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Number 12 I’m not sure what to do

Number 12 I’m not sure what to do-example-1

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The curve in question is f(x) = e^x / x. To find the slope of the tangent line to this curve, we differentiate, using the quotient rule:

xe^x - e^x e^x(x-1)

f '(x) = ----------------- = --------------

x^2 x^2

at x=a=1, this slope is f '(1) = 0.

Find the value of the function at x = a =1: f(1) = e

Thus, the tangent line has slope 0 and passes thru (1,e). From this info we can readily surmise that the tangent line is horiz. and is given by y = e.

User Sangwin Gawande
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