1. ## Finding the equation

How do I find the equation of the tangent to the graph of f(x)=Sqrt x at the point x=9.
I know the gradient of the tangent which is 1/6.
But I have no idea how to do this.
Any help will be appreciated.
THANKS

2. Originally Posted by Awsom Guy
How do I find the equation of the tangent to the graph of f(x)=Sqrt x at the point x=9.
I know the gradient of the tangent which is 1/6.
But I have no idea how to do this.
Any help will be appreciated.
THANKS
$f(x)=\sqrt{x}$ .. this is the equation of the curve .

$f(9)=3$

so y=3

3. Hello Awsom Guy
Originally Posted by Awsom Guy
How do I find the equation of the tangent to the graph of f(x)=Sqrt x at the point x=9.
I know the gradient of the tangent which is 1/6.
But I have no idea how to do this.
Any help will be appreciated.
THANKS
As you say, $f'(9) = \frac{1}{2\sqrt9}=\frac16$.

You now need $f(9) = \sqrt9 = 3$

So the tangent is at the point $(9,3)$.

Now use $y - y_1 = m(x-x_1)$, the equation of the line with gradient $m$ through the point $(x_1,y_1)$.

When simplified, this comes to $6y = x+9$.

Can you fill in the details?

4. i dont understand how you got 1/6 for m

5. Hello sjara
Originally Posted by sjara
i dont understand how you got 1/6 for m
The value of $m$ is the gradient of the curve at the point where $x = 9$. We get this by differentiating $f(x)$, and then plugging in that value, $x = 6$.

$f(x) = \sqrt{x}=x^{\frac12}$

$\Rightarrow f'(x)=\tfrac12x^{-\frac12}=\frac{1}{2\sqrt{x}}$

So when $x = 9, f'(9)= \frac{1}{2\sqrt{9}}=\frac16$

And this is the value of $m$, the gradient of the tangent when $x = 9$.