12. Find the equation of the tangent line to f (x) = x³ at the point P(1,1).

Calculus: Early Transcendentals
8th Edition
ISBN:9781285741550
Author:James Stewart
Publisher:James Stewart
Chapter1: Functions And Models
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1RCC: (a) What is a function? What are its domain and range? (b) What is the graph of a function? (c) How...
Question

DERIVATIVES

**12. Find the equation of the tangent line to \( f(x) = x^3 \) at the point \( P(1, 1) \).**

To find the equation of the tangent line at a given point on a curve, we need to determine the slope of the tangent line and use the point-slope form of a line equation. 

**Steps to solve:**

1. **Find the Derivative of the Function:**  
   The derivative \( f'(x) \) of \( f(x) = x^3 \) gives the slope of the tangent to the curve at any point \( x \).
   \[
   f'(x) = 3x^2
   \]

2. **Calculate the Slope at the Specific Point:**  
   Substitute \( x = 1 \) into the derivative to find the slope of the tangent line at \( P(1, 1) \).
   \[
   f'(1) = 3(1)^2 = 3
   \]

3. **Use the Point-Slope Form of a Line:**
   The point-slope form of the equation of a line is:
   \[
   y - y_1 = m(x - x_1)
   \]
   where \( m \) is the slope, and \( (x_1, y_1) \) is a point on the line. Using \( m = 3 \) and \( (x_1, y_1) = (1, 1) \):
   \[
   y - 1 = 3(x - 1)
   \]

4. **Simplify the Equation:**
   Expand and rearrange the equation to standard form:
   \[
   y - 1 = 3x - 3
   \]
   \[
   y = 3x - 2
   \]

Therefore, the equation of the tangent line to \( f(x) = x^3 \) at the point \( P(1, 1) \) is \( y = 3x - 2 \).
Transcribed Image Text:**12. Find the equation of the tangent line to \( f(x) = x^3 \) at the point \( P(1, 1) \).** To find the equation of the tangent line at a given point on a curve, we need to determine the slope of the tangent line and use the point-slope form of a line equation. **Steps to solve:** 1. **Find the Derivative of the Function:** The derivative \( f'(x) \) of \( f(x) = x^3 \) gives the slope of the tangent to the curve at any point \( x \). \[ f'(x) = 3x^2 \] 2. **Calculate the Slope at the Specific Point:** Substitute \( x = 1 \) into the derivative to find the slope of the tangent line at \( P(1, 1) \). \[ f'(1) = 3(1)^2 = 3 \] 3. **Use the Point-Slope Form of a Line:** The point-slope form of the equation of a line is: \[ y - y_1 = m(x - x_1) \] where \( m \) is the slope, and \( (x_1, y_1) \) is a point on the line. Using \( m = 3 \) and \( (x_1, y_1) = (1, 1) \): \[ y - 1 = 3(x - 1) \] 4. **Simplify the Equation:** Expand and rearrange the equation to standard form: \[ y - 1 = 3x - 3 \] \[ y = 3x - 2 \] Therefore, the equation of the tangent line to \( f(x) = x^3 \) at the point \( P(1, 1) \) is \( y = 3x - 2 \).
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