Show that the line $\frac{x}{a} + \frac{y}{b} = 1$ touches the curve $y = b \cdot e^{-x / a}$ at the point where the curve intersects the $y$-axis.

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
(A) The curve is given by $y = b \cdot e^{-x / a}$.
To find the point where the curve intersects the $y$-axis,we set $x = 0$.
Substituting $x = 0$ into the curve equation,we get $y = b \cdot e^{0} = b \cdot 1 = b$.
Thus,the point of intersection is $(0, b)$.
Now,we find the slope of the tangent to the curve at $(0, b)$ by differentiating $y$ with respect to $x$:
$\frac{dy}{dx} = b \cdot e^{-x / a} \cdot \left(-\frac{1}{a}\right) = -\frac{b}{a} e^{-x / a}$.
At the point $(0, b)$,the slope of the tangent is $\left(\frac{dy}{dx}\right)_{(0, b)} = -\frac{b}{a} e^{0} = -\frac{b}{a}$.
Next,we find the slope of the given line $\frac{x}{a} + \frac{y}{b} = 1$.
Rewriting the line equation in slope-intercept form $y = mx + c$,we have $\frac{y}{b} = -\frac{x}{a} + 1$,which implies $y = -\frac{b}{a}x + b$.
The slope of this line is $m = -\frac{b}{a}$.
Since the slope of the tangent to the curve at $(0, b)$ is equal to the slope of the line,and the point $(0, b)$ lies on both the curve and the line,the line touches the curve at the point where it intersects the $y$-axis.

Explore More

Similar Questions

The equation of the normal to the curve $y(1+x^{2})=2-x$ at the point where the tangent crosses the $x$-axis is

If the locus of the points on the curve $x^3 y^2+\frac{x^2}{y}=5$ at which the tangent is parallel to the $X$-axis is $f(x, y)=0$,then the point that lies on this curve $f(x, y)=0$ is

The equation of the tangent to the curve $(\frac{x}{a})^n + (\frac{y}{b})^n = 2$ $(n \in N)$ at the point with abscissa equal to '$a$' is:

If the tangent to the curve $y = f(x)$ at a point is perpendicular to the line $2x - 3y = 5$,then the value of $\frac{dy}{dx}$ at that point is:

The equation of the normal to the curve $y = \cosh x$ drawn at the point nearest to the origin is

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo