Slope of the tangent curve when x = a?

Question

Consider the following curve.
y = 1 - √x
Find the slope of the tangent to the curve at the point where
x = a.

Please help I am lost.

the problem is correct I double checked and triple checked it

Answer 1

y' = -1/2a^-1/2

Answer 2

The exponent of x is 1/2. The derivitive of any polynomial expression is found by using the exponent as a leading coefficient (1/2), then subtracting 1 from the exponent of the independent variable (1/2 - 1 = -1/2). A constant's derivitive is zero, so the final answer is

y = -1/(2x^.5). For x = a, substitute for the 'x'.

Answer 3

The slope of a tangent to the curve =dy/dx=-a million/(x-a million)^2. If this =-a million then (x-a million)^2=a million which provides x-a million=-a million or x-a million=+a million So the two x=0, and y=-a million[ from y=a million/(x-a million)] or x=2 and y=a million. There are 2 tangents whose slope is -a million, (y--a million)=-a million(x-0) , y=-a million-x; and (y-a million)=-a million(x-2), y=3-x. [NB the line which passes by using factor (x1,y1) which has slope m , has equation (y-y1)=m(x-x1)]

Answer 4

slope(dy/dx)=1-1/(2sqrtx)
=1-1/sqrt(a)

Answer 5

u just hav to take the diff of it......
dy/dx=-1/(2(x)^.5)..........