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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 \(a\) $$f(x)=\frac{1}{x^{2}} ; a=1$$

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: The equation of the tangent line to the curve \(f(x) = \frac{1}{x^2}\) at the point \((1, 1)\) is \(y = -2x + 3\).

Step by step solution

01

Find the first derivative of the function.

To find the first derivative of the function \(f(x) = \frac{1}{x^2} = x^{-2}\), we will apply the power rule (\(\frac{d}{dx}(x^n) = nx^{n-1}\)). $$f^{\prime}(x) = -2x^{-2 - 1} = -2x^{-3} = \frac{-2}{x^3}$$
02

Evaluate the first derivative at the given value of \(a\).

Now that we have the first derivative, we can evaluate it at the given value of \(a=1\) to find the slope of the tangent line at that point. $$f^{\prime}(1) = \frac{-2}{1^3} = -2$$ So the slope of the tangent line to the curve at \(a=1\) is \(-2\).
03

Find the function value at the given point.

Next, we need to find the value of \(f(a)\), i.e., \(f(1)\). $$f(1) = \frac{1}{1^2} = 1$$ Thus, the point on the curve where the tangent line touches is \((1, 1)\).
04

Determine the equation of the tangent line using point-slope form.

Now we have the point \((1,1)\) and the slope \(-2\). Using the point-slope form of a straight line, which is given by \(y - y_1 = m(x - x_1)\) where \((x_1, y_1)\) is the point and \(m\) is the slope, we can find the equation of the tangent line. After substituting values, we get: $$y - 1 = -2(x - 1)$$ Simplify the equation to get the final answer: $$y = -2x + 3$$ Therefore, the equation of the tangent line to the curve \(f(x) = \frac{1}{x^2}\) at the point \((1, 1)\) is \(y = -2x + 3\).

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