how do you find the equation of a tangent line to
f(x) = x^3 − 3x^2 + 2x − 2
at
x = 2.

Question

how do you find the equation of a tangent line to
f(x) = x^3 − 3x^2 + 2x − 2
 at 
x = 2.

anonymous · Answer

Do you know how to do basic calculus?

anonymous · Answer

does this mean find the derivative

anonymous · Answer

That is part of it yes. Remember that the derivative is basically the slope of f. So when you find the derivative you got your formula for the slope of f and plug 2 in to get the value of the slope at that point

anonymous · Answer

plug 2 into the f1(x) or into f(x) ?

anonymous · Answer

This is basically what you want to do first

$$f(x) =  x^3 - 3x^2  + 2x -2$$

$$f'(2) = ?$$

imstuck · Answer

Can you find the derivative of the function?

anonymous · Answer

12

imstuck · Answer

no

anonymous · Answer

the derivative of the power function is

$$n x^{n-1}$$

anonymous · Answer

im saying f1(2) is 12 no?

anonymous · Answer

nope it is not what did you get as your derivative formula?

anonymous · Answer

without plugging the 2 in

ashley1nonly · Answer

go the long way and use the equation f(x+h)-f(x) all divided by h to find derivative if shes not good in calc

anonymous · Answer

the difference quotient would work yes but it is easy enough to teach the power rule to someone not involved in calculus

ashley1nonly · Answer

but i was always taught to learn the hard way to appreciate the short way but understood

anonymous · Answer

true. it is up to her though

ashley1nonly · Answer

pick a way.. his way is easier