- 0. Functions7h 52m
- Introduction to Functions16m
- Piecewise Functions10m
- Properties of Functions9m
- Common Functions1h 8m
- Transformations5m
- Combining Functions27m
- Exponent rules32m
- Exponential Functions28m
- Logarithmic Functions24m
- Properties of Logarithms34m
- Exponential & Logarithmic Equations35m
- Introduction to Trigonometric Functions38m
- Graphs of Trigonometric Functions44m
- Trigonometric Identities47m
- Inverse Trigonometric Functions48m
- 1. Limits and Continuity2h 2m
- 2. Intro to Derivatives1h 33m
- 3. Techniques of Differentiation3h 18m
- 4. Applications of Derivatives2h 38m
- 5. Graphical Applications of Derivatives6h 2m
- 6. Derivatives of Inverse, Exponential, & Logarithmic Functions2h 37m
- 7. Antiderivatives & Indefinite Integrals1h 26m
- 8. Definite Integrals3h 25m
2. Intro to Derivatives
Tangent Lines and Derivatives
Problem 3.72
Textbook Question
Are there any points on the curve y = x - 1/(2x) where the slope is 2? If so, find them.

1
To find points on the curve where the slope is 2, we need to first determine the derivative of the function y = x - \frac{1}{2x}. The derivative, y', represents the slope of the tangent line at any point on the curve.
Differentiate the function y = x - \frac{1}{2x} with respect to x. The derivative of x is 1, and the derivative of -\frac{1}{2x} can be found using the power rule. Rewrite -\frac{1}{2x} as -\frac{1}{2}x^{-1} and differentiate to get \frac{1}{2}x^{-2}.
Combine the derivatives: y' = 1 + \frac{1}{2}x^{-2}. Simplify this to y' = 1 + \frac{1}{2x^2}.
Set the derivative equal to 2, since we are looking for points where the slope is 2: 1 + \frac{1}{2x^2} = 2.
Solve the equation 1 + \frac{1}{2x^2} = 2 for x. Subtract 1 from both sides to get \frac{1}{2x^2} = 1. Multiply both sides by 2x^2 to isolate x^2, resulting in 1 = 2x^2. Solve for x by dividing both sides by 2 and taking the square root, giving x = \pm\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}. Substitute these x-values back into the original equation y = x - \frac{1}{2x} to find the corresponding y-values.
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