Difference between revisions of "Tangent approximation"
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The tangent approximation method is a method in Calculus employed to find the equation of a line tangent to the curve. One must know the slope of the curve and a point on the curve. The slope is usually found by taking the derivative of the equation and equating it to the change in ''y'' over the change in ''x'': | The tangent approximation method is a method in Calculus employed to find the equation of a line tangent to the curve. One must know the slope of the curve and a point on the curve. The slope is usually found by taking the derivative of the equation and equating it to the change in ''y'' over the change in ''x'': | ||
| − | <math> \frac{dy}{dx}\ = \frac{rise}{run}\ = \frac{y<sub>2</sub>-y<sub>1</sub>}{x<sub>2</sub>-x<sub>1</sub>}\</math> | + | <math> \frac{dy}{dx}\ = \frac{rise}{run}\ = \frac{y<sub>2</sub>-y<sub>1</sub>}{x<sub>2</sub>-x<sub>1</sub>}\ </math> |
Utilizing cross-multiplication, this yields: | Utilizing cross-multiplication, this yields: | ||
Revision as of 13:26, April 5, 2008
The tangent approximation method is a method in Calculus employed to find the equation of a line tangent to the curve. One must know the slope of the curve and a point on the curve. The slope is usually found by taking the derivative of the equation and equating it to the change in y over the change in x:
Utilizing cross-multiplication, this yields:
When one point on the curve is known, its x and y values are plugged into the equation.
