Week 4.

3:
Finding The Gradient of
The Tangent Using
Differentiation
JC1
-
Term 2
2023/2024
Learning objective(s):
● Understand the gradient of a curve at a point as the
limit of the gradients of a suitable sequence of chords,
and use the notations f’(x), f’’(x), dy/dx, d^2/dx^2 for
first and second derivatives.
● Use the derivative of x^n (for any rational n), together
with constant multiples, sums, differences of functions,
and of composite functions using the chain rule.
● Apply differentiation to gradients, tangents and
normals, increasing and decreasing functions and rates
of change (including connected rates of change).
Review 1f
Find the derived function in this case.
 Review:
You need to remember this
 Complete Pure
Mathematics 1 for
Cambridge International
AS & A Level 2nd Edition

Page 147 - 149

 Finding The
Gradient of The
Tangent Using
Differentiation
 Example 1 (Finding The Gradient)

Step 1: Find the derivative of the equation of the curve

Step 2: Evaluate the derivative by x value only

 Example 2
(Finding The Coordinates If The Gradient is Given)

Step 1: Step 2:
Differentiate the equation of the Find the y-coordinate by
curve and equate by the substituting the x to the curve
gradient value (Find the x) equation
 Example 3

Step 1:
Find the intersection of the curve and the straight line (equate both equations)
 Example 3 (continued)

Step 2:
Find the derivative of the curve

Step 3:
Evaluate the derivative by x values that you get from step 1
 Any
questions?