A curve C has equation where .
- (a)
Find in terms of and .
- (b)
Find the coordinates of the point on at which the normal is parallel to the -axis.
- (c)
Determine the nature of the stationary point.
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Worked solution
3(a)
1. Differentiate the given equation implicitly with respect to $x$.
2. Group the $\frac{dy}{dx}$ terms and make it the subject.
3(b)
1. Establish the relationship between $x$ and $y$ using the condition for the normal.
From part (a), we have the derivative .
If the normal is parallel to the -axis (a vertical line), the tangent to the curve at that point must be perpendicular to it, meaning the tangent is parallel to the -axis (a horizontal line).
Therefore, the gradient of the tangent is zero:
2. Substitute the relationship into the curve's equation to solve for $x$.
Substitute into the equation of the curve :
Since it is given that , we know , allowing us to divide by :
3. Calculate the corresponding $y$-coordinate and state the final point.
Substitute back into :
The coordinates of the point are .
3(c)
1. Concisely retrieve the coordinates of the stationary point (required from part (b) to complete this target).
At the stationary point (where the normal is parallel to the -axis), the tangent is horizontal, so .
From part (a), . Setting this to gives .
Substituting into :
Since , .
Consequently, .
2. Find an expression for the second derivative $\frac{d^2y}{dx^2}$ at the stationary point.
Using the quotient rule on :
At the stationary point, we know and the numerator of the first derivative is . Substituting these directly:
3. Evaluate the second derivative to determine the nature of the stationary point.
Substitute and into the second derivative expression:
Since , the stationary point is a maximum.
Maximum
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