Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Regional Office IX, Zamboanga Peninsula

11 Zest for Progress

Z Peal of artnership

Basic Calculus
Quarter 3 - Module 4:
The Derivatives as a Slope
of a Tangent Line

Name of Learner: ___________________________

Grade & Section: ___________________________
Name of School: ___________________________
 What I Need to Know
The module contains only one lesson:
• Lesson 4 – The derivatives as a slope of a tangent line

After going through this module, you are expected to:

a. Illustrate the tangent line to the graph of a function at a given point.

b. Apply the definition of the derivative of a function at a given number.
c. Relate the derivative of a function to the slope of the tangent line.

What I Know
DIRECTIONS: Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. How many point/s do the tangent line intersect the graph by illustrating?
A. Four
B. Three
C. Two
D. One

2. What is the representation of the rate of change of one variable in relation to

another at a given point on a function?
A. Derivative of a function
B. Slope of a line
C. Equation of a line
D. Tangent of a line

3. Which of the functions is the definition of the derivatives?

A. f(x) = Lim n + 1 f(x) -1
𝑓(x)−𝑓(𝑥 )
B. fˈ(x0) = lim 𝑥−𝑥 0
𝑥→𝑥0 0
𝑓(x)−𝑓(𝑥)
C. f(x0) = lim
𝑥→𝑥 𝑥−𝑥0
D. f’(x) = Lim n + 1 f(x) –x0

4. What is the value of f(4) in the function f(x) = 6x – 9?

A. 14
B. 15
C. 24
D. 33

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5. What is the derivative of y = x2 – 5x + 8 when we illustrate using the tangent
line?
A. dy/dx = 2x +8
B. dy/dx = 2x + 5
C. dy/dx = 2x - 5
D. dy/dx = 2x – 8

6. What is the slope of the curve by illustrating the tangent line to the graph of a
function at a given point: y= 3x – 5 at (3, 4)?
A. 3
B. 5
C. 6
D. 8

7. What is the slope by illustrating the tangent line to the graph of a function at a
given point: y=x2 – 4x + 6 at (1, 3)?
A. 1
B. -1
C. -3
D. 0

8. What is the value of f’(3) in the function f(x) = 3x + 14

A. 3
B. 4
C. 5
D. 6
9. What is the slope of line tangent to a function
f(x) = 3x2 + 14 at x = -2.
A. 4
B. -12
C. -11
D. 6

10. Which of the following statement is true?

A. The slope of a line can be applied for curves or any non-linear
functions
B. The definition of a tangent line can be applied in finding the slope
of a tangent line.
C. f’(x) = m
D. A function has a general slope

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 What’s In

Activity 1: Fill Me In

This activity will give you an opportunity to review the past lesson.
Directions: Fill in the blanks with the correct answer. Use the word/words inside the
box.

Tangent Line Equation Derivative

Secant Line Point Slope

_______________1. It is a line that intersects the graph at exactly one point.

_______________2. This refer to the illustration: (2, 4).
_______________3. An illustration: y = 4x – 5.
_______________4. It refers to the illustration: dy/dx.
_______________5. It is symbolized by the letter m.

What’s New
Activity 2. Check Me if I’m Right!
Directions: Identify which of the given defines derivatives. Put a check ✔ mark if the
statement defines derivative and put an X if the statement does not define derivatives
Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.

𝑓(x)−𝑓(1)
1. fˈ(1) = lim _______
𝑛→1 𝑥−1
2. f(x) = Lim n + 1 f(x) -1 _______
𝑓(x)−𝑓(a)
3. fˈ(a) = lim _______
𝑛→𝑎 𝑥−1
4. f(x) = x2 + 2x -2 _______
𝑓(x)−𝑓(0)
5. fˈ(0) = lim _______
𝑛→0 𝑥−1

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 What is it

Tangent Line of a Graph

Hi! we will be learning about Basic Concepts of Derivatives. Today, we will focus
our discussion on how to illustrate the tangent line to the graph of a function at a
given point. Are you ready?
Look at the figures below.

The Tangent line to the graph of f at (x0, f(x0))

The tangent line to a graph is a line intersecting the graph at exactly one point. It
is found by constructing the line, through a point that is perpendicular to the segment.

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 The line that intersects at two point is called secant line.

Well, m means the slope of the derivatives dy/dx.

