The equation of a curve is \(y = (x - 3)\sqrt{x + 1} + 3\). The following points lie on the curve. Non-exact values are rounded to 4 decimal places.

\(A (2, k)\) \(B (2.9, 2.8025)\) \(C (2.99, 2.9800)\) \(D (2.999, 2.9980)\) \(E (3, 3)\)

1. Find \(k\), giving your answer correct to 4 decimal places.
2. Find the gradient of \(AE\), giving your answer correct to 4 decimal places.

The gradients of \(BE, CE\) and \(DE\), rounded to 4 decimal places, are 1.9748, 1.9975 and 1.9997 respectively.

3. State, giving a reason for your answer, what the values of the four gradients suggest about the gradient of the curve at the point \(E\).