Work out the gradient of the tangent to the curve (y=x^2-x-2) at the point where x=2

y=x^2-x-2y=(x+1)(x-2)The gradient (dy/dx) measures the rate of the change in y with respect to x. So this can be used to help us find the gradient of a function at any point along it. The question asks the to find the gradient when x=2. So firstly we have to differentiate the curve.dy/dx=2x-1Then substitute the x value in: 2 (2) -1 = 3Therefore the gradient of the tangent is 3

OG
Answered by Oriane G. Maths tutor

4658 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

There are n sweets in a bag. 6 of them are orange, the rest are yellow. Hannah takes a random sweet, she eats the sweet and repeats again. The probability that hannah eats two orange sweets is 1/3. Show that n2 - n - 90 = 0.


Make x the subject of the following formula: 5(3x -2y) = 14 - 2ax


Simplify (k^3)^2


Three positive whole numbers have a mean of 6. What is the greatest possible range of the three numbers?


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:

© 2026 by IXL Learning