Find the slope of the tangent to the curve

**s3a** · September 26th 2009, 07:31 PM

Find the slope of the tangent to the curve

y = 3 + 4x^2 - 2x^3

at the point where x = a.

Answer: 8a - 6a^2

I have no idea how to answer this question since it doesn't give me any points to work with.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks in advance!

**differentiate** · September 26th 2009, 08:59 PM

Differentiate it

$y = 3 + 4x^2 - 2x^3$

$y' = 8x - 6x^2$

y' is also known as the gradient function. so when x = a, the gradient would be equal to? substitute x = a for all x values

$y' = 8(a) - 6(a)^2$

$= 8a - 6a^2$

therefore, the slope of the tangent is equal to $= 8a - 6a^2$

Thread: Find the slope of the tangent to the curve

LinkBack

Thread Tools

Display

Find the slope of the tangent to the curve

Similar Math Help Forum Discussions

the slope of the tangent to the curve (y^3)x+(y^2)x^6=6 at 2,1

slope of tangent line to a curve

slope of tangent line on a curve?

help with a slope of the tangent to a curve

slope of a tangent to a curve

Search Tags