Math Problem Statement

Find an equation of the tangent to the curve at the given point.

x = t2 − 4t,      y = t2 + 4t + 1;      (0, 33)

Solution

To determine the equation of the tangent line to the curve defined parametrically by:
x=t24tandy=t2+4t+1x = t^2 - 4t \quad \text{and} \quad y = t^2 + 4t + 1
at the given point (0,33)(0, 33), we proceed as follows:


Step 1: Find the parameter tt at the given point (0,33)(0, 33)

The xx-coordinate is given as 00, so we solve for tt using:
x=t24t=0x = t^2 - 4t = 0
Factorizing:
t(t4)=0    t=0ort=4t(t - 4) = 0 \implies t = 0 \, \text{or} \, t = 4
Now check which value of tt corresponds to y=33y = 33:

  • For t=0t = 0:
    y=t2+4t+1=02+4(0)+1=1(not 33).y = t^2 + 4t + 1 = 0^2 + 4(0) + 1 = 1 \quad (\text{not 33}).

  • For t=4t = 4:
    y=t2+4t+1=42+4(4)+1=16+16+1=33.y = t^2 + 4t + 1 = 4^2 + 4(4) + 1 = 16 + 16 + 1 = 33.
    Thus, t=4t = 4 corresponds to the point (0,33)(0, 33).


Step 2: Differentiate xx and yy with respect to tt

To find the slope of the tangent line, we compute dy/dxdy/dx using the chain rule:
dydx=dydtdxdt\frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{\frac{dy}{dt}}{\frac{dx}{dt}}
We first compute dxdt\frac{dx}{dt} and dydt\frac{dy}{dt}:

  • From x=t24tx = t^2 - 4t:
    dxdt=2t4\frac{dx}{dt} = 2t - 4

  • From y=t2+4t+1y = t^2 + 4t + 1:
    dydt=2t+4\frac{dy}{dt} = 2t + 4

Thus, the slope of the tangent line is:
dydx=dydtdxdt=2t+42t4.\frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{\frac{dy}{dt}}{\frac{dx}{dt}} = \frac{2t + 4}{2t - 4}.


Step 3: Compute the slope at t=4t = 4

Substitute t=4t = 4 into dydx\frac{dy}{dx}:
dydx=2(4)+42(4)4=8+484=124=3.\frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{2(4) + 4}{2(4) - 4} = \frac{8 + 4}{8 - 4} = \frac{12}{4} = 3.
Thus, the slope of the tangent line at t=4t = 4 is 33.


Step 4: Find the equation of the tangent line

The tangent line passes through the point (0,33)(0, 33) and has a slope of 33. Using the point-slope form of a line:
yy1=m(xx1),y - y_1 = m(x - x_1),
where m=3m = 3, x1=0x_1 = 0, and y1=33y_1 = 33:
y33=3(x0).y - 33 = 3(x - 0).
Simplify:
y=3x+33.y = 3x + 33.


Final Answer:

The equation of the tangent line is:
y=3x+33.y = 3x + 33.


Do you want more details, or have any other questions?

Related Questions:

  1. How do you find the slope of a tangent line for parametric curves?
  2. What is the chain rule and how is it applied to parametric equations?
  3. How do you check which tt-value corresponds to a given point on a curve?
  4. Can you find the normal line to the curve at the same point?
  5. How would you sketch the curve and the tangent line on a graph?

Tip:

Always verify which parameter value (tt) corresponds to the given point before proceeding with derivatives.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Parametric Equations
Tangent Line
Differentiation
Chain Rule

Formulas

dy/dx = (dy/dt) / (dx/dt)
Point-slope form of a line: y - y1 = m(x - x1)

Theorems

Chain Rule
Tangent Line Formula

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 11-12