The curve C has equation
$$y = 9 - 4x - \frac{8}{x}, \; x > 0.$$
The point P on C has x-coordinate equal to 2 - Edexcel - A-Level Maths Pure - Question 2 - 2008 - Paper 1
Question 2
The curve C has equation
$$y = 9 - 4x - \frac{8}{x}, \; x > 0.$$
The point P on C has x-coordinate equal to 2.
(a) Show that the equation of the tangent to C a... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:The curve C has equation
$$y = 9 - 4x - \frac{8}{x}, \; x > 0.$$
The point P on C has x-coordinate equal to 2 - Edexcel - A-Level Maths Pure - Question 2 - 2008 - Paper 1
Step 1
Show that the equation of the tangent to C at the point P is $y = 1 - 2x$
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Answer
Find the derivative of the function:
To find the slope of the tangent, first compute the derivative of the curve: dxdy=−4+x28
Evaluate the derivative at the point P:
At x=2, we have: dxdy=−4+228=−4+2=−2.
Find the y-coordinate of point P:
Substitute x=2 into the equation of the curve: y=9−4(2)−28=9−8−4=−3.
Thus, point P is (2,−3).
Write the equation of the tangent line:
Using the point-slope form of the line: y−y1=m(x−x1)
where m=−2 and (x1,y1)=(2,−3), we get: y+3=−2(x−2).
Simplifying this yields: y=−2x+4−3=−2x+1,
or equivalently: y=1−2x.
Step 2
Find an equation of the normal to C at the point P.
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Answer
Determine the gradient of the normal line:
The gradient of the normal is the negative reciprocal of the tangent's gradient.
Given the tangent's gradient at P is −2, the gradient of the normal is: mnormal=−−21=21.
Use point-slope form to write the normal's equation:
Again, we apply the point-slope formula using point P (2,−3): y−(−3)=21(x−2).
Simplify the equation:
Rearranging gives us: y+3=21x−1,
or equivalently: y=21x−4.
Step 3
Find the area of triangle APB.
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Answer
Find the coordinates of points A and B:
The tangent intersects the x-axis at A when y=0: 0=1−2x⇒2x=1⇒x=0.5⇒A(0.5,0).
The normal intersects the x-axis at B when y=0: 0=21x−4⇒21x=4⇒x=8⇒B(8,0).
Calculate the area of triangle APB:
The base length AB is ∣0.5−8∣=7.5, and the height (from P to the x-axis) is ∣yP∣=3.
Thus, the area of triangle APB is: Area=21×base×height=21×7.5×3=11.25.