Expert: Paul Klarreich - 7/7/2009

Question
Question asked: May I know how do I find the theoretical slope of y=3a+b/(c+x) when a, b and c are given? Is there any specific maths category that I can read up for the derivation? Thank you.

Your reply: Sorry, but you must define your terms. What does 'theoretical slope' mean?

The theoretical slope that i meant is for example,

y = mx + c

m = slope and c = intercept.

In this case y=3a+b/(c+x), 3a = intercept but i cannot figure out the slope as the graph will increase and then go plateau.

Thank you.

Regards,
Ee Ling

Answer
Questioner:   Ee Ling
Country:  Singapore
Category:  Advanced Math
Private:  No
 
Subject:  Finding theoretical slope
Question:  Question asked: May I know how do I find the theoretical slope of y=3a+b/(c+x) when a, b and c are given? Is there any specific maths category that I can read up for the derivation? Thank you.

The theoretical slope that i meant is for example,

y = mx + c

m = slope and c = intercept.

In this case y=3a+b/(c+x), 3a = intercept but i cannot figure out the slope as the graph will increase and then go plateau.

Thank you.

Regards,
Ee Ling
..............................
What you have described is the slope of a straight line graph, which is the graph of a linear function,  y = mx + c (actually we normally write  mx + b, but it does not matter)

If the function is not linear, then the slope is not defined.  What IS defined is the slope of the tangent line at a point, which will vary.

Would you like to know how to find it?  Ask your school to conduct a class in calculus.  That's the subject that deals with this issue.