Equation of Tangent Line to y=cosx at a=pi/4

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The discussion focuses on finding the equation of the tangent line to the curve y=cos(x) at a=pi/4. The slope of the tangent line, derived from the derivative y'=-sin(x), is calculated as -sqrt(2)/2 at x=pi/4. The correct form of the tangent line is expressed as y = -sqrt(2)/2(x - pi/4) + sqrt(2)/2. There is confusion regarding the notation used for the tangent line, with emphasis on distinguishing between the slope and the full equation. Ultimately, the tangent line equation should be presented in the form y = mx + c for clarity.
UrbanXrisis
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Write the equation of the tangent line to the cure y=cosx at a=pi/4

(y-y1)=m(x-x1)

cos(pi/4)=sqrt(2)/2
y'=-sinx=-sin(pi/4)=-sqrt(2)/2

(y-sqrt(2)/2)=m(x-pi/4)
y'=-sqrt(2)/2(x-pi/4)+sqrt(2)/2

My teacher circled the y' and took a point off. I know that y'=-sinx but what should be in its place?
 
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y = mx + c is the tangent line.

y' = \frac{dy}{dx} which is the gradient of your line. So actually at x = a you will find that m = y'
 
The answer for the tangent line is
-sqrt(2)/2(x-pi/4)+sqrt(2)/2

However, I wrote y'=-sqrt(2)/2(x-pi/4)+sqrt(2)/2

which my teacher marked off a point for the y'
I know that -sqrt(2)/2(x-pi/4)+sqrt(2)/2 is the tangent line, but what does it equal to?
 
Because the tangent line is a function on its own, it could just be f(x) or y; you are looking for the equation of the tangent line, not just its slope (which is y').
 
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