Basic Calculus

Grade 11: STEM

Lesson Proper Activity ( Answers Key)

Divide the class into 5 groups, and instruct them to perform the activity.

Group Activity: “Name the Tangent Line”.

Given a function y=f(x), find the equation of the tangent line at a point (𝑥0 , 𝑦0 ).

TL
Q
y
y = f (x )

y0 P

x0 x

Guide questions:
1. What are the coordinates of P?
2. What are the coordinates of Q?
3. What is the slope of the secant line PQ?
4. What will happen to the secant line when Q approaches P, or as x approaches x0?

Probable Answers:
1. The P coordinates are ( 𝑥0 , 𝑦0 ).
2. The Q coordinates are ( x, y).
3. The slope of the secant line PQ is given by the equation:
𝑦−𝑦0
𝑚̅̅̅̅
𝑃𝑄 = .
𝑥−𝑥0
4. The secant line when Q approaches P, or as x approaches 𝑥0 becomes
tangent line to the graph of function y = f(x).
Motivational Activity:

Group students in to 5 members per group and let them work on the problem:
Solving for the slope of the line and forming an equation of a line in point-slope form.

Group Activity:
1. Given A(1, 3), B(3, 2), and C( 1,0), what are the slopes of the lines AB, AC and BC?

𝑦−𝑦
Solution: 𝑚𝑙 = 𝑥−𝑥0.
0

̅̅̅̅ is
The slope of 𝐴𝐵

−2−(−3) 1 1
𝑚̅̅̅̅
𝐴𝐵 = =2, 𝑚̅̅̅̅
𝐴𝐵 = 2
3−1

̅̅̅̅ is
The slope of 𝐴𝐶

0−(−3) 3 3
𝑚𝐴𝐶
̅̅̅̅ = = − 2, 𝑚𝐴𝐶
̅̅̅̅ = −
−1−1 2

̅̅̅̅ is
The slope of 𝐵𝐶

0−(−2) 2 1 1
𝑚𝐵𝐶
̅̅̅̅ = = − 4 = − 2, 𝑚𝐵𝐶
̅̅̅̅ = −
−3−1 2

2. From1 above, since , then using A(1,3) as our point, then the point-
slope form of the equation of AB is

𝑦 − 𝑦0 = 𝑚 (𝑥 − 𝑥0 )

1
𝑦 − (−3) = (𝑥 − 1)
2

1
𝑦+3= (𝑥 − 1)
2