Module 5 - Slopeofatangentline
Module 5 - Slopeofatangentline
com
Basic Calculus
Quarter 3 – Module 5:
Slope of the Tangent Line
to a Curve
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Basic Calculus – Grade 11
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 3 – Module 5: Slope of a Tangent Line to the Curve
First Edition, 2020
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Team Leaders:
School Head : Marijoy B. Mendoza, EdD
LRMDS Coordinator : Karl Angelo R. Tabernero
Basic Calculus
Quarter 3 – Module 5:
Slope of the Tangent Line
to a Curve
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Introductory Message
This Self-Learning Module (SLM) is prepared so that you, our dear learners,
can continue your studies and learn while at home. Activities, questions, directions,
exercises, and discussions are carefully stated for you to understand each lesson.
Each SLM is composed of different parts. Each part shall guide you step-bystep
as you discover and understand the lesson prepared for you.
In addition to the material in the main text, Notes to the Teacher are also
provided to our facilitators and parents for strategies and reminders on how they can
best help you on your home-based learning.
Please use this module with care. Do not put unnecessary marks on any part
of this SLM. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises and tests. And
read the instructions carefully before performing each task.
If you have any questions in using this SLM or any difficulty in answering the
tasks in this module, do not hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator.
Thank you.
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This module is designed and written to help you understand the basic concepts of
derivatives.
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What I Know
Let us see what you already know about our lesson. Read and answer the following
questions. Write the letter of your answer on your answer sheets.
3. The slope of a tangent line at (1, 4) is 2. What is the equation of the line?
A. y = x + 2 C. y = 2x + 2
B. y = 2x + 1 D. y = x + 4
4. Which of the following does NOT describe a tangent line at a given point?
A. C.
B. D.
𝑓(𝑥+ℎ)−𝑓(𝑥)
5. In finding the limit of the difference quotient ℎ
, on what value does ℎ
approach?
A. – 1 C. 1
B. 0 D. ∞
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7. What is the derivative of 𝑓(𝑥) = 4𝑥 + 5?
A. 4 C. 1
B. 5 D. 0
𝑑𝑦
A. 𝑑𝑥
C. 𝑦′
B. 𝑓(𝑥) D. 𝐷𝑥𝑦
9. The slope of a tangent line is 0. What can you say about its graph?
A. increasing C. horizontal
B. decreasing D. vertical
B. D.
12. Different techniques are used to evaluate limits which are indeterminate of
type. Which of the following is an established limit?
sin 𝑥 1−cos 𝑥
A. lim 𝑥
=1 C. lim 𝑥
=1
𝑥→0 𝑥→0
𝑒 𝑥 −1 sin 𝑥 2 +cos 𝑥 2
B. lim =0 D. lim =1
𝑥→0 𝑥 𝑥→0 𝑥
B. D.
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14. Which of the following statements is true?
A. A line tangent to a curve may intersect the given curve at more than
one point.
B. Vertical tangent lines do not exist.
C. A line cannot be tangent to itself.
D. Tangent lines drawn at the maximum or minimum points are vertical.
15. Which of the following does NOT define the slope of the tangent line to the
curve?
A. It is constant.
B. It is not constant and must be determined by a point.
C. It is equal the derivative of the function.
D. It is derived from the concept of the slope of a secant line.
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Lesson
Slope of the Tangent Line
1 to a Curve
.
What’s In
One of the famous novels by our national hero Jose P. Rizal is the
1887 “Noli Me Tangere” written during Spanish colonization. Do you know what it
means? Tangere is a Latin word that means “to touch.” This is also where the term
“tangent” was derived. The term tangent was first found in the writings of Danish
mathematician,
Thomas Fincke, in 1583 in the book Geomietria Rotundi (Online Etymology
Dictionary, n.d.)
In addition to these, the slope of the tangent line to a curve plays an important role
in finding the derivative of a function. At the same time, knowledge about limits and
equations of the lines are necessary to identify the slope of a tangent line.
Let us recall these concepts by answering the items below. Write your answers on a
separate sheet of paper.
2. 𝑚 =
3. 𝑚 = −3
C. Evaluate the following limits.
𝑥 3 +8
1. lim 𝑥 3 − 5𝑥 + 4𝑥 + 1 3. lim
𝑥→0 𝑥→−2 𝑥+2
𝑥 2 −4 𝑥 2 +2𝑥−3
2. lim 4. lim 𝑥 2 +7𝑥+12
𝑥→2 𝑥−2 𝑥→3
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What’s New
The Philippines celebrates a town or barrio fiesta honoring different patron saints. It
was organized with different performances, events, activities, and contests. Small
stores were arranged alongside the road wherein different products are sold at a
cheap price. One of the fiesta’s highlights is the nightlife in “peryahan,” where
carnivals are set up with different enjoyable rides like a rollercoaster or a caterpillar.
