Math experts help: Two general calculus questions

[BigKev]

Hey guys,

Trust me - I'm not asking anyone to do my homework for me ... I just want to be pointed in the right direction.

1) How would I go about finding the shortest distance between two graphs using derivatives, etc?

2) Is there any relation to the slope of a line and what angle it crosses the x-axis at? For instance, could I determine the slope of a line if I knew it crossed the x-axis at an angle of Pi/3?

Thanks.

 

[Beattie]

1) what? Do you mean the shortest distance between to curves?

2) yes.

 

[Whitecloak]

slope = tan(angle to x-axis)

 

[FeathersMcGraw]

1) Apply the distance formula and substitute the values for the graphs. Find the inflection points.

2) The angle of a straight line directly determines its slope.

 

[BigKev]

FeathersMcGraw - that may be my problem ... I do not know what the distance formula is ... would you be so kind as to post it?

 

[Aves]

Originally posted by: ISO
FeathersMcGraw - that may be my problem ... I do not know what the distance formula is ... would you be so kind as to post it?

Distance Formula Lesson

 

[FeathersMcGraw]

Google wants to know if you're feeling lucky, punk

(Edit: it apparently also wants to know if I can learn to type faster)

 

[Beattie]

Even easier way I just thought of... subtract one function from the other and then find the roots of the resultant function.

 

[eLiu]

Originally posted by: Beattie
Even easier way I just thought of... subtract one function from the other and then find the roots of the resultant function.

We have a winner! This is the easiest/fastest method I know of for question 1.

Question 2...If you have the x-intercept and an angle. If you draw it on a graph, extend a line from the x-intercept with the given angle...then you should be able to see that you can make a triangle with the axis and the line--this should let you visualize how to find the slope. (Use the tangent function)