Tangent lines, Mathematics

Assignment Help:

Tangent Lines : The first problem which we're going to study is the tangent line problem.  Before getting into this problem probably it would be best to define a tangent line.

A tangent line to the function f(x) at the instance x = a is a line which just touches the graph of the function at the point in question & is "parallel" (in some way) to the graph at that point. Consider the  graph below.

1835_common graph 11.png

In this graph the line is a tangent line at the specified point because just it touches the graph at that point and is also "parallel" to the graph at that point.  Similarly, at the second point illustrated, the line does just touch the graph at that point, hence it is not "parallel" to the graph at that point & hence it's not a tangent line to the graph at that point.

At the second point illustrated (the point where the line isn't a tangent line) we will sometimes call the line a secant line.

Now, we've used the word parallel a couple of times and we have to probably be a little careful with it.  Generally we will think of a line & a graph as being parallel at a point if they are both moving in the same direction at that point. So, in the first point above the graph and the line are moving in the same direction and so we will say they are parallel at that point.  At the second point, on the other hand, the line and the graph are not moving in the same direction and so they aren't parallel at that point.


Related Discussions:- Tangent lines

Example of mixing problems, A 1500 gallon tank primarily holds 600 gallons ...

A 1500 gallon tank primarily holds 600 gallons of water along with 5 lbs of salt dissolved into it. Water enters the tank at a rate of 9 gal/hr and the water entering the tank has

Rounding, round 200 to nearest hundreds

round 200 to nearest hundreds

Some general facts about lines, First, larger the number (ignoring any minu...

First, larger the number (ignoring any minus signs) the steeper the line.  Thus, we can use the slope to tell us something regarding just how steep a line is. Next, if the slope

What is the width of the walkway in feet, A garden in the shape of a rectan...

A garden in the shape of a rectangle is surrounded through a walkway of uniform width. The dimensions of the garden only are 35 by 24. The field of the garden and the walkway toget

Prove that xa+ar=xb+br of circle, In figure, XP and XQ are tangents from X ...

In figure, XP and XQ are tangents from X to the circle with centre O. R is a point on the circle. Prove that XA+AR=XB+BR Ans:    Since the length of tangents from externa

????????, ?????? ?????? ?? ???? ??????? ???????? ?????? 3.5 ?? ??? ???? ???...

?????? ?????? ?? ???? ??????? ???????? ?????? 3.5 ?? ??? ???? ???? ????? 50??/???? ??????20??/???? ???? ?? ?? ?????? ???????? ??? ??? ?? ??????? ??????? ? ?? ????? ????

Write following in terms of simpler logarithms, Write following in terms of...

Write following in terms of simpler logarithms.  (a) log 3 (9 x 4    / √y) Solution log 3 (9 x 4 / √y) =log ­ 3 9x 4 -  log  y (1/2) =log ­ 3 9 + log ­ 3 x 4

Simple equations, three times the first of the three consecutive odd intege...

three times the first of the three consecutive odd integers is 3 more than twice the third integer. find the third integer.

Finding the inverse of a function , Finding the Inverse of a Function : Th...

Finding the Inverse of a Function : The procedure for finding the inverse of a function is a rather simple one although there are a couple of steps which can on occasion be somewh

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