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

Build upon the childs background with maths, BUILD UPON THE CHILDS BACKGROU...

BUILD UPON THE CHILDS BACKGROUND :  As you read in previous, each child is unique. Individual children vary in age, level of cognition, background, etc. What implications does thi

Pre-calculus, finding the vertex for the function of the form f(x)=ax^2+bx...

finding the vertex for the function of the form f(x)=ax^2+bx+c

What is the prime factorization of 84, What is the prime factorization of 8...

What is the prime factorization of 84? This is the only answer choice which has only PRIME numbers. A prime number is a number along with two and only two distinct factors. In

What is metric system explain in brief, What is Metric System explain in br...

What is Metric System explain in brief? There are two main systems of measurement in use today. Most countries in the world use the Metric System. In only three countries-the

Mechanical vibrations, This time we are going to take a look at an applicat...

This time we are going to take a look at an application of second order differential equations. It's now time take a look at mechanical vibrations. In exactly we are going to look

Percentage, there are 300 students in the sixth grade. if 40% of them were ...

there are 300 students in the sixth grade. if 40% of them were girls, how many boys were there?

LINEAR PROGRAMMING, Richland Health has three hospitals in the greater Tamp...

Richland Health has three hospitals in the greater Tampa, Florida area. Demand for patient services varies considerably during the fall and winter months due to the temporary influ

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