart fraction numerator d y over denominator d x end fraction equals x minus
2 y plus 1
(a) Sketch the slope field for the differential equation at the nine indicated
points on the axes provided.
AB/BC 4. (a) The slope field for the nine points indicated is:
The slopes are given in the table below. Be sure that the segments
you draw are correct relative to the other slopes in the slope field
with respect to the steepness of the segments.
| \begin{tabular}[t]{|l|l|l|l|l|l|l|l|l|l|} x & -1 & -1 & -1 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 1 & 1 & 1 y & -1 & 0 & 1 & -1 & 0 & 1 & -1 & 0 & 1 d y / d x & 2 & 0 & -2 & 3 & 1 & -1 & 4 & 2 & 0 |
|---|
(d) For which values of m and b is the line y=m x+b a solution to the
differential equation?
(d) m is the slope
ft parenthesis start fraction numerator d y over denominator d x
end fraction right parenthesis
so replace into the differential equation:
- Line 1: m equals x minus 2 left parenthesis m x plus b right parenthesis plus 1
equals left parenthesis 1 minus 2 m right parenthesis x plus left parenthesis 1
minus 2 b right parenthesis. Line 2: 1 minus 2 m equals 0 and 1 minus 2 b
equals m , so m equals 1 half and b equals 1 fourth.
The depth of seawater at a location can be modeled by the function H that satisfies the differential equation dtdH=21(H−1)cos(2t), where H(t) is measured in feet and t is measured in hours after noon ( t=0 ). It is known that H(0)=4.
A portion of the slope field for the differential equation is provided. Sketch the solution curve, y=H(t), through the point (0, 4).

Solution curve 1 point
Scoring notes:
- The solution curve must pass through the point (0,4), extend to at least t=4.5, and have no
obvious conflicts with the given slope lines.
- Only portions of the solution curve within the given slope field are considered.
Total for part (a)
1 point
(b) For 0<t<5, it can be shown that H(t)>1. Find the value of t, for 0<t<5, at which H has a
critical point. Determine whether the critical point corresponds to a relative minimum, a relative
maximum, or neither a relative minimum nor a relative maximum of the depth of seawater at the
location. Justify your answer.
Use separation of variables to find y=H(t), the particular solution to the differential equation dtdH=21(H−1)cos(2t) with initial condition H(0)=4.
Write your responses to this question only on the designated pages in the separate Free Response booklet. Write your solution to each part in the space provided for that part.

(c)
,
y
H t
1
1 cos
2
2
dH
t
H
dt
0
4.
H
1 cos
1
2
2
dH
t dt
H
Separation of
variables
1 point
1 cos
1
2
2
ln
1
sin 2
dH
t
dt
H
t
H
C
One antiderivative
1 point
Second antiderivative
1 point
0
ln 4
1
sin
ln 3
2
C
C
Because
0
4,
H
1,
H
so
1
1.
H
H
ln
1
sin
ln 3
2
t
H
Constant of
integration and uses
initial condition
1 point
sin
2
ln 3
sin
2
1
3
t
t
H
e
e
sin
2
1
3
t
H t
e
Solves for H
1 point
Scoring notes:
ln
1
1
dH
H
H
0
t
4.
H
sin
2
1
3
t
H t
e
H t
sin
2
ln 3
1.
t
H t
e
1
1
H
H
s
1
co
1
2
2
dH
t
dt
H
The slope field shown is for the differential equation dxdy=ky−2y2, where k is a constant. What is the value of k ?
2
4
6
8 1.2 Multiple Choice Questions: Calculator Allowed

D