Further question on My Fractions problem

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the equation of a tangent line to the curve defined by the equation \(x^2 + (y-x)^3 = 9\) at the point (1, 3). Participants explore the correct slope of the tangent line and the resulting equation, addressing discrepancies between their calculations and a provided answer.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Timothy presents his calculation for the tangent line, asserting it has a slope of \(5/6\) and passes through (1, 3), resulting in the equation \(y = \frac{5}{6}x + \frac{13}{6}\).
  • Another participant suggests that Timothy's line has the correct slope, while the provided answer has an incorrect slope, proposing a potential typo in the problem statement or answer.
  • A later reply provides the implicit differentiation of the curve, confirming the slope at (1, 3) is indeed \(5/6\) and reiterates Timothy's equation for the tangent line.
  • One participant agrees with the assessment that the provided answer contains a typo, supporting the conclusion that the correct tangent line is \(y = \frac{5}{6}x + \frac{13}{6}\).

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that Timothy's calculation for the tangent line is correct, while there is contention regarding the provided answer, which is believed to contain a typo. However, the discussion does not reach a consensus on the source of the discrepancy.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the importance of verifying problem statements and answers, as well as the potential for typographical errors in mathematical contexts. The calculations depend on the correct interpretation of the implicit differentiation process.

tmt1
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I have a separate question on the same problem from my prior post.

I need an equation for a tangent which has a slope of 5/6 and passes through (1,3)

y-3 = 5/6(x-1)

I simplify this to

y= 5/6x +13/6

However the answer given is y = 7/6(x) + 13/6

Where am I going wrong?

Yours,

Timothy
 
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Your line has the required slope, while the given answer has the wrong slope. It is most likely a typo somewhere, either in the statement of the problem or the given answer. Can you post the original problem in its entirety?
 
PROBLEM 11 : Find an equation of the line tangent to the graph of x2 + (y-x)3 = 9 at x=1 . 'This is the end of the answer:

Thus, the slope of the line tangent to the graph at (1, 3) is

$ m = y' = \displaystyle{ 3 (3-1)^2 - 2(1) \over 3 (3-1)^2 } = \displaystyle{ 10 \over 12 } = \displaystyle{ 5 \over 6 } $ ,

and the equation of the tangent line is

y - ( 3 ) = (5/6) ( x - ( 1 ) ) ,

or

y = (7/6) x + (13/6) .

I suspect it is a typo in the answer. Here is the link for the full answer.

https://www.math.ucdavis.edu/~kouba...soldirectory/ImplicitDiffSol.html#SOLUTION 11
 
Okay, I see now...I assumed the slope was given as 5/6. Let's take a look at the problem. We are given the curve:

$$x^2+(y-x)^3=9$$

So, implicitly differentiating with respect to $x$, we find:

$$2x+3(y-x)^2\left(\frac{dy}{dx}-1 \right)=0$$

Solving for $$\frac{dy}{dx}$$, we find:

$$\frac{dy}{dx}=1-\frac{2x}{3(y-x)^2}$$

Now, when $x=1$, we find from the original curve:

$$1^2+(y-1)^3=9$$

$$y=3$$

And so we find the slope at the given point is:

$$\left.\frac{dy}{dx} \right|_{(x,y)=(1,3)}=1-\frac{2(1)}{3(3-1)^2}=1-\frac{2}{12}=\frac{5}{6}$$

Hence, using the point-slope formula, we obtain the tangent line:

$$y-3=\frac{5}{6}(x-1)$$

$$y=\frac{5}{6}x+\frac{13}{6}$$

Here is a plot of the curve and the tangent line:

View attachment 2098

I agree with your answer. (Yes)
 

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tmt said:
PROBLEM 11 : Find an equation of the line tangent to the graph of x2 + (y-x)3 = 9 at x=1 . 'This is the end of the answer:

Thus, the slope of the line tangent to the graph at (1, 3) is

$ m = y' = \displaystyle{ 3 (3-1)^2 - 2(1) \over 3 (3-1)^2 } = \displaystyle{ 10 \over 12 } = \displaystyle{ 5 \over 6 } $ ,

and the equation of the tangent line is

y - ( 3 ) = (5/6) ( x - ( 1 ) ) ,

or

y = (7/6) x + (13/6) .

I suspect it is a typo in the answer. Here is the link for the full answer.

https://www.math.ucdavis.edu/~kouba...soldirectory/ImplicitDiffSol.html#SOLUTION 11

I concur that both you and MarkFL are correct, the link you provided has a typo in the very last line (it is correct until that), and the correct tangent line has the equation:

$y = \dfrac{5}{6}x + \dfrac{13}{6}$
 

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