# Math Help - Tangent Line Help

1. ## Tangent Line Help

I need help with this question. How would you do something like this (below)? I know that the derivative of a function at a point equals the slope of the tangent line to the graph of the function at that particular point, but the derivative comes out to be a quadratic. Please help. Thanks.

Let the function $f$ be given by $f(x)=x^3+2x-8x+3$. Write an equation of the line tangent to the graph of $f$ at $x=-2$.

2. Originally Posted by Cursed
I need help with this question. How would you do something like this (below)? I know that the derivative of a function at a point equals the slope of the tangent line to the graph of the function at that particular point, but the derivative comes out to be a quadratic. Please help. Thanks.

Let the function $f$ be given by $f(x)=x^3+2x-8x+3$. Write an equation of the line tangent to the graph of $f$ at $x=-2$.
i don't see your problem, you basically said the solution, well, most of it anyway. yes, the derivative gives the slope at any point. you want the slope of the tangent line at the point x = -2 to find the equation of the tangent line at that point. you get a quadratic, that doesn't matter, just plug in x = -2 and solve. the number you get is the slope. use that to find the equation of the line