Show that the line y = mx + b is its own tangent line at any point (x₀, mx₀ + b).
2. Intro to Derivatives
Tangent Lines and Derivatives
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In Exercises 83–88, find equations for the lines that are tangent, and the lines that are normal, to the curve at the given point.
(y - x)² = 2x + 4, (6, 2)
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In Exercises 67–72, you will explore some functions and their inverses together with their derivatives and tangent line approximations at specified points. Perform the following steps using your CAS:
d. Find the equation for the tangent line to g at the point (f(x_0), x_0) located symmetrically across the 45° line y=x (which is the graph of the identity function). Use Theorem 1 to find the slope of this tangent line.
68. y= (3x+2)/(2x-11), -2 ≤ x ≤ 2, x_0=1/2
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For what value of c is the curve y = c/ (x + 1) tangent to the line through the points (0, 3) and (5, -2)?
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Find an equation of the line tangent to the graph of f at (a, f(a)) for the given value of a.
f(x) = √x+2; a=7
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21–30. Derivatives
a. Use limits to find the derivative function f' for the following functions f.
f(x) = 1/x+1; a = -1/2;5
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The population of the United States (in millions) by decade is given in the table, where t is the number of years after 1910. These data are plotted and fitted with a smooth curve y = p(t) in the figure. <IMAGE><IMAGE>
Explain why the average rate of growth from 1950 to 1960 is a good approximation to the (instantaneous) rate of growth in 1955.
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A line perpendicular to another line or to a tangent line is often called a normal line. Find an equation of the line perpendicular to the line that is tangent to the following curves at the given point P.
y=3x−4; P(1, −1)
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Derivatives and tangent lines
b. Determine an equation of the line tangent to the graph of f at the point (a,f(a)) for the given value of a.
f(x) = 1/ √x; a= 1/4
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Derivatives and tangent lines
a. For the following functions and values of a, find f′(a).
f(x) = √2x+1; a= 4
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Rates of Change
Speed of a rocket At t sec after liftoff, the height of a rocket is 3t² ft. How fast is the rocket climbing 10 sec after liftoff?
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Analyzing Motion Using Graphs
[Technology Exercise] Exercises 31–34 give the position function s = f(t) of an object moving along the s-axis as a function of time t. Graph f together with the velocity function v(t) = ds/dt = f'(t) and the acceleration function a(t) = d²s/dt² = f''(t). Comment on the object’s behavior in relation to the signs and values of v and a. Include in your commentary such topics as the following:
c. When does it change direction?
s = t² - 3t + 2, 0 ≤ t ≤ 5
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In Exercises 67–72, you will explore some functions and their inverses together with their derivatives and tangent line approximations at specified points. Perform the following steps using your CAS:
e. Plot the functions f and g, the identity, the two tangent lines, and the line segment joining the points (x_0, f(x_0)) and (f(x_0), x_0). Discuss the symmetries you see across the main diagonal y=x.
72. y= 2-x-x³, -2 ≤ x ≤ 2, x_0 = 3/2
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In Exercises 5–10, find an equation for the tangent line to the curve at the given point. Then sketch the curve and tangent line together.
y = (1 / x²), (−1, 1)
- Multiple Choice
Which of the following is an equation of the line tangent to the graph of at ?