Source: Extra Practice
Find the slope of the tangent to the curve y = x^2 at the point x = 3.
Options
Option A
3
Option B
9
Option C is correct
6
Option D
2
Explanation
The slope of the tangent is the value of the derivative at that point. The derivative of y = x^2 is dy/dx = 2x. Evaluating at x = 3, we get 2(3) = 6. Option A is the x-value. Option B is the y-value (x^2). Option D is the derivative function's coefficient.