Remember that x = x0.

means the original function.

means the function will add delta x.

For example, f(x) = 3x

To illustrate, f(x + Δx) = 3(x + Δx).

Example #1.

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Example #2.

∴Tangent Line: y−1 = −(x−1)

mTL = −1, so the slope of the normal line is 1.
∴Normal Line: y−1 = (x−1)

Applying the definition of the derivative of a function at a given number

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Example #3:

Compute f ‘(1) for the function f(𝑥) = 3x – 1

Solution.
Here, 𝑥0 is fixed to be equal to 1. Using the definition above,
𝑓(x)−𝑓(1)
fˈ(1) = lim 𝑥−1
𝑛→1
Remember that what we are computing, fˈ(1), is just the slope of the tangent line
to y = f(𝑥) at 𝑥 = 1.

Note that f (1) = 2, so by factoring

Example #4.
Compute f ‘(1) for the function f(𝑥) = 2𝑥 2 + 4
Solution.
Here, f (1) = 6 so again by factoring,

Example #5
2𝑥
Compute f ‘(1) for the function f(𝑥) = 𝑥+1
Solution.
Here, 𝑥0 is fixed to be equal to 1. Using the definition yesterday,
𝑓(x)−𝑓(1)
fˈ(1) = lim 𝑥−1
𝑛→1
We see that f(1) = 1. So, from the definition,
2𝑥
𝑓( )−1
fˈ(1) = lim 𝑥+1
𝑛→1 𝑥−1
We multiply both the numerator and the denominator by
(x + 1) to multiply the complex fraction.

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Example #6:
Compute f ‘(1) for the function f(𝑥) = √𝑥 + 8
Solution.
Here, 𝑥0 is fixed to be equal to 1. Using the same definition,
𝑓(x)−𝑓(1)
fˈ(1) = lim 𝑥−1
𝑛→1
We see that f(1) = 3. Therefore , by rationalizing the numerator (Meaning, multiplying
by √𝑥 + 8 +3

Relate the derivative of a function to the slope of the tangent line.

Let us start with the definition of each.

A derivative of a function is a representation of the rate of change of one variable in

relation to another at a given point on a function.

The slope describes the steepness of a line as a relationship between the change in y –
values for a change in the x – values.

• The derivative of a function and slope of a tangent line, clearly, very similar
ideas. But let’s look at the important difference.
• A function’s derivative is a function and of itself. It may be a constant ( this will
happen if our function is linear) but it may very well change between values of x.
Let 𝑓(x) = x2. Our derivative f’(x) = 2x. If we take a look at the graph of x2, we can
see that for that for each step we take along the curve, the value of y changes more
and more. Between x = 0 and x = 1, y only increases by 1. Between x = 1 and x = 2,
increases by 3. If we keep going with this trend, between x = 2 and x = 3, y increases
by 5. We don’t have a constant change between equally spaced values of x, but
rather y changes by twice as much each step.

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 A slope has the same idea, but can only be used for a line. The slope of a line tells
us how much that line’s y value changes for any given change in x, but we do not use this
term for curve or non-linear functions as by definition, our slope is constant: A line has
always the same slope. Every step we take along the x-axis, the change in our value of y
remains constant. A positive slope indicates that y increase as x increases. A negative
slope implies that y decreases as x increases. And a zero slope implies that y is constant.
We cannot have the slope of a vertical line (as x would never change)

A Function does not have general slope, but rather the slope of a tangent line at
any point. In our above example, since the derivative (2x) is not constant, this tangent line
increases the slope as we walk along the x-axis. We cannot have a slope of y = x2 at x = 2,
but what we can have is the slope of the line tangent to this point which has a slope of 4.
The definition of the derivative is
𝑓(x)−𝑓(𝑥0
f’(x)= lim
𝑛→𝑥0 𝑥−𝑥0

The formula in finding the slope of a tangent line is

𝑓(x)−𝑓(𝑥0
m = lim
𝑛→𝑥0 𝑥−𝑥0

Therefore we can say that f’(x) = m. We can use the definition of the derivative to find
the slope of a tangent line.

Example #7:
Find the slope of the line tangent to f(x) = √𝑥 at x = 4
Solution.
We find the coordinate of x0 = 4: f(x0) = √𝑥0 = √4
= 2. Hence P has coordinates (4,2). Now we look for the slope of the tangent
line. Notice that we have to rationalize the numerator to evaluate the limit.

