The Derivative and the

Tangent Line Problem

Lesson 3.1

Definition of Tan-gent

Tangent Definition
From geometry
a line in the plane of a circle
intersects in exactly one point

We wish to enlarge on the idea to include

tangency to any function, f(x)

Slope of Line Tangent to a

Curve
Approximated by secants
two points of
intersection

Let second point get closer

and closer to desired
View
Viewspreadsheet
spreadsheet
point of tangency
simulation
simulation

Geogebra
Geogebra
Demo
Demo

Animated Tangent

Slope of Line Tangent to a

Curve
Recall the concept of a limit from
previous chapter
Use the limit in this context

f ( x0 x) f ( x0 )
m lim
x 0
x

Definition of
a Tangent
Let x shrink
from the left

f ( x0 x) f ( x0 )
m lim
x 0
x

Definition of
a Tangent
Let x shrink
from the right

f ( x0 x) f ( x0 )
m lim
x 0
x

The Slope Is a Limit

Consider f(x) = x3 Find the tangent at
x0= 2
f (2 x) f (2)
m lim

x
(2 x)3 23
m lim
x 0
x
8 12x 6(x) 2 (x)3 8
m lim
x 0
x
x 0

Now finish

Animated Secant Line

Calculator Capabilities
Able to draw tangent line

Steps
Specify function on Y= screen
F5-math, A-tangent
Specify an x (where to
place tangent line)

Note results

Difference Function
Creating a difference function on your
calculator
store the desired function in f(x)
x^3 -> f(x)
Then specify the difference function
(f(x + dx) f(x))/dx -> difq(x,dx)
Call the function
difq(2, .001)

Use
Use some
some small
smallvalue
value for
for dx
dx
Result
Resultisis close
close to
toactual
actualslope
slope

Definition of Derivative
The derivative is the formula which
gives the slope of the tangent line at
any point x for f(x)

f ( x0 x) f ( x0 )
f '( x) lim
x 0
x

Note: the limit must exist

no hole
no jump
no pole
no sharp corner

AAderivative
derivativeisis aa limit
limit !!

Finding the Derivative

We will (for now) manipulate the difference
quotient algebraically
View end result of the limit
Note possible use of calculator
limit ((f(x + dx) f(x)) /dx, dx, 0)

Related Line the Normal

The line perpendicular to the function at a
point
called the normal

Find the slope of the function

Normal will have slope of negative
reciprocal to tangent
Use y = m(x h) + k

Using the Derivative

Consider that you are given the graph
of the derivative
What might the
f '(x)
slope of the original
function look like?
Consider
what do x-intercepts show?
To
Toactually
actuallyfind
findf(x),
f(x),we
we
what do max and mins show?need
needaaspecific
specificpoint
pointitit
contains
f `(x) <0 or f `(x) > 0 means what? contains

Derivative Notation
For the function y = f(x)
Derivative may be expressed as

f '( x) "f prime of x"

dy
"the derivative of y with respect to x"
dx

Assignment
Lesson 3.1
Page 123
Exercises: 1 41 EOO, 63, 65