Q.Find the equations of tangent and normal to the curve at the point on it: x3+y3−9xy=0 at (2,4).
Concept understanding — Tangent and Normal to a Curve
The derivative dy/dx evaluated at a point (x1,y1) on a curve y=f(x) gives the slope m of the tangent line to the curve at that point — this is the geometric meaning of the derivative. The tangent is the straight line that just touches the curve at (x1,y1) and has the same instantaneous direction as the curve there; its equation is y−y1=m(x−x1). The normal is the line through the same point that is perpendicular to the tangent; since perpendicular lines have slopes that are negative reciprocals of each other, the normal's slope is m′=−1/m (valid when m=0), and its equation is y−y1=m′(x−x1). When the curve is given implicitly (an equation in x and y that cannot easily be solved for y) or parametrically (both x and y given in terms of a parameter such as θ or t), the same idea applies: differentiate implicitly using the chain and product rules, or use dy/dx=(dy/dθ)/(dx/dθ) for parametric curves, evaluate the resulting slope at the given point, and substitute into the point-slope forms above. Special cases: a horizontal tangent (slope 0) gives a vertical normal, and a vertical tangent (undefined slope) gives a horizontal normal.
Search phrases like "tangent and normal to a curve formula" and "application of derivatives important questions class 12" are common around this NCERT/CBSE Class 12 Mathematics chapter, a heavily weighted topic in board exams and JEE Main. Extending the basic point-slope method to implicit and parametric curves, as shown here, is a frequently tested extension in competitive-exam problems that go beyond the simplest explicit-curve case.
Differentiate implicitly (product rule on the 9xy term) and solve for dy/dx, then substitute the point.
Tangent: 4x−5y+12=0; Normal: 5x+4y−26=0
Given x3+y3−9xy=0. Differentiating implicitly with respect to x (using the product rule on 9xy):
3x2+3y2dxdy−9(y+xdxdy)=0
3x2+3y2dxdy−9y−9xdxdy=0
dxdy(3y2−9x)=9y−3x2⇒dxdy=3y2−9x9y−3x2=y2−3x3y−x2
At (2,4): numerator =3(4)−(2)2=12−4=8; denominator =(4)2−3(2)=16−6=10. So m=108=54.
Tangent: y−4=54(x−2)⇒5y−20=4x−8⇒4x−5y+12=0.
Normal slope =−45: y−4=−45(x−2)⇒4y−16=−5x+10⇒5x+4y−26=0.
Tangent: 4x−5y+12=0; Normal: 5x+4y−26=0
Implicit differentiation: differentiate every term w.r.t. x, treating y as a function of x (chain rule gives a dy/dx factor on every y-term), collect all dy/dx terms on one side, then substitute the point to get a numerical slope.
Forgetting the product rule on the mixed term 9xy (missing either the y or the xdy/dx piece); sign errors when collecting dy/dx terms.
- CBSE 2026Set A1 markMCQQ.The equation of the tangent to the curve y=x2+4x+1 at the point x=3 is(a) x+10y=8(b) 10x+y=8(c) 10x−y=8(d) x−10y=8
›Reveal solutionSolution
The tangent at x=3 is 10x−y=8.
Given y=x2+4x+1. The slope is
dxdy=2x+4.
At x=3: slope =2(3)+4=10, and y=9+12+1=22, so the point is (3,22).
Equation of the tangent:
y−22=10(x−3)⇒y=10x−30+22=10x−8,
i.e. 10x−y=8.
✓Final answer(c) 10x−y=8.
- CBSE 2023Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.The slope of the tangent to the curve y2=4ax at the point (at2,2at) is:(a) t(b) t2(c) t1(d) None of these
›Reveal solutionSolution
Use parametric differentiation: dxdy=dx/dtdy/dt.
For y2=4ax, the point (at2,2at) satisfies x=at2, y=2at.
dtdx=2at, dtdy=2a
dxdy=dx/dtdy/dt=2at2a=t1
✓Final answerSlope =t1, option (c).
- CBSE 2019Set ANNUAL1 markQ.Find the slope of tangent to the curve y=x3−x at x=2.
›Reveal solutionSolution
The slope of the tangent at a point equals dxdy evaluated at that point.
Given y=x3−x
dxdy=3x2−1
At x=2: dxdy=3(2)2−1=12−1=11
✓Final answerSlope of the tangent at x=2 is 11.
- CBSE 2018Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.The slope of tangent to the curve x=acos3θ, y=asin3θ at θ=4π is:(a) 1(b) 2(c) −1(d) None of these
›Reveal solutionSolution
Find dy/dx for the parametric curve and evaluate at θ=π/4.
x=acos3θ⇒dθdx=−3acos2θsinθ.
y=asin3θ⇒dθdy=3asin2θcosθ.
dxdy=−3acos2θsinθ3asin2θcosθ=−cosθsinθ=−tanθ.
At θ=π/4: −tan(π/4)=−1.
✓Final answerSlope =−1, option (c).
- CBSE 2017Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.The point on the curve y=x3−11x+5 at which the tangent is y=x−11, is:(a) (−2,0)(b) (3,7)(c) (0,2)(d) (2,−9)
›Reveal solutionSolution
Matching the curve's slope to the tangent's slope 1 gives the point (2,−9).
y=x3−11x+5⇒dxdy=3x2−11. The tangent line y=x−11 has slope 1, so 3x2−11=1⇒x2=4⇒x=±2.
At x=2: y=8−22+5=−9, giving (2,−9); check it lies on the tangent: 2−11=−9 ✓.
At x=−2: y=−8+22+5=19, but the tangent gives −2−11=−13=19, so this point is rejected.
✓Final answer(2,−9) (option d)
🎓Unlock everything free for 14 days
- ✓Full step-by-step solutions
- ✓Concept-first explanations
- ✓Methods, shortcuts & mistakes
- ✓PYQ mapping + timed mock tests
Full access for 14 days. No credit card required.