The gradient of a curve at the point (-2, 0) is \(3x^{2} - 4x\). Find the equation of the curve.

A.

\(y = 6x - 4\)

B.

\(y = 6x^{2} - 4x + 12\)

C.

\(y = x^{3} - 2x^{2}\)

D.

\(y = x^{3} - 2x^{2} + 16\)

Correct answer is D

The gradient of a curve is gotten by differentiating the equation of the curve. Therefore, given the gradient, integrate to get the equation of the curve back.

\(\frac{\mathrm d y}{\mathrm d x} = 3x^{2} - 4x\)

\(y = \int {(3x^{2} - 4x)} \mathrm {d} x = \frac{3x^{2+1}}{2+1} - \frac{4x^{1+1}}{1+1} + c\)

= \(x^{3} - 2x^{2} + c \) 

To find c (the constant of integration), when x = -2, y = 0

\(0 = (-2^{3}) - 2(-2^{2}) + c\)

\(0 = -8 - 8 + c \implies c = 16\)

\(\therefore y = x^{3} - 2x^{2} + 16\)