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

Explain mixed numbers with examples, Explain Mixed Numbers with examples? ...

Explain Mixed Numbers with examples? Everybody loves a bargain, right? But sometimes these "special deals" aren't what they seem to be. For example, pretend you were at a

Matrics, #question what is input and output analysis

#question what is input and output analysis

Twice a number increased by 11 is equal to 32 less three, Twice a number in...

Twice a number increased by 11 is equal to 32 less than three times the number. Find out the number. Let x = the number. Now translate every part of the sentence. Twice a numb

Work Word Problems, Data entry is performed in 2-person teams. Each 2-perso...

Data entry is performed in 2-person teams. Each 2-person team can enter 520 surveys per day. A selection of 7540 surveys must be entered by day''s end. How many total employees, wo

Discrete, For each of these arguments determine whether the argument is cor...

For each of these arguments determine whether the argument is correct or incorrect and explain why. a) Everyone enrolled in the university has lived in a dormitory. Mia has never l

Basic operations on fractions, A simple example of fraction would be ...

A simple example of fraction would be a rational number of the form p/q, where q ≠ 0. In fractions also we come across different types of them. The two fractions

Children learn maths by experiencing things, Children Learn By Experiencing...

Children Learn By Experiencing Things : One view about learning says that children construct knowledge by acting upon things. They pick up things, throw them, break them, join the

Two bulbs are selected without replacement, A bag of 28 tulip bulbs contain...

A bag of 28 tulip bulbs contains 12 red tulip bulbs,7 purple tulip bulbs  and 9 yellow tulip bulbs,. Two bulbs are selected without replacement. Determine, a)    The probability t

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