---
title: "Indeterminate Form — AP Calculus Definition & Exam Guide"
description: "An indeterminate form like 0/0 or ∞/∞ means a limit can't be read off by substitution alone. Learn how it triggers L'Hôpital's Rule on the AP Calc exam."
canonical: "https://fiveable.me/ap-calc/key-terms/indeterminate-form"
type: "key-term"
subject: "AP Calculus AB/BC"
---

# Indeterminate Form — AP Calculus Definition & Exam Guide

## Definition

Indeterminate forms are mathematical expressions where it is not possible to determine their exact value without further analysis or techniques such as L'Hôpital's rule.

## Related Study Guides

- [1.7 Selecting Procedures for Determining Limits](/ap-calc/unit-1/selecting-procedures-for-determining-limits/study-guide/jEibswwoSkYlDoRpkkYY)

## Review

### Related Terms

- [Limit](/ap-calc/key-terms/limit): The value that a function approaches as its input approaches a certain point.
- [L'Hôpital's Rule](/ap-calc/key-terms/lhopitals-rule): A technique used to evaluate limits of indeterminate forms by taking derivatives of the numerator and denominator separately.
- Infinity (∞): A concept representing an unbounded quantity that is greater than any real number. It often appears in indeterminate forms when evaluating limits.