How do you find the gradient of a line at a certain point when f(x) is in the form of a fraction, where both the numerator and denominator are functions of x?

Take the example f(x)=(2x^2+1)/(3x+5) , where we're finding the gradient at x=0. First, you need to differentiate f(x) to get f'(x). Because f(x) is a fraction where both the numerator and denominator are functions of x, we use the quotient rule. This gives us f'(x)=((3x+5)(4x)-(2x^2+1)(3))/(3x+5)^2 Now, we plug in the value of x, since f'(x) gives us the gradient. So f'(0)=((30+5)(40)-(20^2+1)(3))/(30+5)^2 f'(0)=-3/25 This means the gradient of f(x) at x=0 is -3/25

PE
Answered by Phoebe E. Maths tutor

6219 Views

See similar Maths A Level tutors

Related Maths A Level answers

All answers ▸

How do I identify that the coordinate (2,3) is the maximum point of the curve f(x)?


Find the stationary points of y = (x-7)(x-3)^2.


Use logarithms to solve the equation 2^5x = 3^2x+1 , giving the answer correct to 3 significant figures.


A hollow sphere of radius r is being filled with water. The surface area of a hemisphere is 3pi*r^2. Question: When the water is at height r, and filling at a rate of 4cm^3s^-1, what is dS/dT?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning