A curve has the equation y = x^4 - 8x^2 + 60x + 7. What is the gradient of the curve when x = 6?

To find the gradient of any curve, we take the derivative. So in this case, we need to take dy/dx. We do this by multiplying the term by the power on x, and then lowering the power by one. For example, for the first term, x4, the power is four, so we multiply x4 by four, and the power becomes three, so we have 4x3. We repeat this for all of the terms individually to get dy/dx = 4x-16x +60. That gives us the gradient at any point. To get the gradient at x = 6 we need to substitute the value in to the new equation, so we get dy/dx = 4 * 63 - 16 * 6 + 60 = 828

EH
Answered by Elizabeth H. Maths tutor

6024 Views

See similar Maths A Level tutors

Related Maths A Level answers

All answers ▸

Differentiante y = arctan(c)


The second and fifth terms of a geometric series are 750 and -6 respectively. Find: (1) the common ratio; (2) the first term of the series; (3) the sum to infinity of the series


find dy/dx= x^2 +x^3


AQA PC4 2015 Q5 // A) Find the gradient at P. B) Find the equation of the normal to the curve at P C)The normal P intersects at the curve again at the point Q(cos2q, sin q) Hence find the x-coordinate of Q.


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:

© 2026 by IXL Learning