Edexcel C1 Specimen — Question 10

Exam BoardEdexcel
ModuleC1 (Core Mathematics 1)
SessionSpecimen
TopicDifferentiation Applications
TypeFind normal line equation

10. The curve \(C\) has equation \(y = x ^ { 3 } - 5 x + \frac { 2 } { x } , x \neq 0\). The points \(A\) and \(B\) both lie on \(C\) and have coordinates \(( 1 , - 2 )\) and \(( - 1,2 )\) respectively.
  1. Show that the gradient of \(C\) at \(A\) is equal to the gradient of \(C\) at \(B\).
  2. Show that an equation for the normal to \(C\) at \(A\) is \(4 y = x - 9\). The normal to \(C\) at \(A\) meets the \(y\)-axis at the point \(P\). The normal to \(C\) at \(B\) meets the \(y\)-axis at the point \(Q\).
  3. Find the length of \(P Q\).