Question

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

Answer 1

slope = - 1

Explanation:

The slope of the curve m is measured by

m =
`(dy)/(dx)` at x = a

Differentiate using the power rule

`(d)/(dx)` (a
`x^(n)` ) = na
`x^(n-1)`

Given

y = - 3x - x², then

`(dy)/(dx)` = - 3 - 2x

x = - 1 →
`(dy)/(dx)` = - 3 - 2(- 1) = - 3 + 2 = - 1 ← slope at (- 1, 2 )