Analyze correctly and solve properly application problems concerning the

derivatives to include writing equation of tangent/normal line, curve

tracing ( including all types of algebraic curves and cusps), optimization
problems, rate of change and related-rates problems (time-rate problems).
The following applications of the concept of the derivative will be undertaken in this
lesson:
1. Writing equations of the tangent line and the normal line to a curve at a given
point;
2. Working out a Calculus-based analysis of the properties of curves of functions and
using these to sketch the curve of the function;
3. Analyzing and solving accordingly applied optimization problems;
4. Analyzing and solving applied problems concerning rate of change to include
related rate and time rate problems.
APPLICATIONS of the DERIVATIVES
SLOPE OF A CURVE
EQUATION of TANGENT LINE and NORMAL LINE
 Objective:
At the end of the lesson, the students would be able to illustrate
properly and solve application problems involving the derivatives as an
instantaneous rate of change or as slope of the tangent line.
Recall: The Derivative of a function
When the concept of the derivative was introduced in the earlier discussion, the
𝑑𝑦
derivative of y with respect to x, , was defined as follows:
𝑑𝑥
dy y f ( x  x)  f ( x)
 lim  lim
dx x0 x x0 x

Provided the limit exists.

𝑑𝑦
Geometrically, derivative of y  f (x) , , is interpreted as equal to the slope of the
𝑑𝑥

tangent line at P or as the instantaneous rate of change of y with respect to x.

These two interpretation of the derivative are given emphasis in the different application
problems presented in the succeeding lessons.
In the given figure, we note that the line connecting points P and Q is a secant line of the curve with
Δ𝑦
slope 𝑚 = . However, as Q gets closer and closer to P , ∆𝑥 decreases and the secant line tends to
Δ𝑥

rotate, pivoting about the point P, closer and closer to the tangent line at point P.

y
tangent line
P( x1 , f ( x1 )) Q( x2 , f ( x2 ))

secant line

y y  f (x)

x  x2  x1
x2  x1  x
The closer Q gets to P, the smaller ∆x becomes (approaching
y
0) and the secant line gets closer and closer to the tangent tangent line
P(x1 , f (x1 )) Q( x2 , f ( x2 ))
Δy
line. The slope of the secant line m = tends to get closer secant line
Δx
y y  f (x)
and closer to the slope of the tangent line. Thus, the limit of
the slope of the secant line as Q moves closer and closer to
P will be the slope of the tangent line to the curve at point P; x
Δ𝑦
that is, lim 𝑚 = lim = Slope of the tangent line at P. x  x 2  x1
∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥→0 Δ𝑥 x 2  x1  x

𝚫𝒚 𝒅𝒚 𝒅𝒚
From the definition of the derivative 𝒍𝒊𝒎 = ; thus, represents slope of tangent line
∆𝒙→𝟎 𝚫𝒙 𝒅𝒙 𝒅𝒙

to the curve at P.
The derivative of a function is equal to the slope of the tangent line at any point
P along the curve;
𝒅𝒚
= 𝒎𝑻𝑳 .
𝒅𝒙

y
tangent line
P( x1 , f ( x1 )) Q( x2 , f ( x2 ))

secant line

y y  f (x)

x  x2  x1
x2  x1  x
 dy
Given = mTL evaluated at a point 𝑃1 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 on the curve of a function and by using the point-slope
dx

form for the equation of the straight line , the equation of the tangent line to a curve at the given point
𝑃1 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 is given by:
𝒚 − 𝒚𝟏 = 𝒎𝑻𝑳 𝒙 − 𝒙𝟏
By definition, a normal line to a curve at a point is a line perpendicular to the tangent line at the said point.
Hence, the slope of the normal line is the negative reciprocal of the slope of the tangent line; that is,
1
𝑚𝑁𝐿 = − .
𝑚𝑇𝐿

Thus, the normal line has an equation given by:

𝒚 − 𝒚𝟏 = 𝒎𝑵𝑳 𝒙 − 𝒙𝟏
 EXAMPLES
The use of the concept is illustrative in the following examples:

1. Find the slope of the curve 𝒚 = 𝒙𝟑 − 𝟐𝒙𝟐 − 𝒙 at the point (-1, -2 ).

Solution:
First we verify whether the given point is on the curve by checking whether the coordinates of the
point satisfy the given equation. Do x = -1 and y = -2 satisfy the equation 𝑦 = 𝑥 3 − 2𝑥 2 − 𝑥 ?
Verifying: 𝑦 = 𝑥 3 − 2𝑥 2 − 𝑥
−2 = (−1)3 −2 −1 2 − −1
−2 = −2
Since x = -1 and y = -2 returns an identity equation when substituted in the given equation then the
point ( -1, -2 ) is a point on the curve of the given function.
To determine the slope of the curve at the indicated point, we have to evaluate the value of the
derivative of the function at ( -1, -2). Given that
𝑦 = 𝑥 3 − 2𝑥 2 − 𝑥
then y ′ = 3𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 − 1
and at x = -1 and y = -2, y’ = 6 ( the slope of the tangent line to the curve at ( -1, -2 ).
2. Locate the points on the curve of 𝒚 = 𝟐𝒙𝟐 − 𝒙 + 𝟒 at which the slope
of the tangent is 2.

Solution:
Since the slope of the tangent line to a curve is the derivative
evaluated at the given point then to locate the point(s) on the curve where
𝒅𝒚
the slope of the tangent is 2, we will solve the equation = 𝟐 for x.
𝒅𝒙
With 2
𝑦 = 2𝑥 − 𝑥 + 4
𝑦 ′ = 4𝑥 − 1 = 2
4𝑥 = 3
3
𝑥=
4
The point on the curve where the slope of the tangent line is 2 is the point
where x = ¾ and y = 4.375
3. What is the equation of the tangent line to 𝒚 = 𝟒𝒙𝟓 + 𝒙𝟑 + 𝟏 at the
point ( 1, 6)? What is the equation of the normal line at the said point?

Solution:
The slope of the tangent line is first determined by evaluating the
derivative value at x =1 and y = 6.

𝑦 = 4𝑥 5 + 𝑥 3 + 1
𝑦 ′ = 20𝑥 4 + 3𝑥 2
at x =1 𝑦 ′ = 20(1)4 + 3(1)2 = 23 = 𝑚 𝑇𝐿

1
The slope of the normal line , 𝑚𝑁𝐿 = − .
23
Thus, the equation of the tangent line is:
y − 6 = 23 ( 𝑥 − 1)
𝑦 = 23𝑥 − 17
and that of the normal line is:
1
y − 6 = − ( 𝑥 − 1)
23
23𝑦 − 138 = −𝑥 + 1
x + 23𝑦 = 139
4. Locate the point where the tangent line to 𝒚 = 𝒙 + 𝒙 at the point ( 4, 6)
crosses the x-axis.

Solution:
1 5
The tangent line to the given curve at ( 4,6 ) is with slope y ′ = 1 + = .
2 𝑥 4
The equation of the line is given by:
5
y−6= 𝑥 −4
4
4y − 24 = 5 𝑥 − 4
4y − 24 = 5 𝑥 − 20
4𝑦 = 5𝑥 + 4
4
The x-intercept of the line is the point on the line where y = 0 and 𝑥 = − .
5
5. Write the equation of the tangent line to 𝒚 = 𝟐𝒙𝟐 − 𝒙𝟑 that is parallel to
𝒚 = 𝒙 + 𝟓. Furthermore, determine the abscissa of the point of tangency where
the tangent is perpendicular to y = x+5.

Solution:
If the tangent line is parallel to y = x+5 then the slope of the tangent line is
equal to the slope of the given line, m = 1. The slope m =1 is also the value of the
derivative of y at the point of tangency. To determine the point of tangency , solve
for x in y’ = 1.
𝑦 = 2𝑥 2 − 𝑥 3
𝑦′ = 4𝑥 − 3𝑥 2 = 1
4𝑥 − 3𝑥 2 = 1
3𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 1 = 0
3𝑥 − 1 𝑥 − 1 = 0
1
x=1,
3
correspondingly,
5
y=1,
27
Using the point-slope form of the straight line, one tangent line that is parallel
to the given line has equation:

y − 1 = 1 𝑥 − 1 𝑜𝑟 𝑦 = 𝑥
and the other
5 1
y− =1 𝑥 − 𝑜𝑟 27𝑥 − 27𝑦 − 4 = 0
27 3

The tangent line to the curve that is perpendicular to the given line will have a
slope m = - 1. To determine the points on the curve where the tangent has slope
m = -1, we solve the equation y’ = -1.

𝑦′ = 4𝑥 − 3𝑥 2 = -1
3𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 − 1 =0
4 ± 4 2 −4(3)(−1) 4± 28 2± 7
𝑥= = =
6 6 3
 References

Calculus, Early Transcendental Functions, by Larson and Edwards

Calculus, Early Transcendentals, by Anton, Bivens and Davis
University Calculus, Early Transcendentals 2nd ed, by Hass, Weir
and Thomas
Differential and Integral Calculus by Love and Rainville