𝑓(x)−𝑓(𝑥0 𝑓(x)−𝑓(𝑥0
m = lim f’(4) = lim
𝑛→1 𝑥−𝑥0 𝑛→1 𝑥−𝑥0
√𝑥−2 √𝑥+2 √𝑥−2√𝑥+2
= lim . = lim .
𝑛→4 𝑥−4 √𝑥+2 𝑛→4 𝑥−4 √𝑥+2
𝑥−4 𝑥−4
= lim = lim
𝑛→4 (𝑥−4)(√𝑥+2) 𝑛→4 (𝑥−4)(√𝑥+2)
1 1 1 1
= lim = = lim =
𝑛→4 √𝑥+2 4 𝑛→4 √𝑥+2 4

We can use the definition of the derivative to find the slope of a tangent line.
1
Finally, with point P(4,2) and slope m = , the equation of the tangent line is
4
1 𝑥
Y – 2 = 4(x – 4) or y = + 1.
4

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Example #8.
Find the slope intercept form of line tangent to f(𝑥) = 4𝑥 at x = 3.
Solution:
We find the coordinate of x0 = 3: f(x0) = √𝑥0 = 12. Hence P has coordinates (3,12).
Now we look for the slope of the tangent line.
Using the Formula:
𝑓(x)−𝑓(𝑥
m = lim 𝑥−𝑥 0
𝑛→𝑥0 0
4𝑥−12
= lim
𝑛→3 𝑥−3
4(𝑥−3)
= lim
𝑛→3 (𝑥−3)
= lim 4
𝑛→3
m=4

Finally, with point (3,12) and slope m =4, the equation of the tangent line is
Y – 12 = 4(x – 3)
Y – 12 = 4x – 12
y = 4x – 12 + 12
y = 4x

What’s More
Activity 3. Judge me
Directions: State whether the following statement is TRUE or FALSE.
𝑓(x+2)−(3)
1. fˈ(3) = lim is 1. ________
𝑛→3 𝑥−1
𝑓(4x+1)−(5)
2. fˈ(1) = lim is 4. ________
𝑛→1 𝑥−1
𝑓(3𝑥 2 +6)−(9)
3. fˈ(1) = lim is 6. ________
𝑛→1 𝑥−1
𝑓(𝑥 2 −4𝑥+1)−(−3)
4. fˈ(2) = lim is 0. ________
𝑛→2 𝑥−1
𝑓(𝑥 3 +2)−𝑓(7)
5. fˈ(-2) = lim is 12. ________
𝑛→−2 𝑥−1

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 What I Have Learned
Activity 4. “Let’s Find It Out”
Directions: Solve the derivatives of the given functions. Encircle the correct answer.
You can also go interactive, just open the link below.
https://create.kahoot.it/kahoots/my-kahoots
1. What is the derivative of f(x) = x2 – 8x + 12 when you illustrate using tangent?

dy/dx=2x+8 dy/dx=2x – 8 dy/dx = 2x +12 dy/dx=2x - 12

2. What is the derivative of y = 2x2 + 5x – 10

dy/dx=2x + 5 dy/dx=4x+5 dy/dx = 2x - 10 dy/dx=4x-10

3. What is the slope when you illustrate tangent line to the graph of the function y=x3
– 4x + 6 at (2, 3)?

-6 6 8 -8

4. What is the slope when you illustrate tangent line to the graph of the equation
y = 2x2 – 3x + 5 at (2, 4)?
5 3 2 1

5. What is the slope when you illustrate tangent line to the graph of the equation
y = 4 + 2x – x2 at (2, 4)?
-4 -3 -2 -1

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 What I Can Do
Activity 3. “Let’s be connected with each other”
Directions: Compute f’(3) for each of the following function. Then connect item A to item
B by using an arrow.

