All Forums
 Homework Help
another calculus problem!

 Printer Friendly
 
Author Previous Topic Topic Next Topic  
jpw
Radio Wave


Canada
8 Posts
Posted - 02/27/2003 :  01:10:22  Show Profile Send a private Message
Suppose that the tangent line at a point P on the curve y=x^3 intersects the curve again at a point Q. Show that the slope of the tangent at Q is four times the slope of the tangent at P.

The tangent slope at P is 3x^2 and point P is at (x, x^3) right but how do i find an expression for Q. I tried using (x+h, (x+h)^3) but that doesnt work out in the end.



Alert Mentor now

Tom
PF Mentor


USA
2944 Posts
Posted - 02/27/2003 :  01:31:53  Show Profile  Send a private Message  Visit Tom's Homepage
Basic procedure to find Q:

Let P be (h,h3).
Let Q be (k,k3).

The tangent line at P is y=mx+b, with m=3a2 (as you already indicated). You can find 'b' in two ways:

Evaluate y at the point P and get an expression for b in terms of h.
Evaluate y at the point Q and get an expression for b in terms of h and k.

Since the b in both calculations is the same, you can equate the two expressions to get k in terms of h.

Try that, and if you still need help, post what you get and what you're stuck on.

Tom
__________
Do your ears a favor. They'll thank you for it.
http://www.super400.com



Alert Mentor now Go to Top of Page

jpw
Radio Wave


Canada
8 Posts
Posted - 02/27/2003 :  03:58:13  Show Profile  Send a private Message
isn't 'b' the y-int so, isnt it different for both tangent P and Q. because otherwise, that means that P and Q are both the same tangent or they are perpendicular which they aren't.



Alert Mentor now Go to Top of Page

HallsofIvy
Micro Wave


USA
163 Posts
Posted - 02/27/2003 :  15:13:19  Show Profile  Send a private Message
The y-intercept of the tangent line at Q is not relevant.

The problem says that you construct a tangent (to y= x) at P and Q is the point where it again intersects the curve y= x3.

Writing P as (h,h3) and Q as (k,k3), the tangent line at P is y= (3h2)(x- h)+ h3. That will cross the curve at (k,k3) when k3= (3h2)(k-h)+ h3. From that k3- h3= (3h2)(k-h).

Of course, (k3- h3)/(k-h)= k2+kh+ h2 this tells us that
k2+ kh+ h2= 3h2

Now determine the slope of the tangent line at Q (3k2) and compare it to 3h2.



Alert Mentor now Go to Top of Page

jpw
Radio Wave


Canada
8 Posts
Posted - 02/27/2003 :  18:18:32  Show Profile  Send a private Message
first off...where does the (x-h) in your equation come from and why are you making your y-intercept equal to x^3?????



Alert Mentor now Go to Top of Page

jpw
Radio Wave


Canada
8 Posts
Posted - 02/28/2003 :  01:56:19  Show Profile  Send a private Message
for Point P:

h3=(3h2)(h)+b
-2h3=b

For Point Q:

k3=3h2k+b
b=(k3)-(3h2k)

so now we make them equal each other and this part i still dont understand. why do both b's equal each other? shouldnt they both be different because are we not talking about the tangent lines at P and Q? why are they both the same?

Alert Mentor now Go to Top of Page


Edited by - jpw on 02/28/2003 02:03:24
HallsofIvy
Micro Wave


USA
163 Posts
Posted - 02/28/2003 :  14:01:11  Show Profile  Send a private Message
First, in order to do problems involving tangent LINES, it would be a really good idea to know how to write the equation of a LINE!

Indeed, since the whole point of a tangent line is that it passes through a certain point on a curve and has a certain slope there, it would be a really good idea to know the "point-slope" form of a line!

quote:
so now we make them equal each other and this part i still dont understand. why do both b's equal each other? shouldnt they both be different because are we not talking about the tangent lines at P and Q? why are they both the same?

Exactly. They are NOT the same. That's why I (1) found the equation of the tangent line at P. (2) found where that crosses the curve when x=Q (so I could get a relationship between P and Q) (3) found the slope of the tangent line at x= Q.




Alert Mentor now Go to Top of Page

   

 Printer Friendly

 
load time: 1.3604