Tangent and Normal of a curve

Tangents and Normal: A line touching a curve 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) at

a point (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) is called the tangent to the curve at that
point and its equation is given by
𝑑𝑦
𝑦 − 𝑦1 = (𝑥 − 𝑥1 ).
𝑑𝑥 𝑥1 ,𝑦1

The normal to the curve is the perpendicular to the

tangent at the point and its equation is given as
−1
𝑦 − 𝑦1 = 𝑑𝑦 (𝑥 − 𝑥1 ).
𝑑𝑥 𝑥1 ,𝑦1

The angle of intersection between two curves is the angle

between the tangents to the curves at the point of
intersection.
Find the angle of intersection of the curves 𝑥 2 = 𝑦 and
𝑦 2 = 𝑥.
Solution:
Solving the given equation we have (0,0) and (1,1).
For the curve 𝑦 2 = 𝑥
𝑑𝑦 1
=
𝑑𝑥 2𝑦
and for the curve 𝑥 2 = 𝑦
𝑑𝑦
= 2𝑥
𝑑𝑥
At (0,0), the slope of the tangent to the curve 𝑦 2 = 𝑥 is
parallel to the 𝑦 −axis and the tangent to the curve 𝑥 2 = 𝑦
is parallel to the 𝑥 −axis.
𝜋
∴ Angle of intersection= .
2
At (1,1), the slope of the tangent to the curve 𝑦 2 = 𝑥 is
1
equal to that of 𝑥 2 = 𝑦 is 2.
2
1
𝑚1 − 𝑚2 2− 3
tan 𝜃 = = 2 =
1 + 𝑚1 𝑚2 1 + 1 4
−1
3
𝜃 = tan
4

Example: Find the equation of all the tangents to the curve

𝑦 = cos 𝑥 + 𝑦 , − 2𝜋 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 2𝜋, that are parallel to the line
𝑥 + 2𝑦 = 0.
Solution: For the given curve 𝑦 = cos 𝑥 + 𝑦 ,
𝑑𝑦 sin(𝑥 + 𝑦)
=−
𝑑𝑥 1 + sin(𝑥 + 𝑦)
Since the tangent is parallel to 𝑥 + 2𝑦 = 0, therefore slope of te
1
tangent= − .
2
sin 𝑥+𝑦 1
Therefore − = −
1+sin 𝑥+𝑦 2
∴ sin 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 1
sin2 𝑥 + 𝑦 + cos2 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 𝑦 2 + 1,
∴ 1 = 𝑦2 + 1
∴ 𝑦 = 0.
So we get cos 𝑥 = 0
𝜋
Therefore 𝑥 = 2𝑛 + 1 , 𝑛 = 0, ±1, ±2, …
2
𝜋 3𝜋 𝜋 3𝜋
Thus 𝑥 = ± , ± ....., but 𝑥 = ,𝑥 = − satisfy the equation
2 2 2 2
sin 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 1.
𝜋 3𝜋
Hence the points are ,0 and −
,0 .
2 2
𝜋 1 𝜋
Therefore the equation of tangent at ,0 is 𝑦 − 0 = − 𝑥−
2 2 2
3𝜋 1 3𝜋
and the equation of tangent at − , 0 is 𝑦−0= − 𝑥 + .
2 2 2