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

One-sided limits, One-sided limits: We do this along with one-sided limits...

One-sided limits: We do this along with one-sided limits.  As the name implies, with one-sided limits we will just looking at one side of the point in question.  Following are the

Emi, calculation of emi %

calculation of emi %

Sum of a number of terms in g.p., We know that the terms in G.P. are:...

We know that the terms in G.P. are: a, ar, ar 2 , ar 3 , ar 4 , ................, ar n-1 Let s be the sum of these terms, then s = a + ar + ar 2

Index shift - sequences and series, Index Shift - Sequences and Series ...

Index Shift - Sequences and Series The main idea behind index shifts is to start a series at a dissimilar value for whatever the reason (and yes, there are legitimate reasons

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

Mathematical formulae, Mathematical Formulae (a ...

Mathematical Formulae (a + b) 2 = a 2 + b 2 + 2ab (a - b) 2 = a 2 + b 2 - 2ab (a + b) 2 +

Electronic whiteboards, Topic : Use of Electronic whiteboards (ICT) in prim...

Topic : Use of Electronic whiteboards (ICT) in primary education in Australia and international. What are the key theories, concepts and ideas related to your topic? Wha

Differential calculus, lim n tends to infintiy ( {x} + {2x} + {3x}..... +{n...

lim n tends to infintiy ( {x} + {2x} + {3x}..... +{nx}/ n2(to the square) )where {X} denotes the fractional part of x? Ans) all no.s are positive or 0. so limit is either positive

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