Thread: find the gradient to the curve at these points

find the gradient of the curve y=3x^4-2x²+5x-2 at the points (0,-2) and (1,4)

do i just differentiate once? its been years since ive done this, any help? cheers

Originally Posted by bobmarly12345

find the gradient of the curve y=3x^4-2x²+5x-2 at the points (0,-2) and (1,4)

do i just differentiate once? its been years since ive done this, any help? cheers

1. That's correct: Differentiate wrt x.

2. Plug in the x-coordinate of the point to get the gradient.

3. That's all!

But, again, why is this calculus problem posted under "Number Theory"?

The term "gradient" is normally used for a function of at least two variables. For the single-variable case, we use "slope".

Originally Posted by hollywood

The term "gradient" is normally used for a function of at least two variables. For the single-variable case, we use "slope".

That is the case in the United States. In Britain, "gradient" is typically used to mean what, in the United States, would be the "slope" or "derivative".

I wasn't aware of that. I'm actually surprised.

Thanks!!

- Hollywood