need help with a tangent and normal question (2 Viewers)

wgy182

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Can anyone help me with this question?

Find the gradient of the tangent on the curve y=x/sqrt (2x) at the point (4, sqrt(2)). Express your answer as a rational number.


Thanks in advance :)
 

Makematics

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hmmm well i get 1/4root2, although this may well be incorrect as i rushed it. i'll type it up for you if it is correct.
 

wgy182

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Ok thanks but the answer in the book is m= sqrt(2)-2/2
 

Makematics

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wat? 'express your answer as a rational number'... is dis possible?
 

JT145

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@Heroic Pandas

In your third line did you multiply the whole thing by the square root of x

Because then wouldn't the numerator be x (square root of x)

If that makes sense
 

Menomaths

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@Heroic Pandas

In your third line did you multiply the whole thing by the square root of x

Because then wouldn't the numerator be x (square root of x)

If that makes sense
When you multiply by square root x you get x square root x on the numerator but you also get a x at the denominator. The denominator x cancel's the numerator x leaving you with square root x / square root 2.
 
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lol. how did i manage to get 8 / root 2. exactly the reverse.

how would you work out this answer without simplifying it first. if anyone is bothered that would be much appreciated.
 
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This is going to be so hard to see:

Ok.

y = x/root2x
= x(2x)^1/2
y' = (2x)^1/2 + 1/2(2x)^-1/2 . 2 . x
= root 2x + x/ root 2x
sub 4 in:
= root 8 + 4/root8
= 12/ root8
= 3root 8/2

what did i do wrong??
 
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HeroicPandas

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This is going to be so hard to see:

Ok.

y = x/root2x
= x(2x)^1/2
y' = (2x)^1/2 + 1/2(2x)^-1/2 . 2 . x
= root 2x + x/ root 2x
sub 4 in:
= root 8 + 4/root8
= 12/ root8
= 3root 8/2

what did i do wrong??
bringing index up, means pwoer is negative
 
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wooopsss. but i still don't manage to get the correct answer. now it just complicates things by having

y' = 1/ root2x - x / root (2x)^3
 

bedpotato

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wooopsss. but i still don't manage to get the correct answer. now it just complicates things by having

y' = 1/ root2x - x / root (2x)^3
Try using the quotient rule. That's what I used without simplifying it, and I got sqrt(2)/8.
 

HeroicPandas

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wooopsss. but i still don't manage to get the correct answer. now it just complicates things by having

y' = 1/ root2x - x / root (2x)^3
such a complicated pathway would only provide u misery, so we must look for another way to approach this question

The golden rule for all differentiating or integrating question: simplify the question so that it can be easily differentiated or integrated

MENTALITY (A)



MENTALITY (B)



This is attractive function can be easily differentiated :)
 
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thanks mate, i'll keep that in mind before diving into differentiating next time. however, i just don't understand why my method doesn't work. it's go tto be possible somehow.
 

Menomaths

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such a complicated pathway would only provide u misery, so we must look for another way to approach this question

The golden rule for all differentiating or integrating question: simplify the question so that it can be easily differentiated or integrated

MENTALITY (A)



MENTALITY (B)



This is attractive function can be easily differentiated :)
For mentality A, line 3 shouldn't it be x^1+1/2? Isn't the power of 1/square root x = -1/2?
 

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