Equation of a Tangent to a Curve (Grade 12 NSC Matric Mathematics): Flashcards

Straight line touching a curve at exactly one point

Curve gradient = tangent gradient at that point

Gradient of the curve at any point

$f'(x)$ evaluated at the point

$y - y_1 = m(x - x_1)$

Line perpendicular to tangent at point of contact

$m_{\text{tangent}} \times m_{\text{normal}} = -1$

$m_{\text{normal}} = -\frac{1}{m_{\text{tangent}}}$

Find the derivative using differentiation rules

Forgetting to find y-coordinate from original function