Calculus of a Single Variable, Chapter 3, 3.2, Section 3.2, Problem 47

(1) f(x)=x/(x+1) is a rational function. It has a vertical asymptote at x=-1, and a horizontal asymptote of y=1. On the interval [-1/2,2] the graph is increasing towards the limiting value of y=1.
f(-1/2)=-1 and f(2)=2/3
(2) The slope of the secant line through the endpoints of the interval is m=(2/3-(-1))/(2-(-1/2))=2/3 so the equation of the secant line is y=2/3x-2/3
(3) Since the function is continuous and differentiable on the interval the Mean Value theorem guarantees the existence of a c in the interval such that f'(c) is the slope of the secant line.
f'(x)=((x+1)(1)-(x)(1))/(x+1)^2=1/(x+1)^2
1/(x+1)^2=2/3 ==> x=sqrt(3/2)-1
The corresponding point on the graph is (sqrt(3/2)-1,1-sqrt(2/3))
So the tangent line parallel to the secant line is y-1+sqrt(2/3)=2/3(x-sqrt(3/2)+1)
The graph of the function, secant line, and tangent line:

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

In “Fahrenheit 451,” what does Faber mean by “Those who don’t build must burn. It’s as old as history and juvenile delinquents”?

Single Variable Calculus, Chapter 3, 3.6, Section 3.6, Problem 34

What was the effect of World War II on African Americans?