Thread: tangent/secant lines.

Am i supposed to just pick numbers for this?

Given the function y=(4/x)-6

a) Find two points that satisfy the function

b) Find the equation of the secant line through those two points.

c) Determine if there is a point of tangency where the tangent line is parallel to the secant line in part b). If there are such points, find them or show why such a point does not exist.

Originally Posted by JessicaWade

Am i supposed to just pick numbers for this?

Given the function y=(4/x)-6

a) Find two points that satisfy the function

Yep, pick 2 separate numbers for x, sub them in to find y

Originally Posted by JessicaWade

b) Find the equation of the secant line through those two points.

Use the points you found in part a to find the line

Do you know how to do this?

Originally Posted by JessicaWade

c) Determine if there is a point of tangency where the tangent line is parallel to the secant line in part b). If there are such points, find them or show why such a point does not exist.

Using the line from the previous part, pick out the gradient to help find a line that is parallel.

OK, so I picked x=2 & x=1 .. I don't know what to do for part B or C though.

What were your corresponding y ordinates for ?

y = -4 & y = -2

Well done, now you have to find



where and