What is the equation of the line tangent to # f(x)=5x^2-3x+2 # at # x=3#?

1 Answer
May 8, 2016

y = 27x -43

Explanation:

We can write the equation in slope-intercept form y = mx +c

where m represents the gradient and c , the y-intercept.

The value of f'(3) is equal to m and c may be found by evaluating f(3)

#f(x)=5x^2-3x+2#

#rArr f'(x)=10x-3#

and f'(3) = 10(3) - 3 = 27 = m (gradient of tangent)

Partial equation is therefore : y = 27x +c

now #f(3)=5(3)^2-3(3)+2=38#

hence (3 ,38) is a point on the tangent and substituting this into the partial equation will give us the value of c.

x = 3 , y = 38 : 38 = 81 + c → c = - 43

Thus the equation of tangent is #color(red)(|bar(ul(color(white)(a/a)color(black)(y=27x-43)color(white)(a/a)|)))#