Math Problem Statement

Find the equation of the tangent line to the curve y = x^4 + 6e^x at the point (0, 6).

Solution

The problem asks to find the equation of the tangent line to the curve y=x4+6exy = x^4 + 6e^x at the point (0,6)(0, 6).

To find the equation of the tangent line, we follow these steps:

Step 1: Calculate the derivative dydx\frac{dy}{dx}.

The derivative of the function y=x4+6exy = x^4 + 6e^x gives us the slope of the tangent line. Using standard rules of differentiation:

dydx=ddx(x4)+ddx(6ex)\frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{d}{dx}(x^4) + \frac{d}{dx}(6e^x) dydx=4x3+6ex\frac{dy}{dx} = 4x^3 + 6e^x

Step 2: Evaluate the derivative at x=0x = 0.

To find the slope of the tangent line at the point (0,6)(0, 6), we substitute x=0x = 0 into the derivative:

dydxx=0=4(0)3+6e0=6\frac{dy}{dx}\bigg|_{x=0} = 4(0)^3 + 6e^0 = 6

So, the slope of the tangent line at x=0x = 0 is 6.

Step 3: Use the point-slope form of a line.

The point-slope form of the equation of a line is given by:

yy1=m(xx1)y - y_1 = m(x - x_1)

Where mm is the slope, and (x1,y1)(x_1, y_1) is the point of tangency. In this case, the slope m=6m = 6 and the point is (0,6)(0, 6).

Substitute these values into the equation:

y6=6(x0)y - 6 = 6(x - 0)

Simplifying:

y=6x+6y = 6x + 6

Thus, the equation of the tangent line is: y=6x+6y = 6x + 6

Would you like more details on any step or have further questions?

Here are 5 related questions to explore:

  1. How do you find the second derivative of y=x4+6exy = x^4 + 6e^x?
  2. What is the general method to find a tangent line for any given function at a point?
  3. How would you find the normal line to this curve at the same point?
  4. What is the geometric interpretation of the derivative at a specific point?
  5. Can we approximate y=x4+6exy = x^4 + 6e^x around x=0x = 0 using Taylor series?

Tip: Remember that the tangent line provides the best linear approximation of a curve at a specific point.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Calculus
Derivatives
Tangent Lines

Formulas

Derivative of x^4: 4x^3
Derivative of 6e^x: 6e^x
Point-slope form of a line: y - y1 = m(x - x1)

Theorems

Differentiation Rules
Point-Slope Equation

Suitable Grade Level

High School - Grades 11-12