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Gradient of a Tangent Maths Help Request

Hello- I need help with a question. Quest.png
(edited 3 years ago)
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Avatar for mqb2766
mqb2766
21
Can you use the equation of the circle to get the y value of P?
Yeah so do as the user above said to find the coordinate of p,
then what do you notice about the gradient between O and P and the gradient of the tangent? (there’s a link between the two) :smile:
these are the steps you need to perform:

i) find the y value at P, as mqb said

ii) find the gradient of radius OP

iii) use ii) to find the gradient of PR

iv) find the equation of PR

v) use iv) to work out the x coordinate of R
Reply 4
Avatar for mqb2766
mqb2766
21
Once you've found P there is a simple way to find the required distance using similar triangles. In fact, you don't even need the y value of P.
Original post by username5422856
Hello- I need help with a question. Quest.png

You need to find the coordinates of p. Once you've done that you can find the gradient of the line OP. How could the gradient of OP help you work out the coordinates of R?

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