AP Calculus BC Unit 9: Parametric and Polar Functions
Practice AP Calculus BC Unit 9 questions on parametric derivatives, vector-valued motion, polar derivatives, and polar regions.
- Syllabus
- Effective Fall 2025
- Course
- AP Calculus BC
Practice AP Calculus BC Unit 9 questions on parametric derivatives, vector-valued motion, polar derivatives, and polar regions.
For 0≤t≤π, a particle is moving along the curve shown so that its position at time t is (x(t), y(t)), where x(t) is not explicitly given and y(t)=2sint. It is known that dtdx=ecost. At time t=0, the particle is at position (1, 0).
Find the acceleration vector of the particle at time t=1. Show the setup for your calculations.
Since
dtdx=ecost,dt2d2x=−ecostsint,x′′(1)=−ecos1sin1=−1.444407.
Also,
y(t)=2sint⟹dt2d2y=−2sint,y′′(1)=−2sin1=−1.682942.
Therefore,
a(1)=⟨−1.444407,−1.682942⟩.
For 0≤t≤π, find the first time t at which the speed of the particle is 1.5. Show the work that leads to your answer.
Speed =(dtdx)2+(dtdy)2=(ecost)2+(2cost)20≤t≤π and (ecost)2+(2cost)2=1.5(ecost)2+(2cost)2=1.5
1 point
⇒t=1.254472,t=2.358077
Answer
1 point
The first time at which the speed of the particle is 1.5 is
t=1.254.
Scoring notes:
- A response with an implied equation is eligible for both points. For example, a response of
"Speed =(ecost)2+(2cost)2 and is first equal to 1.5 at t=1.254 " earns both points.
- (dtdx)2+(dtdy)2=1.5 earns the first point. Speed = 1.5 by itself does not earn the first point.
Both of these responses are eligible to earn the second point.
- A response need not consider the value t=2.358077.
- A response of t=1.254 alone does not earn either point.
- A response with a parenthesis error(s) in either (ecost)2 or (2cost)2 does not earn the first point
but does earn the second point for the correct answer. Note: dtdx2+dtdy2 is not considered a
parenthesis error.
- For the second point, if the differential is missing:
○ ∫01ecost earns the second point and is eligible for the third point.
○ x(1)=∫01ecost earns the second point but is not eligible for the third point.
○ x(1)=1+∫01ecost earns the second point and is eligible for the third point.
○ x(1)=∫01ecost+1 does not earn the second point but earns the third point for the
correct answer.
- The third point is not earned for a response that presents an incorrect statement, such as
x(1)=∫01ecostdt=1+2.342.
- Degree mode: In degree mode, dxdy=0.735759 or 0.012841 and 1+∫01ecostdt=3.718144.
Total for part
Find the slope of the line tangent to the path of the particle at time t=1. Find the x-coordinate of the position of the particle at time t=1. Show the work that leads to your answers.
(c)
Find the slope of the line tangent to the path of the particle at time
1.
t =
Find the x -coordinate of the
position of the particle at time
1.
t =
Show the work that leads to your answers.
cos
2cos
t
dy dt
t
dy
dx
dx dt
e
=
=
cos1
1
2cos1
0.629530
t
dy
dx
e
=
=
=
The slope of the line tangent to the curve at
1
t =
is 0.630 (or
0.629).
Slope with supporting
work
1 point
( )
( )
1
1 cos
0
0
1
0
1
3.341575
t
dx
x
x
dt
e
dt
dt
=
+
=
+
=
⌠
⌡
∫
The x -coordinate of the position at
1
t =
is 3.342 (or 3.341).
1 cos
0
t
e
dt
∫
1 point
( )
1
x
1 point
Scoring notes:
•
To earn the first point, the response must communicate;
dy dt
dy
dx
dx dt
=
for example:
o
cos1
2cos1
dy
dx
e
=
o
0.63
dy dt
dx dt =
o
( )
1
1.716526,
x′
=
( )
1
1.080605,
y′
=
slope
0.63
=
o
2cos,
dy
t
dt =
slope
0.63
=
•
A response may import an incorrect expression for
( )
y t
′
or value of
( )
1
y′
from part (a), provided it
was declared in part (a).
•
The second point is earned for a response that presents the definite integral
1 cos
0
t
e
dt
∫
or
1
0
dx dt
dt
⌠
⌡
with or without the initial condition.
AP® Calculus AB/BC 2023 Scoring Guidelines
•
For the second point, if the differential is missing:
o
1 cos
0
t
e
∫
earns the second point and is eligible for the third point.
o
( )
1 cos
0
1
t
x
e
= ∫
earns the second point but is not eligible for the third point.
o
( )
1 cos
0
1
1
t
x
e
=
+ ∫
earns the second point and is eligible for the third point.
o
( )
1 cos
0
1
1
t
x
e
=
+
∫
does not earn the second point but earns the third point for the
correct answer.
•
The third point is not earned for a response that presents an incorrect statement, such as
( )
1 cos
0
1
1
2.342.
t
x
dt
e
=
=
+
∫
•
Degree mode: In degree mode,
0.735759
dy
dx =
or 0.012841 and
1 cos
0
1
3.718144.
t
e
dt
+
=
∫
Find the total distance traveled by the particle over the time interval 0≤t≤π. Show the setup for your calculations.
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.
END OF PART A
CALCULUS BC
SECTION II, Part B
Time-1 hour
4 Questions
NO CALCULATOR IS ALLOWED FOR THESE QUESTIONS.
∫0π(ecost)2+(2cost)2dt
Integral
1 point
=6.034611
The total distance traveled by the particle over 0≤t≤π is 6.035 (or 6.034).
Answer
1 point
Scoring notes:
- The first point is earned for presenting the correct integrand in a definite integral.
- Parentheses errors were assessed in part (b) and, therefore, will not affect the scoring in part (d).
- If the integrand is an incorrect speed function imported from part (b), the response earns the first point and does not earn the second point.
- An unsupported answer of 6.035 (or 6.034) does not earn either point.
- Degree mode: In degree mode, the total distance is 10.596835 or 8.536161.
Total for part (d)
for question 2
9 points
7. Given the parametric equations x(t)=2t2−1 and y(t)=3+2t3/2, which expression gives the length of the curve from t=1 to t=3 ?
∫131+9tdt
∫131+16t9dt
∫1316t2+9tdt
∫13(2t2−1)2+(3+2t3/2)2dt
C
For time t>0, the position of a particle moving in the x y-plane is given by the vector ⟨t1,e3t⟩. What is the velocity vector of the particle at time t=2 ?
⟨21,e6⟩
⟨41,e6⟩
⟨41,3e6⟩
⟨−41,e6⟩
⟨−41,3e6⟩
E