What is the slope of the curve at the point (2,1)?

In summary, at the given point (2,1), the slope of the curve x^6y^6=64 is -12 and the line that is normal to the curve is y=1/2x+2.
  • #1
carlarae
5
0

Homework Statement


At the given point, find the slope of the curve, the line that is tangent to the curve, or the line that is normal to the curve, as requested. x^6y^6=64, normal at (2,1)


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


64/y^6
or 6x6y=0, that's as far as I am getting, totally lost.
 
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  • #2
You know the slope of the tangent at a point is the deriverative of the curve at that point right? So you need to find the deriverave of:

[tex]
x^6 y^6 = 64
[/tex]
at (x,y)=(2,1) and (guessing - you check) y is a function of x.

you can solve the equation for y, then find y' or find the implicit deriverative:
example

[tex]\frac{dy}{dx}:x^2y^2=4[/tex][tex]
\frac{d}{dx} \left ( x^2y^2=4 \right )[/tex][tex]
y^2\frac{d}{dx}x^2 + x^2\frac{d}{dx}y^2 = 0[/tex][tex]
2xy^2 + 2yx^2\frac{dy}{dx} = 0[/tex][tex]
\frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{-2xy^2}{2yx^2} = -xy[/tex]
 

1. What does the slope of a curve represent?

The slope of a curve represents the rate of change of the dependent variable with respect to the independent variable. It tells us how much the dependent variable is changing for every unit change in the independent variable.

2. How do you find the slope of a curve?

The slope of a curve can be found by calculating the derivative of the function at a specific point. This can be done using the limit definition of a derivative or by using differentiation rules.

3. What is the difference between average slope and instantaneous slope?

Average slope is calculated by finding the change in the y-values divided by the change in the x-values over a given interval. Instantaneous slope, on the other hand, is the slope of the curve at a specific point and is found by taking the limit as the interval approaches zero.

4. Can the slope of a curve be negative?

Yes, the slope of a curve can be negative. This means that the dependent variable is decreasing as the independent variable increases. A negative slope indicates a downward trend in the data.

5. How can the slope of a curve be used in real-world applications?

The slope of a curve can be used to analyze and predict the behavior of various phenomena in the real world. It is commonly used in physics, economics, and engineering to study the rate of change of different variables and make informed decisions based on this information.

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