What is the equation of the line that is normal to #f(x)=-e^x # at # x=-2 #?

1 Answer
Aug 2, 2016

#xe^4-ye^2+2e^4-1=0#.

Explanation:

Let us recall that, #f'(x)# is the slope of tgt. to the curve # C : y=f(x)# at any pt. #(x,y)#.

For, #f(x)=-e^x, f'(x)=-e^x rArr f'(-2)=-e^-2=-1/e^2#.

#:.# the slope of tgt. to #C# at #x=-2# is #-1/e^2#, &, since, normal is

#bot# to tgt., the slope normal at #x=-2# will be #-1/(-1/e^2)=e^2#

Also, #x=-2 rArr f(-2)=-e^-2=-1/e^2#, so, the pt. of contact is #(-2,-1/e^2)#

Altogether, the normal passes thro. pt. #(-2,-1/e^2)# and has slope

#=e^2#. This gives us the eqn. of normal as # : y+1/e^2=e^2(x+2)#,

or, #ye^2+1=xe^4+2e^4, i.e., xe^4-ye^2+2e^4-1=0#.