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Multiple Choice
Given the parametric equations and , find the equation of the tangent line to the curve at the point where .
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Verified step by step guidance
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Step 1: Recall that the slope of the tangent line to a parametric curve is given by the derivative dy/dx, which can be computed as (dy/dt) / (dx/dt). Start by finding dx/dt and dy/dt from the given parametric equations x = t^2 - 4 and y = t^2 - 2t.
Step 2: Differentiate x = t^2 - 4 with respect to t to find dx/dt. Similarly, differentiate y = t^2 - 2t with respect to t to find dy/dt. This gives dx/dt = 2t and dy/dt = 2t - 2.
Step 3: Compute dy/dx by dividing dy/dt by dx/dt. Substituting the expressions for dy/dt and dx/dt, we get dy/dx = (2t - 2) / (2t). Simplify this expression to find the slope of the tangent line in terms of t.
Step 4: Evaluate the slope of the tangent line at t = 3 by substituting t = 3 into the simplified expression for dy/dx. This gives the slope of the tangent line at the specified point.
Step 5: Find the coordinates of the point on the curve corresponding to t = 3 by substituting t = 3 into the parametric equations x = t^2 - 4 and y = t^2 - 2t. Use the point-slope form of the equation of a line, y - y1 = m(x - x1), where m is the slope and (x1, y1) is the point, to write the equation of the tangent line.