To find the equation of the tangent line to the curve y = √x at the point (36, 6), we will follow these steps:
- Calculate the derivative: The derivative of the function gives us the slope of the tangent line. The function is y = √x, which can also be written as y = x^(1/2).
- Using the power rule of differentiation, the derivative is:
- y’ = (1/2)x^(-1/2) = 1/(2√x)
- Evaluate the derivative at x = 36:
- y’|_(x=36) = 1/(2√36) = 1/(2*6) = 1/12
- So, the slope (m) of the tangent line at the point (36, 6) is 1/12.
- Use the point-slope form to find the equation of the tangent line: The point-slope form of a line is given by:
- y – y1 = m(x – x1)
- Here, (x1, y1) = (36, 6) and m = 1/12. Plugging these values into the point-slope form:
- y – 6 = (1/12)(x – 36)
- Simplifying:
- y – 6 = (1/12)x – 3
- y = (1/12)x + 3
- Final result: The equation of the tangent line to the curve y = √x at the point (36, 6) is:
- y = (1/12)x + 3