Problem

The line with equation y=2x+c is tangent to the curve with equation y=x2+4. The value of c is

Answer

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Answer

This simplifies to 56168c=0, which means c=56168

Steps

Step 1 :Rearrange the equation of the line: y=2x+c to get 2x=yc

Step 2 :Substitute this into the equation of the curve: y=x2+4 to get y=(2x)2+4

Step 3 :Now we have y=4x2+4, and we can substitute yc for 2x

Step 4 :So, yc=4(2x)2+4, which simplifies to yc=16x2+4

Step 5 :Now we have y=16x2+c, and we can substitute this into the equation of the curve: y=x2+4

Step 6 :So, 16x2+c=x2+4, which simplifies to 17x2+c4=0

Step 7 :Since we have a tangent, this quadratic will have a double root, so its discriminant will be 0

Step 8 :Hence, (17)24(17)(c4)=28968c+272=0

Step 9 :This simplifies to 56168c=0, which means c=56168

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