Browsing as Guest. Progress, bookmarks and attempts are disabled.
Log in to track your work.
June 2008 p3 q6
1665
The equation of a curve is \(xy(x+y) = 2a^3\), where \(a\) is a non-zero constant. Show that there is only one point on the curve at which the tangent is parallel to the \(x\)-axis, and find the coordinates of this point.
Solution
To find where the tangent is parallel to the \(x\)-axis, we need \(\frac{dy}{dx} = 0\).
Start by differentiating the given equation \(xy(x+y) = 2a^3\).
Using the product rule, differentiate \(xy(x+y)\):