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

Determine a particular solution to differential equation, Determine a parti...

Determine a particular solution for the subsequent differential equation. y′′ - 4 y′ -12 y = 3e5t + sin(2t) + te4t Solution This example is the purpose that we've been u

Calculate the area and perimeter of a parallelogram, Calculate the area and...

Calculate the area and perimeter of a parallelogram: Calculate the area and perimeter of a parallelogram with base (b) = 4´, height (h) = 3´, a = 5´ and b = 4´.  Be sure to in

How to divide two fractions, Q. How to divide two fractions?If you want to ...

Q. How to divide two fractions?If you want to divide two fractions, You invert the second fraction (that means, turn it upside-down) and multiply (change the division to a

Matrices, what are eigen values

what are eigen values

Volume, a data set has a mean of 3, a median of 4, and a mode of 5.which nu...

a data set has a mean of 3, a median of 4, and a mode of 5.which number must be in the data set-3,4,5?

Explain how to distribute simplifying expressions, Explain How to Distribut...

Explain How to Distribute simplifying expressions? The distributive law states that for all numbers a, b, and c, a(b + c)= ab + ac What does this mean in plain language?

Application of statistics-quality control, Quality Control Normally th...

Quality Control Normally there is a quality control departments in every industry which is charged along with the responsibility of ensuring about the products made do meet th

Differential calculus and probability, Josephine is constructing an open bo...

Josephine is constructing an open box by cutting the squares off the corners of a sheet of paper sized 20cm by 16cm. She is considering options of 3cm, 4cm and 5cm squares in order

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