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Derivatives and tangent lines a. For the following functions and values of \(a,\) find \(f^{\prime}(a)\) b. Determine an equation of the line tangent to the graph of \(f\) at the point \((a, f(a))\) for the given value of \(a\) $$f(x)=\frac{1}{\sqrt{x}} ; a=\frac{1}{4}$$

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: The equation of the tangent line to the graph of the function at the given point is $$y = -2x + \frac{5}{2}$$.

Step by step solution

01

Find the derivative of the function

To find the derivative of $$f(x)=\frac{1}{\sqrt{x}}$$, we can rewrite the function as $$f(x)=x^{-\frac{1}{2}}$$. Now, using the power rule, the derivative is given by: $$f^{\prime}(x)=-\frac{1}{2}x^{-\frac{3}{2}}$$
02

Compute the derivative at the given point

We are given the value of $$a=\frac{1}{4}$$ and asked to find $$f^{\prime}(a)$$. Using the derivative found in step 1, we have: $$f^{\prime}\left(\frac{1}{4}\right)=-\frac{1}{2}\left(\frac{1}{4}\right)^{-\frac{3}{2}}$$ Calculating the derivative at the given point, we get: $$f^{\prime}\left(\frac{1}{4}\right)=-2$$
03

Find the coordinates of the given point

We need to find the point $$(a, f(a))$$ on the graph of the function. Since we are given the value of $$a=\frac{1}{4}$$, we can plug it in the original function to get: $$f\left(\frac{1}{4}\right)=\frac{1}{\sqrt{\frac{1}{4}}}$$ Calculating, we get: $$f\left(\frac{1}{4}\right)=2$$ So, the point is $$\left(\frac{1}{4}, 2\right)$$.
04

Determine the equation of the tangent line

Using the point-slope form of a linear equation, and the slope of the tangent line being $$m=-2$$ as found in step 2, we can find the equation of the tangent line: $$y - f(a) = f^{\prime}(a) (x - a)$$ Plugging in the values we found earlier, we get: $$y - 2 = -2\left(x - \frac{1}{4}\right)$$ Now, simplify and rewrite it in the slope-intercept form: $$y = -2x + 2\left(\frac{1}{4}\right) + 2$$ $$y = -2x + \frac{5}{2}$$ So, the equation of the tangent line to the graph of the function at the given point is $$y = -2x + \frac{5}{2}$$.

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