What is the equation of the normal line of f(x)=(x+e^(1/x))^(3/2)-x at x = 4?

1 Answer
Jan 1, 2017

y=-0.4603 x+9.9886. See the normal-inclusive Socratic graph.

Explanation:

f(4)=8.1454), nearly. The point is P(4, 8.1464).

f'= 3/2(1-1/x^2e^(1/x))/sqrt(x+e^(1/x)) -1=2.17134, nearly, at P.

The slope of the normal at P = -1/(f'(4))=-.4604, nearly.

So, the equation to the normal at p(4, 8.1464) is

y-8.1464=-.4603(x-4), giving

y=-0.4603 x+9.9886

graph{(y+.46x-9.99)(y+x-(x+e^(1/x))^1.5)=0 [-36.5, 27.1, -10.88, 20.95]}