Find the slope of a line tangent to the given curve at the point P by finding the limit of the slopes of the secant lines PQ as Q approaches P.

y = 5 - 5; P is ( 3, 40); let Q have x-values of 2.5, 2.9, 2.99, 2.999

Question

Find the slope of a line tangent to the given curve at the point P by finding the limit of the slopes of the secant lines PQ as Q approaches P. 
 
y =  5  -  5; P is ( 3,  40); let Q have x-values of  2.5,  2.9,  2.99,  2.999

anonymous · Answer

Sorry, y = 5-5? Did you mean 5x-5?

anonymous · Answer

Oh, sorry! y= 5x^2 - 5

anonymous · Answer

Okay so the line PQ as Q approaches P becomes infinitely small.
Essentially you plug in each of those Q values into the derivative y' and look at the value it approaches.

anonymous · Answer

thanks!