Find p and q for Tangent to y=(1/3)x^3 at 24x+3y+2=0

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In summary, to find the point of tangency between the curve y=(1/3)x^3 and the tangent line with equation 24x+3y+2=0, the gradient of the tangent line is -8 and the derivative of the curve is x^2-9. By solving for x, we get x=1 or x=-1. To determine which x value corresponds to the point of tangency, substitute each value into the equations and if the resulting y values match, then that point lies on both the curve and the tangent line.
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m00c0w
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For the curve y = (1/3)x^3, given that 24x + 3y +2 = 0 is the equation of the tangent to the curve at the point (p,q) find p and q.

I rearranged to get y = -8x - 2/3

So the tangent gradient is -8

I differentiated to get x^2 - 9

Therefore x^2 - 9 = -8 and x = 1 or x = -1.

From here how do I distinguish whether x = 1 or x = -1?

Many thanks.
 
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  • #2
for x =1
substitute this into the equation of the tangent and the equation of the curve

do the same thing for x = -1
if in any of the two cases you get the y value that matches between the curve and the tangent then that point (x,y) lies on the curve, thus the line is tangent to that point on the curve
 

What is the equation of the tangent line to y=(1/3)x^3 at the point where 24x+3y+2=0?

The equation of the tangent line can be found by taking the derivative of y=(1/3)x^3 and plugging in the x-value of the point of tangency. In this case, the x-value is -2/3. So the equation is y=-4x-5.

How do you find the slope of the tangent line to y=(1/3)x^3 at a given point?

The slope of the tangent line can be found by taking the derivative of the function and plugging in the x-value of the given point. In this case, the derivative is y'=x^2 and the x-value is -2/3. So the slope is -4/9.

What is the significance of finding the point of tangency for a given function?

The point of tangency represents the point on the curve where the tangent line has the same slope as the curve. This is useful in understanding the behavior of the function at that point and can also be used to approximate the value of the function at that point.

How does the value of p and q affect the position of the tangent line?

The values of p and q determine the position of the tangent line by shifting the original function. If p is positive, the tangent line will be shifted to the right, and if p is negative, it will be shifted to the left. Similarly, if q is positive, the tangent line will be shifted up, and if q is negative, it will be shifted down.

What is the relationship between the equation of the tangent line and the original function?

The equation of the tangent line and the original function are related in that the tangent line represents the instantaneous rate of change of the original function at a specific point. This means that the tangent line and the original function have the same slope at the point of tangency.

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