Differentiation find the gradient of the curve Problem

tigerd12
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The problem

The Diagram shows the graph of y=x^3-12x+17
A is the maximum point on the curve
C is the minimum point on the curve
The curve crosses the y-axis at B

For the equation find dy/dx, y=x^3-12x+17 (DONE)

Heres the problem

find the gradient of the curve at B

now what am I supposed to do here?

this is what i tried but I am not sure if its right

3x^2-12=17

make x the subject therefore giving

x=\sqrt{}29/3

so is that right or..?
 
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For b) you need to find the value of the derivative at the point B. What are the coordinates of the point B ?
 
im guessing the coordinates at point B are (0,17), but how does that help me in finding the gradient at that point
 
tigerd12 said:
The problem

The Diagram shows the graph of y=x^3-12x+17
A is the maximum point on the curve
C is the minimum point on the curve
The curve crosses the y-axis at B




For the equation find dy/dx, y=x^3-12x+17 (DONE)

Heres the problem

find the gradient of the curve at B

now what am I supposed to do here?

this is what i tried but I am not sure if its right

3x^2-12=17
I presume you found that the derivative is 3x^2- 12. By why are you asserting that the derivative is 17? You are supposed to be finding the value of the derivative!

make x the subject therefore giving

x=\sqrt{}29/3

so is that right or..?

No, it's not right- you weren't even asked for a value of x!

You know that f'(x)= 3x^2- 12. You are asked to find its value at point B. Of course, to do that you need to know what x is there. Saying the graph crosses the x-axis tells you that y= 0. Okay y= x^3- 12x+ 17= 0. Can you determine what x is from that?

 
HallsofIvy said:
You know that f'(x)= 3x^2- 12. You are asked to find its value at point B. Of course, to do that you need to know what x is there. Saying the graph crosses the x-axis tells you that y= 0. Okay y= x^3- 12x+ 17= 0. Can you determine what x is from that?

Sorry, I don't seem to be understand what you are saying. Do you want me to find the solutions of the equation x^3-12x+17?
 
Remember. The curve crosses y-axis at point B. So you know the y = 0 but you have to find the x-value for the point B:

In other words. B = (x,0)

Also, you know that f'(x) = 3x^2-12

Let f'(x) = 0 and then find a value for x. Then you have got point B! :)
 
tigerd12 said:
Sorry, I don't seem to be understand what you are saying. Do you want me to find the solutions of the equation x^3-12x+17?
Yes, that's exactly what I said! Then find the derivative at that value of x.

danni7070 said:
Remember. The curve crosses y-axis at point B. So you know the y = 0 but you have to find the x-value for the point B:

In other words. B = (x,0)

Also, you know that f'(x) = 3x^2-12

Let f'(x) = 0 and then find a value for x. Then you have got point B! :)
?? No, the curve is y= f(x), not y= f'(x).
 
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