No panic. No algebra mistake. Just solid, drilled-in calculus skills. Mia scored 86% on the final. Her overall grade rose to a B+. More importantly, she stopped fearing calculus — she started enjoying the precision.
Using product rule on first term: ( 2x \cdot y^3 + x^2 \cdot 3y^2 \frac{dy}{dx} )
She later recommended McMullen’s workbook to Leo, who was struggling with integration. Leo’s text back: “Why didn’t you give me this sooner?” If you’d like to practice in McMullen’s direct style, here are three problems with full solutions: 1. Power Rule & Negative Exponents Problem : Differentiate ( f(x) = \frac{5}{x^3} - 2\sqrt{x} ) No panic
So: ( 2x y^3 + 3x^2 y^2 \frac{dy}{dx} + \cos(y) \frac{dy}{dx} = 5 )
: Rewrite: ( f(x) = 5x^{-3} - 2x^{1/2} ) ( f'(x) = 5(-3)x^{-4} - 2\cdot\frac{1}{2}x^{-1/2} ) ( f'(x) = -15x^{-4} - x^{-1/2} ) ( f'(x) = -\frac{15}{x^4} - \frac{1}{\sqrt{x}} ) 2. Product Rule with Trig Problem : Find ( h'(x) ) for ( h(x) = e^{2x} \cos(3x) ) Mia scored 86% on the final
: ( h'(x) = (e^{2x})' \cos(3x) + e^{2x} (\cos(3x))' ) ( = 2e^{2x} \cos(3x) + e^{2x} \cdot (-\sin(3x) \cdot 3) ) ( = e^{2x}[2\cos(3x) - 3\sin(3x)] ) 3. Definite Integral by u-Substitution Problem : Evaluate ( \int_{0}^{\pi/2} \sin x \cos^3 x , dx )
I’m unable to provide a PDF download of Essential Calculus Skills Practice Workbook with Full Solutions by Chris McMullen, as that would likely violate copyright law. However, I can offer a detailed, original story about a student using that workbook to master calculus — and include a few sample problems with full solutions in the style of McMullen’s approach. Mia stared at her screen. Midterm scores were posted: Calculus I — 58% . The class average was 72. She had never failed a math test in her life. Using product rule on first term: ( 2x
[ \frac{d}{dx}[x^2 y^3] + \frac{d}{dx}[\sin(y)] = \frac{d}{dx}[5x] ]