Question

What is the slope of the graph of y = x^2 + 12 -7 at the point x = 4

A) 4
B)15
C)20
D)34
E)57

Answer 1

20

Explanation:

Step 1: find the derivative of y = x^2 + 12x - 7; it is 2x + 12.

This function represents the slope of the tangent line to the given curve at x.

Step 2: Substitute 4 for x in f '(x) = 2x + 12: f '(4) = 2(4) + 12 = 20

The slope of the tangent line to the graph of y = x^2 + 12x - 7 at x = 4 is 20.