What is the equation of the line normal to f(x)=7x ^3+9x^2 at x=-2?

1 Answer
Jul 1, 2016

See explanation

Explanation:

Gradient of the given equation is it differential

Thus f^'(x)= 21x^2+18x

=>f^'(-2)=21(-2)^2+18(-2) = +48

So the gradient of the line normal to it at this point is:

y=-1/48x+c......................................(1)
'~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Let the point on the original curve be P_1->(x_1,y_1)=(-2,y)

f(-2)=y_1=7(-2)^3+9(-2)^2=-20

=>P_1->(x_1,y_1)=(-2,-20)

Substitute these values into equation (1) to find c

I will let you do that!