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

6124 Views

See similar Maths A Level tutors

Related Maths A Level answers

All answers ▸

A line has equation y = 2x + c and a curve has equation y = 8 − 2x − x^2, if c=11 find area between the curves


The volume of liquid in a container is given by v=(3h^2+4)^(3/2)-8, find dV/dh when h = 0.6


How do I differentiate sin^2(x)?


What's the point of writing my mathematics well if I don't get extra marks for it?


We're here to help

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

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences