Find Equation of Normal Line to y=x^2-5x+4 Parallel to x-3y=5

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the equation of a normal line to the parabola defined by the equation y=x^2-5x+4, which is parallel to the line represented by x-3y=5. The conversation includes mathematical reasoning and problem-solving steps related to derivatives and slopes.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Participants discuss the concept of normal lines and their relationship to tangent lines, specifically that the slope of the normal line is the negative reciprocal of the slope of the tangent line.
  • One participant suggests that if the normal line has a slope of 1/3, then the tangent line must have a slope of -3.
  • Another participant asks for clarification on how the slope of the tangent line is determined from the normal line's slope.
  • Steps are proposed for finding the point on the parabola where the tangent has a slope of -3, including computing the derivative of the parabola and solving for x.
  • There is a correction regarding the distribution of terms in the point-slope formula, leading to a final equation for the normal line.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the mathematical steps involved in finding the normal line, but there are moments of clarification and correction regarding the application of the point-slope formula. The discussion reflects a collaborative effort to refine understanding without reaching a definitive conclusion on the problem's complexity.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the initial steps and seek clarification on the relationships between slopes of normal and tangent lines. The discussion includes corrections on mathematical expressions without resolving all potential ambiguities.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students learning about derivatives, normal lines, and tangent lines in calculus, as well as those seeking help with similar homework problems involving parabolas and line equations.

Petrus
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Hello,
i know how to calculate normal line on point but i don't know how to do this problem.
"find an equation of the normal line o the parabola y=x^2-5x+4 tha is parallel to the line x-3y=5."
 
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Petrus said:
Hello,
i know how to calculate normal line on point but i don't know how to do this problem.
"find an equation of the normal line o the parabola y=x^2-5x+4 tha is parallel to the line x-3y=5."
If the normal has slope $1/3$ then the tangent has slope $-3$. Can you find a point on the parabola where the tangent has slope $-3$?
 
Opalg said:
If the normal has slope $1/3$ then the tangent has slope $-3$. Can you find a point on the parabola where the tangent has slope $-3$?
Hello,
I don't understand where you get them all, could you possible tell me how you know that?
 
Petrus said:
could you possible tell me how you know that?
You are told that the normal line is parallel to the line $x-3y=5$, which you can write as $y = \frac13x-\frac53.$ That is a line with slope $\frac13.$ The tangent is perpendicular to the normal, and you should know that if a line has slope $m$, then the perpendicular line has slope $-1/m.$ So if the normal has slope $\frac13$ then the tangent has slope $-3$. Does that help?
 
If I know that how shall I proceed? I can't make any progress.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Hello Petrus,

If you compute the derivative of the parabola $f(x)=x^2-5x+4$, equate that to -3 and solve for $x$, you will then be able to determine the point on the parabola at which the normal line will intersect it.

Then you will have determined a point $(x,f(x))$ and the slope $m=-3$, and you may then apply the point-slope formula to obtain the equation of the desired normal line.

Can you follow these steps, and show us your work?
 
MarkFL said:
Hello Petrus,

If you compute the derivative of the parabola $f(x)=x^2-5x+4$, equate that to -3 and solve for $x$, you will then be able to determine the point on the parabola at which the normal line will intersect it.

Then you will have determined a point $(x,f(x))$ and the slope $m=-3$, and you may then apply the point-slope formula to obtain the equation of the desired normal line.

Can you follow these steps, and show us your work?
Hello Mark,
we start with calculate x
first i derivate the function $f(x)=x^2-5x+4$ and get $f'(x)=2x-5$ and then i set that =-3 and get $x=1$ and then i put $x=1$ on orginal function and get $y=0$ so we get the point slope formula $y-y1=m(x-x1)$ and get $y-0=-3(x-1)$ and then $y=3x-3$
 
I agree with your work until the very last step. You correctly wrote:

$y-0=-3(x-1)$

Now, try distributing the -3 on the right again...
 
MarkFL said:
I agree with your work until the very last step. You correctly wrote:

$y-0=-3(x-1)$

Now, try distributing the -3 on the right again...
Hello Mark,
Sorry i forgot i had -3 i mean $y=-3x+3$
 
  • #10
Yes! (Yes)

Good work, Petrus! I appreciate that you read the suggestions, applied them and posted your work as a means of following through! This let's us know that you understood the suggestions. :cool:
 
  • #11
MarkFL said:
Yes! (Yes)

Good work, Petrus! I appreciate that you read the suggestions, applied them and posted your work as a means of following through! This let's us know that you understood the suggestions. :cool:
Thank you Mark and the one who replied early!:) Now i understand how to do it thanks to the help!:) Have a nice day!
 
  • #12
Petrus said:
$y=-3x+3$
Good work! (Muscle) (Star)
 
  • #13
We are glad to help, and it is gratifying to hear that your understanding has increased! (Clapping)

This is our goal.
 

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