Finding Gradients
How do I find the gradient of a curve at a point?
- The gradient of a curve at a point is the gradient of the tangent to the curve at that point
- Find the gradient by substituting the value of at that point into the derivative of the curve
- For example, if
- then
- the gradient of when is
- the gradient of when is
- Your exam calculator cannot find a derivative function in terms of
- But it may be able to find the numerical value of a derivative at a point
- You can use this to check your work
Worked example
A function is defined by .
(a)
Find .
This is a 'powers of ' derivative
(b)
Show that the curve goes through the point , and find the gradient of the tangent to the curve at that point.
Substitute into
so the curve goes through
Now substitute into to find the gradient
gradient