Swk, MAT-120, 3.

1 Tangent lines and Rates of Change

Tangent Lines and Rates of Change
In this section we are going to take a look at two fairly important problems in the study of calculus. There
are two reasons for looking at these problems now. 

Tangent Lines
The first problem that we’re going to take a look at is the tangent line problem. Before getting into this
problem it would probably be best to define a tangent line.
A tangent line to the function f(x) at the point x=a is a line that just touches the graph of the function at
the point in question and is also “parallel” to the graph at that point. Take a look at the graph below.

If a secant line is drawn between two points, P and Q, on a curve y =

f(x), and if Q is allowed to move along the curve toward P, then the
secant line will rotate toward a limiting position (which is the
tangent line at P).

In this graph the line is a tangent line at the indicated point because it just touches the graph at that
point and is also “parallel” to the graph at that point.  Likewise, at the second point shown, the line
does just touch the graph at that point, but it is not “parallel” to the graph at that point and so it’s not a
tangent line to the graph at that point. At the second point shown (the point where the line isn’t a tangent
line) we will sometimes call the line a secant line.

Average Rate of Change vs. Instantaneous Rate of Change.

Slope of a secant line vs. Slope of a tangent line.
Average velocity vs. Instantaneous velocity
Slope is a rate of change of y with respect to x.

Average rate of change takes place over an interval while instantaneous

rate of change takes place at an instant.

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Consider the function and the point

(a) Find the slope of secant line to the graph of determined by P and point on the graph at

(b) Find the slope of the graph of at the point P.

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Find the average rate of change of with respect to x over the interval
Find the instantaneous rate of change of y with respect to x when
Find the instantaneous rate of change of y with respect to x at a general point
Slope of Tangent Line
This is the next major interpretation of the derivative.  The slope of the tangent line to f(x) at x=a is f’(a).
The tangent line is given by,

Assignment Problems:

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 Swk, MAT-120, 3.1 Tangent lines and Rates of Change
1. A function y=f(x) and an x-value are given f(x)=
(a) Find the slope of the graph of f at a general x-value .
(b) Find the slope of the graph of f at the x-value specified by the given .
2. A function y=f(x) and an x-value are given f(x)=
(a) Find the slope of the graph of f at a general x-value .
(b) Find the slope of the graph of f at the x-value specified by the given .
3. A function y=f(x) and an x-value are given f(x)=
(a) Find the slope of the graph of f at a general x-value .
(b) Find the slope of the graph of f at the x-value specified by the given .
4. A function y=f(x) and an x-value are given f(x)=
(a) Find the slope of the graph of f at a general x-value .
(b) Find the slope of the graph of f at the x-value specified by the given .
5. A spherical balloon is being inflated.
(a) Find a general formula for the instantaneous rate of change of the volume V with respect to the radius
r, given that .
(b) Hence, find the rate of change of V with respect to r at the instant when the radius r=5.

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