ITEM A ITEM B
𝑥+6 1
1. f(x) = A.
𝑥 3

3𝑥−5 5
2.f(x) = B.
𝑥+1 7
3. f(x) = √2𝑥 + 3 C.-2
4.f(x) = √6𝑥 + 18 D. 2
10𝑥+5 1
5.f(x) = E.
𝑥+4 2
F. 1

Assessment
Directions: Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1.How many point/s do the tangent line intersect the graph by illustrating?
A. Four
B. Three
C. Two
D. One

2. What is the representation of the rate of change of one variable in relation to another
at a given point on a function?
A. Derivative of a function
B. Slope of a line
C. Equation of a line
D. Tangent of a line

3. Which of the functions is the definition of the derivatives?

C. f(x) = Lim n + 1 f(x) -1
𝑓(x)−𝑓(𝑥 )
D. fˈ(x0) = lim 𝑥−𝑥 0
𝑥→𝑥0 0
𝑓(x)−𝑓(𝑥)
C. f(x0) = lim
𝑥→𝑥 𝑥−𝑥0
D. f’(x) = Lim n + 1 f(x) –x0

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 4. What is the value of f(6) in the function f(x) = 6x – 9?
A. 24
B. 25
C. 27
D. 29

5. What is the derivative of y = x3 + 9x + 10 when we illustrate using the tangent line?

A. dy/dx = 3x2 +10
B. dy/dx = 3x2 - 5
C. dy/dx = 3x2 + 9
D. dy/dx = 2x2 – 8

6. If s(t) is a position of the moving object at time t. The derivative of a function

t s(t)
A. The velocity
B. The acceleration
C. The direction of the motion
D. The speed

7. A ball is shot straight up from a building. Its height (in meters) from the ground at any time t (in
seconds) is given by s(t) = 49 + 35t – 5t2. What is the height of the building?
A. 49 m/s
B. 25 m/s
C. 35 m/s
D. 20 m/s
8. What is the value of f’(2) in the function f(x) = 3x + 14
A. 4
B. 3
C. 6
D. 2

9. What is the slope of line tangent to a function

f(x) = 3x + 14 at x = -2.
A. -3
B. -8
C. -11
D. 3

10. Which of the statements is true?

A. The slope of a line can be applied for curves or any non-linear
functions
B. The definition of a tangent line can be applied in finding the slope
of a tangent line.
C. f’(x) = m
D. A function has a general slope

13
 Additional Activities

Directions: Find the equations given the derivatives. Encircle the letter of your
answer.
1. Which of the illustrative equations that will give a derivative of 10?
A. y = 10x – 20 C. y = 2x5 – 10

B. y = x10 – 5 D. y= 5x2 – 5

2. Which of the illustrative equations that will give a derivative of 2x – 10?

A. y = 2x2 – 10x C. y = x2 - 10x

B. yA.
= x2 + 10x D. y = 10x – 2x2

3. Which of the illustrative equations that will give a slope 10 of the tangent line
to its graph?

A. y = 2x2–2x at(2,3) C. y = 3x2–2x at(1,3)

A.
B. y= 2x2 +2x at(2,3) D. y = 3x2 + 2x at(1,3)

4. Which of the illustrative equations that will give a slope 5 of the tangent line to
its graph?

A. y = 4x2 – 5x at (3, 1) C. y = 2x2 - 2x at (3,1)

B. y = 3x2 – 5x at (3,1) D. y = x2 – x at (3, 1)

5. Which of the illustrative equations that will give a slope 3 of the tangent line to
its graph?

A. y = 4x2 - 5x at (1,2) C. y = 5x2 -6x at (1,2)

B. y=2x2 -3x at (1,2) D. y = 3x2 – 4x at (1,2)

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References
Licuanan, P. et al (2016). Teaching Guide for Senior High School - Basic Calculus.

Published by the Commission on Higher Education, pp. 90 – 107.

Meracado, J. & Fernando B. Orines. (2016). Next Century Mathematics - Basic Calculus.

Published and distributed by Phoenix Publishing House, Inc. pp. 2-44.

https://magoosh.com/hs/ap-calculus/2017/derivative-function-tangent-line/

Development Team
Writer: Ceasar D. Anuddin
Francisco Ramos National High School

Editor/QA: Pede I. Casing

Ivy V. Deiparine
Danniel M. Manlang

Reviewer: Gina I. Lihao

EPS in Mathematics

Illustrator:
Layout Artist:
Management Team:

Evelyn F. Importante
OIC-CID Chief EPS

Dr. Jerry C. Bokingkito

OIC-Assistant Schools Division Superintendent

Dr. Aurelio A. Santisas, CESE

OIC-Assistant Schools Division Superintendent

Dr. Jeanelyn A. Aleman, CESO VI

OIC-Schools Division Superintendent

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