Math Problem Statement

Find the equation of the tangent line to the curve y = 3x cos(x) at the point (π, -3π).

Solution

The task in the image asks to find the equation of the tangent line to the curve y=3xcosxy = 3x \cos x at the point (π,3π)(\pi, -3\pi).

Steps to find the equation of the tangent line:

  1. Differentiate the function to find the slope of the tangent line:

    • The equation of the curve is y=3xcosxy = 3x \cos x.
    • Using the product rule for differentiation: ddx(3xcosx)=3ddx(xcosx)\frac{d}{dx}(3x \cos x) = 3 \frac{d}{dx}(x \cos x)
    • Applying the product rule on xcosxx \cos x: ddx(xcosx)=cosxxsinx\frac{d}{dx}(x \cos x) = \cos x - x \sin x
    • Therefore, the derivative is: y=3(cosxxsinx)y' = 3(\cos x - x \sin x)
    • This derivative gives the slope of the tangent line at any point xx.
  2. Evaluate the slope at x=πx = \pi:

    • Plug x=πx = \pi into the derivative: y(π)=3(cosππsinπ)y'(\pi) = 3(\cos \pi - \pi \sin \pi)
    • Using cosπ=1\cos \pi = -1 and sinπ=0\sin \pi = 0: y(π)=3(10)=3y'(\pi) = 3(-1 - 0) = -3
    • So, the slope of the tangent line at (π,3π)(\pi, -3\pi) is m=3m = -3.
  3. Find the equation of the tangent line:

    • The equation of a line is yy1=m(xx1)y - y_1 = m(x - x_1).
    • Here, m=3m = -3, x1=πx_1 = \pi, and y1=3πy_1 = -3\pi.
    • Substituting these values into the point-slope form: y(3π)=3(xπ)y - (-3\pi) = -3(x - \pi) y+3π=3x+3πy + 3\pi = -3x + 3\pi y=3x+6πy = -3x + 6\pi

So, the equation of the tangent line is y=3x+6πy = -3x + 6\pi, which matches the equation you provided.

Would you like further details or have any questions?

Here are some related questions:

  1. What is the product rule and how is it applied?
  2. Can we use this approach for finding the tangent to any curve?
  3. How do you find the normal line to a curve at a given point?
  4. Why do we need the derivative to find the slope of a tangent line?
  5. What does the derivative y(π)=3y'(\pi) = -3 represent geometrically?

Tip: When differentiating products like xcosxx \cos x, always remember to apply the product rule: (uv)=uv+uv(uv)' = u'v + uv'.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Calculus
Differentiation
Tangent Line

Formulas

y = 3x cos(x)
Derivative of y = 3(cos(x) - x sin(x))
Point-slope form of a line: y - y1 = m(x - x1)

Theorems

Product Rule for Differentiation

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 11-12, College