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Stewart Calcch 3 S 32 e 53

The document presents a mathematical exercise on finding the number of tangent lines to the curve y = x/(x + 1) that pass through the point (1, 2). It details the process of deriving the equations for the tangent lines and solving for their intersection points with the curve. Ultimately, it concludes that there are two tangent lines that touch the curve at specific points.

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16 views1 page

Stewart Calcch 3 S 32 e 53

The document presents a mathematical exercise on finding the number of tangent lines to the curve y = x/(x + 1) that pass through the point (1, 2). It details the process of deriving the equations for the tangent lines and solving for their intersection points with the curve. Ultimately, it concludes that there are two tangent lines that touch the curve at specific points.

Uploaded by

edusphereclasses
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Stewart Calculus 8e: Section 3.

2 - Exercise 53 Page 1 of 1

Exercise 53
How many tangent lines to the curve y = x/(x + 1) pass through the point (1, 2)? At which
points do these tangent lines touch the curve?

Solution

The equation of any line that goes through (1, 2) is

y − 2 = m(x − 1) → y = mx + 2 − m,

where m is the slope. For this line to be tangent to the given curve, the two functions
representing them must be equal at some value of x.
x
= mx + 2 − m (1)
x+1
In addition, their slopes must be equal at this value of x.
1
=m (2)
(x + 1)2
Equations (1) and (2) can be solved for the unknowns, m and x. Substitute the formula for m
into equation (1).
x 1 1
= x+2−
x+1 (x + 1)2 (x + 1)2
Multiply both sides by (x + 1)2 .

x(x + 1) = x + 2(x + 1)2 − 1

Expand both sides.


x2 + x = x + 2x2 + 4x + 2 − 1
Bring all terms to one side.
x2 + 4x + 1 = 0
Solve for x.
√
p
−4 ± 16 − 4(1)(1)
x= = −2 ± 3
2(1)
Again, these values of x are where tangent lines (that go through (1, 2)) intersect the given curve.
Plug them into the given function.
√ √ √ √ √
√ −2 + 3 −2 + 3 −1 − 3 −1 + 3 1− 3
y(−2 + 3) = √ = √ · √ = =
−2 + 3 + 1 −1 + 3 −1 − 3 −2 2
√ √ √ √ √
√ −2 − 3 −2 − 3 −1 + 3 −1 − 3 1+ 3
y(−2 − 3) = √ = √ · √ = =
−2 − 3 + 1 −1 − 3 −1 + 3 −2 2
Therefore, the points that the (two) tangent lines touch the curve are
√ ! √ !
√ 1− 3 √ 1+ 3
−2 + 3, and −2 − 3, .
2 2

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