Basic Calculus - Activity: Tangent Line

1. ) What is the common definition of a tangent line

A tangent line is a straight line that just barely touches a curve at one point. The idea
is that the tangent line and the curve are both going in the same direction at the point of
contact. If we have a very wavy curve, the tangent line and the curve don't really seem to
have much in common because the tangent line is perfectly straight. 

2. ) What is the modern definition of a tangent line

In geometry, the tangent line (or simply tangent) to a plane curve at a given point is
the straight line that "just touches" the curve at that point. Leibniz defined it as the line
through a pair of infinitely close points on the curve. As it passes through the point where
the tangent line and the curve meet, called the ”point of tangency”, the tangent line is
"going in the same direction" as the curve, and is thus the best straight-line
approximation to the curve at that point.

3. ) Differentiate a tangent Line and a secant line

The word secant comes from the Latin word secare, meaning to cut. In geometry,
a secant of a curve is a line that intersects the curve in at least two (distinct) points. Just
like the description of 1 and 2, a tangent line is a straight line that touches a function at
only one point. In addition, The tangent line represents the instantaneous rate of
change of the function at that one point.

4. ) What is the relationship of a tangent line and a secant line

The main relationship of tangent line and a secant line is that they both touches the
curve on their own/ shared point. Tangent indicates the direction of the curve, while a
secant line is a straight line joining two points on a function. They are lines, so extend in
both directions infinitely.

5. ) What is the definition of a tangent line in calculus

A tangent line is a straight line that touches a function at only one point. The tangent
line represents the instantaneous rate of change of the function at that one point. 

6. ) Illustrate/ Draw at least 3 tangent Line and 3 non-tangent line

7. ) How can you determine a tangent line (What formula)
You can determine a tangent line through observing the line, tangent line always
touches the outside part of the curve, and it must be parallel to it. If the line did goes
across the curve and not parallel, then we can say that, that line is not a tangent line.
Formula:
A tangent line to the function f(x) at the point x=a

8. ) Relate a tangent line to derivatives

The derivative of a function of a real variable measures the sensitivity to change of
the function value with respect to a change in its argument. Derivatives are a fundamental
tool of calculus. The slope of the tangent line at a point on the function is equal to
the derivative of the function at the same point.

9. ) Why is it vital to have a firm grasp of knowledge , concepts and skills that you
have learned from previous math subject?
Jordan - From my observation, math is just like a step ladder or mountain climbing
activity. Because for me, math is a complex thing to undestand so we must take a step-
by-step process to understand it. We started from bottom that math is just easy as a piece
of cake, and as we approach higher level, we experience though questions and equations.
We need to take note every thing we learn from mathematics because they are all related.
Math is a subject that we need to look forward because it could test on how much we
have patience and understanding to things.
Gionne-

Submitted By: Jordan C. Campo; Gionne Carlo Gomez

Submitted To: Maám Juzzeth Baltazar Viray - Capili
Submitted On: February 24, 2020