Find x-Coordinate on (0,2π) for y=x√3+2sin(x) Horizontal Tangent Line

  • Thread starter cowgiljl
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In summary, the conversation discusses the equation y = x√3+2sin(x) being used to find the x-coordinate on (0,2π), which allows for the determination of the point on the graph where the tangent line is horizontal. This is achieved by finding the value of x that makes the derivative of the equation equal to 0. The horizontal tangent line is important for understanding the behavior of the graph at a specific point and can also help determine maximum and minimum values. Additionally, this equation can also be used to find other types of tangent lines, such as vertical tangent lines, by setting the derivative equal to infinity.
  • #1
cowgiljl
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y = x*square root of 3 + 2sinx find the x coordinate on (0,2pie) of the points where y has a horizonal tangent line

I am really lost and struggling on getting this started :cry: :confused:

thanks joe
 
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  • #2
Since y= x√(3)+ 2 sin x, y'= &radic(3)+ 3 cos x. The tangent line is horizontal when y'= 0.
 
  • #3


Hi Joe,

Don't worry, finding the x-coordinate for a horizontal tangent line can be a bit tricky at first. Let's break it down step by step.

First, we need to find the derivative of the given equation. The derivative will give us the slope of the tangent line at any given point.

So, let's start by finding the derivative of y = x√3+2sin(x):

y' = (√3 + 2cos(x)) * 1

We can simplify this to:

y' = √3 + 2cos(x)

Next, we need to find the x-values where the derivative is equal to 0. This is because when the derivative is 0, the slope of the tangent line is also 0, which means it is a horizontal line.

So, let's set the derivative equal to 0 and solve for x:

√3 + 2cos(x) = 0

2cos(x) = -√3

cos(x) = -√3/2

Now, we need to find the x-values on the interval (0,2π) that satisfy this equation. We can use a unit circle to find these values. The unit circle shows the cosine values for different angles, so we can use it to find the angles that have a cosine value of -√3/2.

Looking at the unit circle, we can see that the only angle on the interval (0,2π) that has a cosine value of -√3/2 is 5π/6.

So, the x-coordinate for the horizontal tangent line is x = 5π/6.

I hope this helps! Don't be discouraged, math can be challenging but with practice and patience, you can definitely master it. Keep up the good work!
 

What is the equation being used to find the x-coordinate on (0,2π)?

The equation being used is y = x√3+2sin(x).

What is the significance of finding the x-coordinate on (0,2π)?

Finding the x-coordinate on (0,2π) allows us to determine the point on the graph where the tangent line is horizontal.

How is the horizontal tangent line determined using this equation?

The horizontal tangent line is determined by finding the value of x that makes the derivative of the equation equal to 0. This will be the x-coordinate of the point where the tangent line is horizontal.

Why is it important to find the horizontal tangent line?

The horizontal tangent line is important because it gives us information about the behavior of the graph at a specific point. It can also help us determine the maximum and minimum values of the graph.

Can this equation be used to find other types of tangent lines?

Yes, this equation can also be used to find other types of tangent lines, such as vertical tangent lines. By setting the derivative of the equation equal to infinity, we can find the x-coordinate of the point where the tangent line is vertical.

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