Question
Find the equation of the normal line,
at the same point.
Ask by Parry Donnelly. in Malaysia
Mar 24,2025
Upstudy AI Solution
Tutor-Verified Answer
Answer
The equation of the normal line at point
is
.
Solution
Suppose we have a curve given by a differentiable function
and a point on the curve
. The tangent line at that point has slope
Because the normal line is perpendicular to the tangent line, its slope
is the negative reciprocal of
:
To write the equation of the normal line in point-slope form, we use the point
:
If you prefer the slope-intercept form
, we solve for
by rearranging the equation:
Thus, the equation of the normal line at
is
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Bonus Knowledge
To find the equation of the normal line at a certain point on a curve, we start with the slope of the tangent line at that point. If we denote
as the slope of the tangent line, then the slope of the normal line,
, is the negative reciprocal of that:
. Once you have the slope
and the coordinates of the point on the curve
, you can use the point-slope form of a line to find the equation of the normal line:
. Rearranging this will give you the equation in the form
.
In essence, understanding the relationship between tangent and normal lines helps appreciate the nuances of calculus and geometry. It showcases how these concepts govern motion and change across various fields, from physics to engineering. Normal lines also play an important role in optimization problems, where finding the shortest distance between points is key, making it a fundamental aspect of mathematical analysis.