Question

Find the slope of the curve f(x)=(x^2)-3 at P(2,1)

Answer 1

We solve this problem by taking the derivative of x² -3 which is
2x
at point P, x = 2 and so the slope is 2 • 2 or
4

Answer 2

\[f(x)=x^2-3\]\[f'(x)=2x=m\]
At the point (2,1):
\[f'(2)=2(2)=4=m\]Therefore the slope of f(x) at (2,1) is 4.