Find the equation of the line tangent to the graph of f(x) = 3 - 2x at x = 3. Provide your answer below:

College Algebra
1st Edition
ISBN:9781938168383
Author:Jay Abramson
Publisher:Jay Abramson
Chapter3: Functions
Section3.5: Transformation Of Functions
Problem 5SE: How can you determine whether a function is odd or even from the formula of the function?
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**Tangent Line to a Function**

*Problem Statement:*

Find the equation of the line tangent to the graph of \( f(x) = 3 - 2x \) at \( x = 3 \).

*Solution:*

To find the equation of the tangent line to the function \( f(x) = 3 - 2x \) at \( x = 3 \), follow these steps:

1. **Calculate the derivative \( f'(x) \):**

The derivative \( f'(x) \) represents the slope of the tangent line to the function at any point \( x \). For the function \( f(x) = 3 - 2x \):

\( f'(x) = -2 \)

This indicates that the slope of the tangent line at any point on the graph of \( f(x) \) is -2.

2. **Evaluate \( f(x) \) at \( x = 3 \):**

To find the y-coordinate of the point where the tangent line touches the graph, substitute \( x = 3 \) into the function \( f(x) \):

\( f(3) = 3 - 2(3) = 3 - 6 = -3 \)

So, the point on the graph where the tangent line touches is (3, -3).

3. **Use the point-slope form of the equation of a line:**

The point-slope form of the equation of a line is given by:

\[ y - y_1 = m(x - x_1) \]

where \( m \) is the slope and \( (x_1, y_1) \) is the point on the line.

Given \( m = -2 \) and the point (3, -3):

\[ y - (-3) = -2(x - 3) \]

Simplify the equation:

\[ y + 3 = -2(x - 3) \]
\[ y + 3 = -2x + 6 \]
\[ y = -2x + 6 - 3 \]
\[ y = -2x + 3 \]

Therefore, the equation of the tangent line is:

\[ y = -2x + 3 \]

*Answer:*

\( y = -2x + 3 \)
Transcribed Image Text:**Tangent Line to a Function** *Problem Statement:* Find the equation of the line tangent to the graph of \( f(x) = 3 - 2x \) at \( x = 3 \). *Solution:* To find the equation of the tangent line to the function \( f(x) = 3 - 2x \) at \( x = 3 \), follow these steps: 1. **Calculate the derivative \( f'(x) \):** The derivative \( f'(x) \) represents the slope of the tangent line to the function at any point \( x \). For the function \( f(x) = 3 - 2x \): \( f'(x) = -2 \) This indicates that the slope of the tangent line at any point on the graph of \( f(x) \) is -2. 2. **Evaluate \( f(x) \) at \( x = 3 \):** To find the y-coordinate of the point where the tangent line touches the graph, substitute \( x = 3 \) into the function \( f(x) \): \( f(3) = 3 - 2(3) = 3 - 6 = -3 \) So, the point on the graph where the tangent line touches is (3, -3). 3. **Use the point-slope form of the equation of a line:** The point-slope form of the equation of a line is given by: \[ y - y_1 = m(x - x_1) \] where \( m \) is the slope and \( (x_1, y_1) \) is the point on the line. Given \( m = -2 \) and the point (3, -3): \[ y - (-3) = -2(x - 3) \] Simplify the equation: \[ y + 3 = -2(x - 3) \] \[ y + 3 = -2x + 6 \] \[ y = -2x + 6 - 3 \] \[ y = -2x + 3 \] Therefore, the equation of the tangent line is: \[ y = -2x + 3 \] *Answer:* \( y = -2x + 3 \)
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