Derivatives and tangent lines
b. Determine an equation of the line tangent to the graph of f at the point (a,f(a)) for the given value of a.
f(x) = 1/ √x; a= 1/4

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Find the derivative of the function f(x) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{x}}. Rewrite the function as f(x) = x^{-1/2} to make differentiation easier.
2. Step 2: Use the power rule for differentiation, which states that \frac{d}{dx}[x^n] = nx^{n-1}, to find f'(x). For f(x) = x^{-1/2}, the derivative f'(x) = -\frac{1}{2}x^{-3/2}.
3. Step 3: Evaluate the derivative at the given point a = \frac{1}{4}. Substitute x = \frac{1}{4} into f'(x) to find the slope of the tangent line at this point.
4. Step 4: Calculate f(a) by substituting a = \frac{1}{4} into the original function f(x) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{x}}. This will give you the y-coordinate of the point of tangency.
5. Step 5: Use the point-slope form of a line, y - y_1 = m(x - x_1), where m is the slope found in Step 3 and (x_1, y_1) is the point (\frac{1}{4}, f(\frac{1}{4})), to write the equation of the tangent line.

Key Concepts

Derivatives

A derivative represents the rate of change of a function with respect to its variable. It is defined as the limit of the average rate of change of the function as the interval approaches zero. In practical terms, the derivative at a point gives the slope of the tangent line to the graph of the function at that point.

Tangent Line

A tangent line to a curve at a given point is a straight line that touches the curve at that point without crossing it. The slope of the tangent line is equal to the derivative of the function at that point. The equation of the tangent line can be expressed using the point-slope form, which incorporates the slope and the coordinates of the point of tangency.

Point-Slope Form

The point-slope form of a linear equation is given by y - y₁ = m(x - x₁), where (x₁, y₁) is a point on the line and m is the slope. This form is particularly useful for writing the equation of a tangent line once the slope (derivative) and the point of tangency are known. It allows for a straightforward way to express the line based on its slope and a specific point.