Find the unit vectors that are parallel to the tangent line to the parabola y=x^2 at the point (2, 4).

I got the slope of the tangent line which is 4 but how do you get the parallel vector? It says in the book that it is i+4j but I don't get how you get it..

Question

Find the unit vectors that are parallel to the tangent line to the parabola y=x^2 at the point (2, 4).

I got the slope of the tangent line which is 4 but how do you get the parallel vector? It says in the book that it is i+4j but I don't get how you get it..

anonymous · Answer

The parallel vector has the same slope which is up 4 and right 1.
i + 4j means 1 in the i direction (x) and 4 in the j direction (y).

anonymous · Answer

To get the unit vector, you have to divide it by its length.

he66666 · Answer

Oh I see. Thanks so much!

anonymous · Answer

y.w.