Question

Find the secant line through 1^x at x=1/6 and x=1/3.

Answer 1

any ideas?

Answer 2

@hartnn

Answer 3

u have any formulas for this?

Answer 4

no

Answer 5

then let me search through net....

Answer 6

1^x isn't 1 ??
can u post the pic of question or verify it just once?

Answer 7

a secant line is one that passes thru a curve at 2 points

Answer 8

instead of finding the equation of the tangent line at point "c"; you are just finding the equation of the line that passes thru the 2 points

Answer 9

which 2 points 2 use?
(1/6,0) and (1/3,0) ??

Answer 10

the ones given yes;

Answer 11

1/6, 1^(1/6)
and
1/3,1^(1/3)

Answer 12

http://www.mhhe.com/math/calc/smithminton2e/cd/folder_structure/text/chap02/section01.htm

Answer 13

@amistre, isnt the function f(x) = 1^x just a line?

Answer 14

@amistre64

Answer 15

how can a secant line intercept a straight line at 2 different points?

Answer 16

that was the sole reason i asked u to verify the question....

Answer 17

sorry i was gone, but that is the exact question

Answer 18

u are right, y=1^x is same as line y=1
even with amistre's method, u will finally get equation of secant line as y=1 .....

Answer 19

yeah, doesnt make sense

Answer 20

you have to ignore the geometric intepretation and just go with it as a line between 2 points.

if we try to go by the geometric interpretation of a tangent for say: y=2x+1, we get y'= 2

Answer 21

how do you determine the tangent to a line at a given point?

Answer 22

the derivative

Answer 23

but by using the same "illogic" of a geometric definition. You cant have a tangent to a line anymore than you can have a secant to a line.

Answer 24

okay, so the question is a trick?

Answer 25

its a play on words if anything. You have to take it into the abstract; a secant is a line between 2 specified points

Answer 26

okay, thanks for the help/clarification

Answer 27

yw