What is the equation of the normal line

Vanessa Mccarty

Vanessa Mccarty

Answered question

2022-04-10

What is the equation of the normal line of f(x)=2x3x23x+9 at x=-1?

Answer & Explanation

ze2m1ingkdvu

ze2m1ingkdvu

Beginner2022-04-11Added 16 answers

f(x)=2(1)3(1)23(1)+9
f(x)=-2-1+3+9
f(x)=9
Therefore, the tangent passes through (-1, 9).
Now that we know this, we must differentiate the function.
By the power rule:
f(x)=6x22x3
The slope of the tangent is given by evaluating f(a) inside the derivative, a being
x=a.
f(1)=6(1)22(1)3
f'(-1)=6+2-3
f'(-1)=5
The slope of the tangent is 5. The normal is always perpendicular to the tangent, so the slope will be the negative reciprocal of that of the tangent.
This means the slope of the normal line is 15. By point slope form, we can find the equation of the normal line:
yy1=m(xx1)
y9=15(x(1))
y9=15x15
y=15x15+9
y=15x+445
The equation of the normal line is y=15x+445.

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