Linear approximations, Mathematics

Assignment Help:

Linear Approximations

In this section we will look at an application not of derivatives but of the tangent line to a function. Certainly, to get the tangent line we do have to take derivatives, thus in some way this is an application of derivatives as well.

Given a function, f ( x ) , we can determine its tangent at x = a .  The equation of the tangent line, that we'll call L ( x ) for this discussion, is,

                            L ( x ) = f ( a ) + f ′ ( a ) ( x - a )

 Take a look at the given graph of a function & its tangent line.

2178_l hospital limit.png

From the graph we can illustrates that near x = a the tangent line & the function have closely the similar graph.  On instance we will utilizes the tangent line, L ( x ) , as an approximation to the function, f ( x ) , near x = a .  In these cases we call the tangent line the linear approximation to the function at x = a .


Related Discussions:- Linear approximations

Statistics, A researcher is investigating the effectiveness of a new medica...

A researcher is investigating the effectiveness of a new medication for lowering blood pressure for individuals with systolic pressure greater than 140. For this population, systol

What is a negative number, Q. What is a Negative Number? Ans. Neg...

Q. What is a Negative Number? Ans. Negative numbers  are very important in mathematics. We say that positive and negative numbers are  opposites  of one another. Here

Example of inflection point-differential equation, Example of inflection po...

Example of inflection point Determine the points of inflection on the curve of the function y = x 3 Solution The only possible inflexion points will happen where

Vector calculus, If F ( x,y, z) = x y² y4 i + ( 2x2 y + z) j - y3 z² k, fin...

If F ( x,y, z) = x y² y4 i + ( 2x2 y + z) j - y3 z² k, find: i). question #Minimum 100 words accepted#

Problem solver, a bathroom measure 250 cm by 175 cm calculate the side of t...

a bathroom measure 250 cm by 175 cm calculate the side of the largest square tile that can tile the floor

Quadratic Equation, Short Cuts for solving quadratic equations

Short Cuts for solving quadratic equations

Circumference of a circle, How far will a bowling ball goes in one rotation...

How far will a bowling ball goes in one rotation if the ball has a diameter of 10 inches? (π = 3.14) 1. 78.5 in 2. 31.4 in 3. 62.8 in 4. 15.7 in 2. The circumfere

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd