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bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Gradient

This problem popped up in another thread and can be solved by standard methods.

For the curve  y=x^2+5x
a) find the gradient of the chord PQ where P is the point (2.14) and Q is the point (2+h,(2+h)^2+5(2+h))

Let's see what geogebra can do.

1) Draw the curve by entering f(x) = x^2 + 5x.

2) Enter the point (2,14). Call it P.

3) Create a slider called h. Range it from -5 to 5.

4) Create a new point ( 2+ h, h^2 + 9h +14 ). Call it Q.

5) Draw a line between P and Q. Get the slope m of that line using the slope tool.

6) Slide h back and forth and notice the value of m in the algebra pane.

7) Record those values like this:

8) Conjecture the obvious relationship of m = h + 9.

Your geogebra worksheet should look something like this.

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