Worked example 14: Finding the equation of a tangent to a curve

QUESTION
Given g(x) = (x + 2)(2x + 1)
2
, determine the equation of the tangent to the curve at
x = 1 .
SOLUTION
Step 1: Determine the y-coordinate of the point
g(x) = (x + 2)(2x + 1)
2
g(1) = (1 + 2)[2(1) + 1]
2
= (1)(1)
2
= 1
Therefore the tangent to the curve passes through the point (1; 1).
Step 2: Expand and simplify the given function
g(x) = (x + 2)(2x + 1)
2
= (x + 2)(4x
2
+ 4x + 1)
= 4x
3
+ 4x
2
+ x + 8x
2
+ 8x + 2
= 4x
3
+ 12x
2
+ 9x + 2
Step 3: Find the derivative
g

(x) = 4(3x
2
) + 12(2x) + 9 + 0
= 12x
2
+ 24x + 9
Step 4: Calculate the gradient of the tangent
Substitute x = 1 into the equation for g

(x):
g

(1) = 12(1)
2
+ 24(1) + 9
m = 12 24 + 9
= 3
Step 5: Determine the equation of the tangent
Substitute the gradient of the tangent and the coordinates of the point into the gradient-
point form of the straight line equation.
y y
1
= m(x x
1
)
y 1 = 3 (x (1))
y = 3x 3 + 1
y = 3x 2
226 6.4. Equation of a tangent to a curve