CAIE IGCSE Additional Math 8.3 tangent problems
Use this tangent-problems page to connect the radius gradient to the tangent's perpendicular gradient and form the line equation.
- Syllabus
- 2028–2030
- Course
- Additional Mathematics 0606
Use this tangent-problems page to connect the radius gradient to the tangent's perpendicular gradient and form the line equation.
Point A has coordinates (3,-1).
A circle has equation (x−4)2+(y+3)2=5.
Find the equation of the tangent to the circle at A.
gradient of radius =4−3−3+1=−2 soi by gradient
of tangent
M1
gradient of tangent = their (−2)−1
M1
FT their -2
Allow if differentiation is used e.g.:
y+1=21(x−3) oe
A1
FT their −2−1
ISW from a correct unsimplified answer
Alternative
use of differentiation e.g.:
(y+3)2=5−(x−4)2y=−x2+8x−11−3 dx dy=2−x2+8x−11−2x+8
(M1)
allow one error
or use of implicit differentiation (not on syllabus) e.g.:
2x+2y dx dy−8+6 dx dy=0
leading to dxdy=2y+68−2x
Substitute (3,-1) in their dxdy
to get gradient =21
(M1)
Dep on first M1
y+1=21(x−3) oe
(A1)
ISW from a correct unsimplified answer