Linearization of a function

Question

Find the linearization of the function f(x)=x^4+3x^2 at x=-1

Answer 1

Use the point-slope form:

y - y₁ = m(x - x₁)

Step 1, plug in x = -1 to get the y value. That is your point (x₁, y₁)

Step 2: Calculate the derivative using the power rule and then plug in x = -1. That is the slope (m)

Step 3: Plug in the point and slope into the point-slope form to get the equation of the line