Equations of Tangent Lines to y=4x^{3}+5x-8 Passing Through (1,-3)

[ThomasHW]

Homework Statement

Find equations of all tangent lines to the graph of y=4x^{3}+5x-8

The Attempt at a Solution

I took the derivative of the equation, which was:

\acute{y}=12x^{2}+5

I remember having done these types of questions in high school, but I just can't remember, and I can't find any questions which are similar. Urg!

 

[Mindscrape]

What does a derivative give you? You may be over-thinking this.

 

[ZioX]

Essentially you look at the points (x,4x^3+5x-8) on the curve and for each point associate a tangent line. That is, solve (y-y(x_0))=y'(x_0)(x-x_0) for y.

 

[ThomasHW]

What does a derivative give you? You may be over-thinking this.

It gives you the slope at any single point on a line.

I thought I should use the 12x^{2}+5, and the point (1,-3) in y=mx+b, to find a b value, but when it's all said and done I don't get a tangent line. I get y=(12x^{2}+5)x-20 which just goes through the line.

BTW, they're looking for a total of two equations for the answer.

 

[HallsofIvy]

It gives you the slope at any single point on a line.

I thought I should use the 12x^{2}+5, and the point (1,-3) in y=mx+b, to find a b value, but when it's all said and done I don't get a tangent line. I get y=(12x^{2}+5)x-20 which just goes through the line.

BTW, they're looking for a total of two equations for the answer.

It gives you the slope of the tangent line! Which is exactly what you want.
And slope is a number not a formula in x. If you are looking for the slope of the tangent line at a point on the curve, you evaluate the derivative at the x value of that point.

Your original question said "Find equations of all tangent lines". I THINK you are now saying "find equations for all tangent lines to 4x³+ 5x- 8 that pass through (1, -3)" but you never told us about that last part!
One way to do that is not look at the derivative but look for solutions to the simultaneous equations y= m(x-1)+ 3 (any line through (1,3) can be written like that) and y= 4x³+ 5x- 8. For specific values of m that would give you a cubic for x which typically has three distinct answers. Look for the value of m so that equation has a double (or triple) root. That's how DesCartes found tangent lines "pre-calculus".