Have you tried riding a rollercoaster or our local version of a caterpillar? The track of
the caterpillar or roller coaster can be an example of a curve. While riding the
caterpillar the line of sight made by the passenger looking straight ahead and sitting
erect can represent tangent line.
The definition of a tangent line is not that easy to explain without involving limits.
Imagine looking at the curve, like an arc of a circle, to visualize the tangent line at a
given point.
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What is It
A line is tangent to a circle if it intersects the circle at exactly one point (Deauna and
Lamayo, 1999). See the illustration below.
What if the given curve is not a circle? How will we draw the lines tangent to it? Let
us explore these together.
On the curve below, tangent lines are drawn at different points. Visualize drawing the
line tangent to the curve at the remaining point (point A).
Example 1:
What have you observed with the tangent line drawn on the minimum point (point B)
of the curve? How do you think will the tangent line be drawn at the maximum point
(point A) look like?
Example 2:
How about the example below?
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Example 3:
Do you think vertical tangent line may also exist? Take a look at the illustration
below.
From the examples above, we can come up with the following properties of tangent
lines:
1. Tangent lines drawn at the maximum or minimum points are horizontal.
(Example1)
2. Tangent lines drawn to a line, is the line itself. (Example 2)
3. Vertical tangents may exist even for continuous functions. (Example 3)
However, there are cases wherein curves do not have tangent lines at specific points.
The following are these instances.
P P
corner at P cusp at P
Remember that tangent line is a “line” per se. By definition, a line is determined by
two points. How are we going to do that if a tangent touches a graph at exactly one
point? This is where the concept of secant line is important. We can say that the
accurate definition of a tangent line depends on the concept of a secant line.
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To find the tangent line at Point P, there is a need for a second point Q on the curve.
If a Point Q will slide down to point P, it will get closer to point P and the slope of
secant PQ will then approach the value of the slope of line l tangent to the curve at
point P.
This is where the slope of a tangent line is derived. As the difference in the distance
in x gets smaller, the slope of the secant line gets closer and closer to the slope of the
tangent line. Thus, the definition of the slope of a tangent line is shown below.
Since the tangent line is the limiting position of the secant line as Q
approaches P, it follows that the slope of the tangent line at point P is the limit of
the slopes of the secant lines PQ as x approaches 𝑥1 . In symbols,
𝑓(𝑥)−𝑓(𝑥1 )
𝑚𝑡𝑎𝑛 = lim 𝑥−𝑥1
𝑥→𝑥1
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𝑥1 = 2 given x-value
Example 6: Using the same given in Example 5, write the equation of the tangent
line at the given point.
Solution:
To write the equation of the line, we may use the point-slope form of the line,
𝑦 − 𝑦1 = 𝑚(𝑥 − 𝑥1)
As you can see, we need slope (m), and a point (𝑥1, 𝑦1) to write the equation of the
tangent line. Based on the given, we already have the value of the slope of the
tangent line as 𝑚𝑡𝑎𝑛 = 4 and the value of 𝑥1 = 2. To find the value of 𝑦1, substitute
the value of 𝑥1 to the function. That is,
𝑦 = 𝑥2 = 22 = 4
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𝑦 = 4𝑥 − 8 + 4
(Added 4 to both sides of the equation)
𝑦 = 4𝑥 − 4 (Combined like terms)
𝑦 = 𝑥2
𝑦 = 4𝑥 − 4
Example 7: Show that the tangent line to 𝑦 = 3𝑥2 − 12𝑥 + 1 at that point (2, −11) is
horizontal.
Solution:
Given: 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥2 − 12𝑥 + 1
(𝑥1, 𝑦1) = (2, −11)
NOTES:
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Since the obtained value of 𝒎𝒕𝒂𝒏 is 0, then we can say that the line tangent to
(To find the equation of the tangent line, substitute the obtained slope and the given
point to the point-slope form of the line.) 𝑦 − (−11) = 0(𝑥 − 2)
𝑦 − (−11) = 0
𝑦 + 11 = 0
𝑦 = −11
y = 3x 2 − 12x + 1
𝑦 = −11
Example 8: Verify that the tangent line to the line 𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 3 at (1, 5) is the line itself.
Solution:
Given: 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 + 3
(𝑥1, 𝑦1) = (1, 5)
First, compute for the slope of the tangent line.
To write the equation of the tangent, substitute to the point-slope form of the line.
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Observe that the obtained equation is the same as the equation of the given line.
Thus, the line is tangent to itself.
NOTE: The limit definition of the derivative is inherently indeterminate that is, .
Hence, we can use these usual techniques for evaluating limits which are
indeterminate of types: factoring, rationalization or using one of the following
established limits.
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3𝑥
b. 𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥+2
3(1) 3
In this example, 𝑓(1) = = =1
1+2 3
Thus,
c. 𝑓(𝑥) = √𝑥 + 8
Evaluate first 𝑓(1) = √𝑥 + 3 = √1 + 3 = √4 = 2
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* Rationalizing the numerator means multiplying the complex fraction by its conjugate.
(For binomials, this can be obtained by changing the sign of the second term.)
