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On the lemniscate, where can a point be found where the tangent is horizontal?

A) At the intersection of the axes
B) At the points where the lemniscate crosses itself
C) At the foci of the lemniscate
D) At the midpoint of the lemniscate's major axis

User BernatC
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Final answer:

On a lemniscate, a point where the tangent is horizontal can typically be found at the midpoint of the lemniscate's major axis. Hence, the correct answer is D) At the midpoint of the lemniscate's major axis.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question pertains to the characteristics of a lemniscate, which is a geometric figure that resembles a figure-eight or an infinity symbol. Specifically, the question asks where on the lemniscate we can find a point where the tangent to the curve is horizontal. To locate such points, one would look for places on the curve where there is no vertical change as you move along the curve – that is, where the derivative of the curve with respect to the horizontal axis is zero.

Option A indicates the intersection of the axes, which may or may not be the points of horizontal tangency depending on the specific equation of the lemniscate. Option B, the point where the lemniscate crosses itself, is incorrect because this point typically has two distinct tangents, neither of which is horizontal. Option C, the foci of the lemniscate, is also incorrect because the tangents at these points are usually not defined. That leaves us with Option D, the midpoint of the lemniscate's major axis, which for a classic lemniscate (Bernoulli's lemniscate) is often the correct answer. This is because the slope of the tangent line at this point is zero, and the tangent is indeed horizontal.

In conclusion, a point on a lemniscate where the tangent is horizontal is most likely to be at the midpoint of the lemniscate's major axis. However, it is important to note that the exact location of these points can differ based on the specific form of the lemniscate being considered.

User Teodora
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