Differentiation 5

Application of
Differentiation – Gradient
of a Curve

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Differentiation
Tangent and Normal
If A(x1, y1) is a point on a line y = f(x), the gradient of the line
(for a straight line) or the gradient of the tangent of the line (for
dy
a curve) is the value of when x = x1.
dx
Gradient of tangent at A(x1, y1):

dy
= gradient of tangent
dx

Equation of tangent: y=
− y1 mtangent ( x − x1 )

Gradient of normal at A(x1, y1):

1
mnormal = −
mtangent
1
= gradient of normal
− dy
dx
Equation of normal : y=
− y1 mnormal ( x − x1 )

Example 1 (Find the equation of tangent ) Example 2 (Find the equation of normal)
4 7
Given that y = . Find the equation of the Find the gradient of the curve y = at the
(3x − 1)2 3x + 4
tangent at the point (1,1). point (-1, 7). Hence, find the equation of the
normal to the curve at this point.
[clone SPM 1998]

[Ans : y=-3x+4] [Ans : 21y –x –148 =0]

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Differentiation
Example 3 (Find the coordinates given gradient Example 4 (Combination of tangent and another
of normal) straight line)
Find the coordinates of the point on the curve, A curve has a gradient function of kx2 – 7x, where
y=(4x – 5)2 such that the gradient of the normal k is a constant. The tangent to the curve at the
1 point (1, 4) is parallel to the straight line y + 2x -1
to the curve is .
8 =0. Find the value of k.
[Clone SPM 2006 P1] [clone SPM 2005 ]

[Ans : (1,1)] [ Ans : k=5]

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Differentiation
Example 5 (Combination of normal and another
straight line)
The normal to the curve y=x2 + 3x at the point P is
parallel to the straight line y = -x + 12 Find the
equation of the normal to the curve at the point
P.
[Clone SPM 2008 P1]
Example 6 (Combination of normal and another
straight line)
The straight line 4y + x = h is the normal to the
curve y=(2x-5)2-2 at the point A. Find
(a) the coordinates of point A and the value of h,
(b) the equation of tangent at point A.
[clone SPM 2000]

[Ans : y=-x-3]
[Ans : (a) A(3,-1) , h=-1 ; (b) y=4x-13]

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Differentiation
Example 7 Example 8 (Tangent perpendicular to another
straight line)
The tangent to the curve y=2x2+px+q at the point
(1, 4) is perpendicular to straight line 7y+x-14=0.
Find the values of p and q.

In the diagram, the straight line PR is normal to

x2
the curve =y + 1 at Q. Find the value of k.
2
[clone SPM 2005 P2]

[Ans : k=8] [Ans : p=3, q=-1]

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