Write the slope of the normal to the curve

Question:

Write the slope of the normal to the curve $y=\frac{1}{x}$ at the point $\left(3, \frac{1}{3}\right)$.

Solution:

Given that $y=\frac{1}{x}$

On differentiating both sides w.r.t. $x$, we get

$\frac{d y}{d x}=-\frac{1}{x^{2}}$

Now, slope of the tangent at $\left(3, \frac{1}{3}\right)$

$\Rightarrow \frac{\mathrm{dy}}{\mathrm{dx}}=-\frac{1}{9}$

Slope of normal $=9$

Leave a comment