# Help for quickest and clearest route for differentiation question

## Homework Statement

Find the coordinates of the points on these curves at which the gradient has the given values.

## The Attempt at a Solution

Basically the problem I have isn't really finding the answer because.....

x^(1/2)-x^-(1/2)=6/4[/b] and then from here I just used trial and error to find 4, but I want to know how I would follow it through with the algebra, i.e. only has x on one side as one term e.g. x= ans.

kauymatty

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Try substituting z = x^(1/2), then cast the result into the form az^2 + bz + c = 0.

vela
Staff Emeritus
Homework Helper
I'd square both sides of the equation. That'll eliminate the square roots completely.

I'd square both sides of the equation. That'll eliminate the square roots completely.
Thanks vela and banders, but after eliminating the roots I would still have the negative power, would I just get a common denominator by multiplying through with 16x as the denominator? (big of a noobish question XD)

vela
Staff Emeritus