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

Operation research, approximate the following problem as a mixed integer pr...

approximate the following problem as a mixed integer program. maximize z=e-x1+x1+(x2+1)2 subject to x12+x2 =0

Definition of random variables, Q. Definition of Random Variables? Ans...

Q. Definition of Random Variables? Ans. Up to this point, we have been looking at probabilities of different events. Basically, random variables assign numbers to element

Find the area of the remaining part of cardboard, From a sheet of cardboard...

From a sheet of cardboard in the shape of a square of side 14 cm, a piece in the shape of letter B is cut off. The curved side of the letter consists of two equal semicircles & the

Numerical methods for ordinary differential equationsordinay, #k1=f(Tn, Xn)...

#k1=f(Tn, Xn), k2=f (Tn + H.Y,Xn + H.Y.k1) Xn+1=Xn + H(a.k1+ b.k2) Find a relation between Y,a and b so that the method is second order consistent.

Properties of dot product - vector, Properties of Dot Product u → • (v...

Properties of Dot Product u → • (v → + w → ) = u → • v → + u → • w →          (cv → ) • w → = v → •(cw → ) = c (v → •w → ) v → • w → = w → • v →

What is the maximum number calories which consume from fats, Josephine is o...

Josephine is on an 1,800 calorie per day diet. She tries to remain her intake of fat to no more than 30% of her overall calories. Based on an 1,800 calorie a day diet, what is the

Trigonmetry, [3+tan20+tan80]/tan20+tan80

[3+tan20+tan80]/tan20+tan80

Metric space, Assume that (X, d) is a metric space and let (x1, : : : , x n...

Assume that (X, d) is a metric space and let (x1, : : : , x n ) be a nite set of pointsof X. Elustrate , using only the de nition of open, that the set X\(x1, : : : , x n ) obtain

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