Calculus: Early Transcendentals 8th Edition

Published by Cengage Learning
ISBN 10: 1285741552
ISBN 13: 978-1-28574-155-0

Chapter 3 - Section 3.1 - Derivatives of Polynomials and Exponential Functions - 3.1 Exercises - Page 181: 56

Answer

At $x=\ln2$, the graph of $f(x)$ has a horizontal tangent.

Work Step by Step

$$f(x)=e^x-2x$$ 1) First, find the derivative of function $f(x)$ $$f'(x)=\frac{d}{dx}(e^x)-2\frac{d}{dx}(x)$$ $$f'(x)=e^x-2$$ 2) The slope of the tangent line of the curve $f(x)$ at a point $A (x,y)$ would be the value of $f'(x)$. A horizontal tangent line is one that has a slope value of $0$, or, in other words, $f'(x)=0$ Therefore, to find at what value of $x$, the graph of $f(x)$ has a horizontal tangent, we need to solve $$f'(x)=0$$$$e^x-2=0$$$$e^x=2$$$$x=\ln2$$ That means at $x=\ln2$, the graph of $f(x)$ has a horizontal tangent.
Update this answer!

You can help us out by revising, improving and updating this answer.

Update this answer

After you claim an answer you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft. An editor will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback.