How do you find the equation of the tangent line to the curve y=(x^2)e^(x+2)y=(x2)ex+2 at x=2?

1 Answer
Jun 18, 2015

Find the slope of the tangent line using the derivative, find the yy value of the point where x=2x=2, and find the equation of the line.

Explanation:

y=(x^2)e^(x+2)y=(x2)ex+2

at x=2, we get y=4e^4y=4e4, So our line goes through the point: (2, 4e^4)(2,4e4)

To find the slope, find y'. To find y' use the product rule and the derivative of exponentials (and the chain rule).

y' = 2xe^(x+2) + x^2 e^(x+2) (1) -- I included the (1) to remind us of the chain rule.)

At x=2, m = y' |_2 = 4e^4+4e^3 = 8e^4

The line with m=8e^4 through (2, 4e^4) has equation(s):

y-4e^4 = 8e^4(x-2)

y-4e^4 = 8e^4x-16e^4

y = 8e^4x - 12 e^4