- #1
SolidSnake
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Homework Statement
Find the equations of all the tangent lines to x^2 + 4y^2 = 36 that pass through the point (12,3)
Homework Equations
the derivative of the ellipse is dy/dx = -2x/8y
(I'm not sure if that is correct, i have only recently learned implicit differentiation.)
The Attempt at a Solution
Using a point on the ellipse as ( x , +- ((6 - x) /2)) and the point which was given, i used the slope formula for a line and then set that equal to the derivative. However, now I'm left with 2 variables, x and y. I am 100% positive that we aren't suppose to use a CAS to solve this question. Could someone please help me out