Concept:
The equation of the tangent to a curve \(y = f(x)\) at \(x = a\) is given by:
\[
y - f(a) = f'(a)(x - a)
\]
where:
- \(f'(a)\) is the slope of the tangent obtained using differentiation.
- \(f(a)\) is the point on the curve where the tangent touches.
Thus, we first find the derivative to determine the slope and then use the point–slope form of a straight line.
Step 1: {Differentiate the given function.}
Given
\[
y = 3x^3 - 3x^2 + 1
\]
Differentiating with respect to \(x\):
\[
\frac{dy}{dx} = 9x^2 - 6x
\]
This represents the slope of the tangent at any point \(x\).
Step 2: {Find the slope at \(x = 1\).}
\[
m = 9(1)^2 - 6(1)
\]
\[
m = 9 - 6 = 3
\]
Thus, the slope of the tangent is \(m = 3\).
Step 3: {Find the point on the curve at \(x = 1\).}
Substitute \(x=1\) into the original equation:
\[
y = 3(1)^3 - 3(1)^2 + 1
\]
\[
y = 3 - 3 + 1
\]
\[
y = 1
\]
So the point of tangency is
\[
(1,1)
\]
Step 4: {Use the point–slope form of the tangent line.}
\[
y - y_1 = m(x - x_1)
\]
Substituting \(m=3\), \(x_1=1\), \(y_1=1\):
\[
y - 1 = 3(x - 1)
\]
\[
y - 1 = 3x - 3
\]
\[
y = 3x - 2
\]