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Perplex
Perplex
Dashboard
Topics
Exponents & LogarithmsApproximations & ErrorSequences & SeriesCounting & BinomialsProof and Reasoning
Cartesian plane & linesQuadraticsFunction TheoryTransformations & asymptotes
2D & 3D GeometryTrig equations & identities
ProbabilityDescriptive StatisticsBivariate StatisticsDistributions & Random Variables
DifferentiationIntegration
Review VideosFormula BookletMy Progress
BlogLanding Page
Sign UpLogin
Perplex
/
Differentiation
/
Tangents and normals
Applications of the First Derivative
Tangents and normals
Differentiation

Tangents and normals

0 of 0 exercises completed

Definitions of tangent and normal, finding tangent and normal lines to a function

Want a deeper conceptual understanding? Try our interactive lesson! (Plus Only)

Tangent to f(x)
SL 5.4

​L:mx+c​ is tangent to ​f(x)​ at ​x=a​ means

​
same ysame y′​{f(a)=ma+cf′(a)=m​🚫
​

Using point slope form the equation of the tangent is:

​
y−f(a) ⇒y​=m⋅(x−a)🚫 =mx−ma+f(a)🚫​
​


Normal to f(x)
SL 5.4

The normal to ​f(x)​ at ​x=a​ is the line that passes through ​(a,f(a))​ and is perpendicular to the tangent:

​
mn​⋅mt​=−1⇔mn​  ​=−mt​1​🚫 =−f′(a)1​🚫​
​

Using point slope form the equation of the tangent is:

​
y−f(a) ⇒y​=mn​⋅(x−a)🚫 =mn​x−mn​a+f(a)🚫​
​

Nice work completing Tangents and normals, here's a quick recap of what we covered:

Skills covered

Mixed Practice

Exercises checked off

I'm Plex, here to help you understand this concept!
/
Differentiation
/
Tangents and normals
Applications of the First Derivative
Tangents and normals
Differentiation

Tangents and normals

0 of 0 exercises completed

Definitions of tangent and normal, finding tangent and normal lines to a function

Want a deeper conceptual understanding? Try our interactive lesson! (Plus Only)

Tangent to f(x)
SL 5.4

​L:mx+c​ is tangent to ​f(x)​ at ​x=a​ means

​
same ysame y′​{f(a)=ma+cf′(a)=m​🚫
​

Using point slope form the equation of the tangent is:

​
y−f(a) ⇒y​=m⋅(x−a)🚫 =mx−ma+f(a)🚫​
​


Normal to f(x)
SL 5.4

The normal to ​f(x)​ at ​x=a​ is the line that passes through ​(a,f(a))​ and is perpendicular to the tangent:

​
mn​⋅mt​=−1⇔mn​  ​=−mt​1​🚫 =−f′(a)1​🚫​
​

Using point slope form the equation of the tangent is:

​
y−f(a) ⇒y​=mn​⋅(x−a)🚫 =mn​x−mn​a+f(a)🚫​
​

Nice work completing Tangents and normals, here's a quick recap of what we covered:

Skills covered

Mixed Practice

Exercises checked off

I'm Plex, here to help you understand this concept!

Generating starter questions...

Generating starter questions...