Content Starts Here
tangent (graph)
Encyclopaedia Search
Tangent (graph)
In graphs, a straight line that touches a curve and gives the gradient of the curve at the point of contact. At a maximum, minimum, or point of inflection, the tangent to a curve has zero gradient.
To find the gradient of the tangent of the curve at point P, extend the tangent AC and construct the right-angled triangle ABC:
The gradient of the tangent at the point P is
For example, to find the gradient of the curve y = x2 - 2x at the point P(2,0):
See also tangent (trigonometry) and tangent (circle).
© Research Machines plc 2008. All rights reserved. Helicon Publishing is a division of Research Machines plc.
Advertisement starts
Advertisement ends
Related Links
Gambia, The Flag
Red represents the sun. Blue stands for the Gambia river. Green symbolizes agriculture. Effective date: 18 February 1965.
>>
Advertorial
Find out how to buy the things you've always wanted and sell the things you don't on ebay.
Advertisement starts
Advertisement ends
Page Footer
Access keys
You will need to use different key combinations in order to use access keys depending on your internet browser, find out which on our accessibility page.
- (0) Navigate to Accessibility page.
- (1) Navigate to Home page.
- (2) Navigate to My email.
- (3) Navigate to My Account.
- (4) Navigate to Site Map page.
- (5) Navigate to Contact us page.
- (6) Navigate to Members channel.
- (7) Navigate to Services channel.
- (8) Navigate to News & Info channel.
- (9) Navigate to Entertainment channel.
- ([) Skip down to the Primary navigation block.
- (]) Skip down to the more links within this section block.
- (=) Bypass all navigation and jump to the content.
- (x) Text only version of this page.
