Find the equation of the straight line tangent to the curve y=2x^3+3x^2-4x+7, at the point x=-2.

We are looking for a straight line, so it needs the form y=mx+c. To find our gradient, m, we need the gradient of the curve at the point x=-2, so differentiate the equation: dy/dx=6x2+6x-4, and solve at x=-2, ie m=64-62-4=8.To find c, calculate the y coordinate at x=-2 using the equation of the curve: y=2*(-8)+34-4(-2)+7=11. Using the values we have for y, m and x, we can calculate what value c should be: y=mx+c, so c=y-mx=11-8*(-2)=27.Thus the equation for the tangent line at x=-2 is y=8x+27.

JB
Answered by James B. Maths tutor

6031 Views

See similar Maths A Level tutors

Related Maths A Level answers

All answers ▸

How do you differentiate (2x+xe^6x)/(9x-(2x^2)-ln(x)) w.r.t. x?


integrate (4cos^4 x -4cos^2x+1)^1/2


intergrate xcos(2x) with respect to x


Differentiate the equation y^2 + y = x^3 + 2x


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning