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Tangents, Normals and Slopes of

Curves A normal to a
curve is a line
Maxima and Minima perpendicular
to a tangent to
the curve.
1
=−

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Steps in finding equation of a tangent line and

Learning Objectives normal line to a curve
At the end of the lesson, students should be able to do the following: 1. Find the first derivative of the ( ). = =
1. Find the slope and equation of the tangent line for a standard 2. Plug value of the indicated point in ’( ) to find the slope of the
parabola and for other curves. tangent at .
2. Find equations of the tangent line and the normal line to the curve. • To get the slope of normal line to the curve, use =−
3. Compute the critical points of a function on an interval. • =
4. Identify the extrema of a function on an interval and classify them • =
as minima and maxima. 3. Plug value into to find coordinate of the tangent point.
4. Combine the slope from step 2 and point from step 3 using the point-
slope formula: − = ( − ), to find the equation for the
tangent line.
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A tangent to a Note:
curve is a line that
touches the curve • When two lines are parallel, their slopes are equal.
=
at one point and
has the same
• When two lines are perpendicular, their slopes are negative reciprocal
slope as the curve to each other.
at that point. 1
=−

• Slope-intercept form: = +
= = −

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Ex 1. Find the equation of the tangent to the curve = − at Critical Points

the point where = 1. is any value of ( , ( )) where the function is defined
= −
=3 −1 but is either not differentiable, or the first derivative at that
point is equal to zero.
= 3(1) −1 where =1
=2 =2
To get the critical points:
= − where =1 1. Find first derivative of the function
= (1) −1 2. Simplify/factor if necessary
=0 1,0 3. Set first derivative equal to zero and solve for

− = ( − )
− 0 = 2( − 1)
= 2 − 2 is the eqn. of the tangent 7 10

Ex 2. Find the equation of the normal to the curve = + 2 at

the point (1,3). Ex3. Find critical points of = +2 + 4.
= +2
= +2 +4
=2 +2
′=3 +4
=2 1 +2 where = 1 = 3 +4
=4 =4 0= 3 +4
=− =−
− ( = − ) where (1,3) 3 +4=0 =0
1 3 = −4
−3=− ( − 1) 4
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1 1 =−
−3=− + 3
4 4 Critical points are = 0, −4/3
=− + is the eqn. of the normal 8 11

Ex 3. Determine the point(s) on the curve = 2 −1 where the

tangent is
a. Parallel to the line = 4 − 2.
b. Perpendicular to the line 2 + − 4 = 0.
A. Tangent line is Parallel to the line = 4 − 2. B. Tangent line is Perpendicular to the line
• If two lines are parallel, their slopes are equal. 2 + − 4 = 0.
= • If two lines are perpendicular, their slopes are negative
= 4 −2 reciprocal to each other : =−
=4 2 + −4= 0
= 2 −1 2 = − +4 (Divide both sides by 2)
′ = 2 2 − 1 (2) =− +2
( )= 8 −4, = 2 −1 ,
where =4 =− =2
=1 = 2 −1 ,
4=8 −4 = 2(1) − 1 ( ) = 8 − 4, = 3/4
4+4= 8 = =1 where =2 = 2(3/4) − 1
8=8 2=8 −4 = = 1/4
=1 Point: 1,1 6=8
3
= Point: , 9 12
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Ex5. Find the maxima and minima of the

curve y = + 4 + 1.

= +4 +1
=2 +4
0= 2 +4
−4 = 2
Note: = −2
• At maxima: Since "( ) = ,
- the slope of the tangent is equal to zero ( / = 0) =2 +4 ℎ
- ’’ < 0 >
′ =2
• At minima:
- the slope of the tangent is equal to zero ( / = 0)
- ’’ > 0 13 < 16

Ex6. Find the maxima and minima of the

To find the maxima and minima
curve = −4 +8 .
1. Find the critical points = −4 +8 ′ = 12 − 24

2. Find the second derivative = 4 − 12 + 8

For =1
If "( ) = , no maxima and minima 0 = 4 − 12 + 8 ′ = 12(1) −24 1 = −12
= 1, −0.73, 2.73 = −4 +8
3. Plug the critical points 1 = (1) −4 1 + 8(1) = 5
4. If positive, function is increasing: minimum = 4 − 12 + 8 Maxima: (1, 5)
> ⇒ (+) = 12 − 24
For = −0.73
5. If negative, function is decreasing: maximum For = 2.73 ′ = 12(−0.73) −24 −0.73 = 23. 9
′ = 12(2.73) −24 2.73 = 34.23 = −4 +8
< ⇒ (−) = −4 +8 −0.73 = (−0.73) −4 −0.73 + 8 −0.73 = −3.99
2.73 = (2.73) −4 2.73 + 8 2.73 = −3.99 Minima: (−0.73, −3.99)
Minima: (2.73, −3.99)

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Exercises: (by pair) (1/2 CW sheet of paper)

Ex4. Find the maxima and minima of the
curve = 5 + 12 − . 1. Find an equation of the tangent line to the curve = + 2, parallel to the
= 5 + 12 − ′ = −6 line = 1 + 3 . Ans. = 3 −
= 12 − 3 2. Given = ( + 2)(2 + 1) ,determine the equation of the tangent and
For =2
= 3 4− ′ = −6 2 = −12
0= 3 4− normal to the curve at = −1. ans. = −3 − 2, = +
= 5 + 12 −
0= 4− 2 = 5 + 12 2 − 2 = 21 3. Find the critical points and determine the maxima and minima of the
=4 Maxima: (2, 21)
following curves:
= ±2
= −2
For
′ = −6 −2 = 12 a) = −2
= 12 − 3 = 5 + 12 −
′ = −6 −2 = 5 + 12 −2 − −2 b) = 2 −9 + 12
= −11
Minima: (−2, −11)
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Exercises:
1. Find the critical points and determine the maxima and minima of
the curve = −4 + 30 − 48 − 1.
2. Determine the equation of the normal to the curve = −4 at (−1,4).
Ans. = − +
3. Determine the equation of the tangent to the curve defined by
= +2 −7 +1 = 2. ans. = 13 − 23
4. Determine the point where the slope of the tangent to the curve
= + 2 + 1 is equal to zero. ans. (-3, -2)
5. Find the slope of the curve + − 12 + 4 − 5 = 0 at (0,1).
6. If =4 , .

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