Finding the line tangent to a curve

In summary, the equation for the line tangent to the curve at the point defined by t = pi/4 is y = -1x + 2 sqrt(2). The slope is determined to be -1 and the y-intercept is found to be 2 sqrt(2). This differs from the given answer in the book, which does not work for the given point.
  • #1
randomjibberi
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Homework Statement


Find an equation for the line tangent to the curve at the point defined by the given value of t.
x = 2 cos t
y = 2 sin t
t = pi/4

Homework Equations


sin (pi/4) = sqrt(2)/2
cos (pi/4) = sqrt(2)/2

The Attempt at a Solution



Determining the slope:
[dy/dt]/[dx/dt] = [2 cos t]/[-2 sin t]
= [2 cos (pi/4)]/[-2 sin (pi/4)]
= [2 (sqrt(2)/2)]/[-2 (sqrt(2)/2)]
= [sqrt(2)]/[-sqrt(2)]
= -1
slope = -1

Finding the line:
y = mx+b
m = -1
2 sin t = -1(2 cos t)+ b
2 sin t = -2 cos t + b
2 sin (pi/4) = -2 cos(pi/4) + b
2 [sqrt(2)/2] = -2 [sqrt(2)/2] + b
sqrt(2) = -sqrt(2) + b
b = 2 sqrt(2)

y = -1x + 2 sqrt(2)

The answer the book has says [y = -x + 2]. I'm not sure what I did wrong with the problem.
 
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  • #2
The book is certainly wrong. y=(-x)+2 doesn't work at all.
 
  • #3
For one thing, [itex]\sqrt{2}\ne -\sqrt{2}+ 2[/itex] so that line does not even pass through the point [itex](\sqrt{2},\sqrt{2})[/itex].
 

FAQ: Finding the line tangent to a curve

What is a tangent line?

A tangent line is a straight line that touches a curve at only one point, known as the point of tangency. It represents the instantaneous rate of change of the curve at that point.

Why is finding the tangent line important?

Finding the tangent line allows us to determine the slope of a curve at a specific point, which can provide valuable information about the behavior of the curve. It is also used in many real-world applications, such as in physics and engineering, to analyze the motion of objects along a curved path.

How do you find the tangent line to a curve?

To find the tangent line to a curve at a given point, we first need to calculate the derivative of the curve at that point. The derivative represents the slope of the curve at that point, which is the same as the slope of the tangent line. Then, we use the point of tangency and the slope of the tangent line to write the equation of the line in slope-intercept form (y = mx + b).

Can a curve have multiple tangent lines?

Yes, a curve can have multiple tangent lines at different points. This is because the slope of a curve can change at different points, resulting in different tangent lines. However, a curve can only have one tangent line at a specific point.

What is the difference between a secant line and a tangent line?

A secant line is a straight line that intersects a curve at two points, while a tangent line only touches the curve at one point. The secant line represents the average rate of change of the curve over a given interval, while the tangent line represents the instantaneous rate of change at a specific point.

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