(This definition of derivative may be used if we are tasked only to find the derivative of
the function)
Example 10:
Let 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥2 + 3𝑥 − 1. Use the definition of derivative to find 𝑓′(−1)
Solution:
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Example 11: Let 𝑓(𝑥) = sin 𝑥, find 𝑓′(2𝜋)
Solution:
The concept of the slope of the tangent line can be used to solve real-life problems.
There are lots of things that occur in nature that depend on other factors, especially
time. These are some examples:
For this part, we will distinguish two types of rate of change: average rate of change
and instantaneous rate of change.
The derivative of the function which is the slope of a tangent line to the graph of
𝒇(𝒙) is also interpreted as the instantaneous rate of change.
On the other hand, for a given increment (change) in time the average rate of change
of 𝑓(𝑥) in the interval [𝑡1, 𝑡2]* is defined as:
𝑓(𝑡2 )−𝑓(𝑡1 )
𝑣=
𝑡2 −𝑡1
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How are average and instantaneous rates of change important in real-life?
Example 12:
Sepak Takraw is a sport associated to our traditional native sport “sipa.” This sport
requires agility, flexibility, and strength. It is a sport native to Southeast Asian
countries such as the Philippines.
A Sepak Takraw player kicked a ball at a certain height. Its height (in inches) from
the ground at any time 𝑡 (in seconds) is given by 𝑠(𝑡) = 30 + 20𝑡 − 10𝑡2.
Find:
a. the height at which the ball was kicked
b. the time when the ball hits the ground
c. the average velocity of the ball on the interval [1, 2]
d. the instantaneous velocity at 𝑡 = 1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡 = 2
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Solutions:
a. The height of the ball from the ground before it was kicked is denoted by 𝑡 = 0.
Thus,
𝑠(𝑡) = 30 + 20𝑡 − 10𝑡2 = 30 + 20(0) − 10(0)2 = 30
Therefore, the height of the ball from the ground before it was kicked is
30 inches.
b. The ball is on the ground when the height s of the ball from the ground is 0.
Thus
𝑠(𝑡) = 30 + 20𝑡 − 10𝑡2
0 = 30 + 20𝑡 − 10𝑡2
0 = 10(3 − 𝑡)(1 + 𝑡) (Factored out the trinomial)
3−𝑡=0 1+𝑡=0 (Solve for x)
𝑡=3 𝑡 = −1
Since time is positive, disregard 𝑡 = −1, then we choose t = 3 seconds.
Therefore, the ball hit the ground after 3 seconds.
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e. The instantaneous velocity at any time 𝑡0.
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What’s More
A. Illustrate the line tangent to the following curves at the given
points. Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.
1. 2.
3-5.
B. Find 𝑓′(𝑥) using the definition of the derivative. Write your answers on a
separate sheet of paper.
1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 6𝑥 + 4
2. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥2 − 4𝑥 + 1
3. 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥2 + 8
𝑥
4. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥+4
5. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥3 − 1
C. Find the equation of the tangent line to the following functions at the specified
points if it exists. Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.
1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥2 − 12𝑥 + 1 at the point (0, 1)
2. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥2 + 1 at the point (0,1)
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What I Can Do
A. For each of the following functions, find the indicated derivative using the
definition.
1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 5𝑥 + 12
2. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥2 − 4𝑥 + 1; 𝑓′(2)
𝑥
3. 𝑓(𝑥) = ; 𝑓′(−3)
𝑥+4
B. Solve the following problems. Write your solutions and final answers on a
separate sheet.
1. Find the equations of the tangent and normal lines to the curve
𝑦 = 𝑥2 + 2𝑥 + 3 at 𝑥 = −1. (Note: A normal line is a line perpendicular to the
tangent line at the point of tangency.)
a. Find the average rate of change of y with respect to x over the interval
[1, 3].
b. Find the instantaneous rate of change of y with respect to x at the point
𝑥 = −1.
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Additional Activities
Bataan is known for its mountains and trails such as the Dambana ng Kagitingan and Duhat Trail which
are ideal for history and nature lovers. The slopes of the hills in Duhat trail represent a curve. (Photo
credits: Bataan Weather Page)
2. Aside from mountain ranges and trails, Bataan is known for its beautiful
beaches.
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A tourist threw a pebble in the sea, causing water ripples. The shape formed
were circles increasing in area. The formula for finding the area of a circle is
given by 𝐴 = 𝜋𝑟2.
a. Find the average rate at which the area of a circle changes with r as the
radius increases from 2 to 4 units.
b. Solve for the instantaneous rate at which the area changes with r, when r
= 5.
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References
Department of Education (2013). Basic Calculus. Teachers Guide.
Comandante Jr., Felipe. (2008). Calculus Made Easy For High School Students.
Mandaluyong City: National Bookstore.
Mercado, Jesus P. and Orines, Fernando. (2016). Next Century Mathematics 11 Basic
Calculus. Phoenix Publishing House, Inc.
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