# Math Help - Help with a problem.

1. ## Help with a problem.

How do I find all points on a curve whose x coordinate is 1? Then, how do I write an equation for the tangent line at each of these points?

The curve is xy^2-x^3y=6

& I already have the derivative.

2. Originally Posted by MadHotThunder
How do I find all points on a curve whose x coordinate is 1? Then, how do I write an equation for the tangent line at each of these points?

The curve is xy^2-x^3y=6

& I already have the derivative.
To answer the first question:

Plug in $x=1$ into the original equation to find the y values.

$y^2-y=6\implies y^2-y-6=0$

This can be easily factored. You will get two y values, which I will denote as $y_1$ and $y_2$ respectively.

This will give you the two points: $(1,y_1)$ and $(1,y_2)$

Now, find the derivative [which you already did] and then plug these points into $\frac{\,dy}{\,dx}$. Each point will create a different slope, $m_1$ and $m_2$, respectively.

Now to find the equations of the tangents, use the point slope form of a line. You will have two equations:

$y-y_1=m_1(x-1)$ and $y-y_2=m_2(x-1)$

Can you take it from here?

--Chris

3. Originally Posted by Chris L T521
To answer the first question:

Plug in $x=1$ into the original equation to find the y values.

$y^2-y=6\implies y^2-y-6=0$

This can be easily factored. You will get two y values, which I will denote as $y_1$ and $y_2$ respectively.

This will give you the two points: $(1,y_1)$ and $(1,y_2)$

Now, find the derivative [which you already did] and then plug these points into $\frac{\,dy}{\,dx}$. Each point will create a different slope, $m_1$ and $m_2$, respectively.

Now to find the equations of the tangents, use the point slope form of a line. You will have two equations:

$y-y_1=m_1(x-1)$ and $y-y_2=m_2(x-1)$

Can you take it from here?

--Chris

You are AMAZING.
One last thing, how would I find the x-coordinate of each point on the cure where the tangent line is vertical??