Skip to main content

Questions tagged [tangent-line]

For questions on the tangent line, the unique straight line that is the best linear approximation to a function at a point.

Filter by
Sorted by
Tagged with
-3 votes
0 answers
44 views

Geometry Problem About Tangent [closed]

Let C1:(x-y)²-8(x+y-2)=0 and C2:4x²+9y²=36 be two curves on x-y plane. If A,B be two common points on C1 from where perpendicular tangents are drawn to C2. Then, if coordinates of A(a1,b1) and B(a2,b2)...
Vijay's user avatar
  • 1
-1 votes
0 answers
48 views

Tangent line of a curve [closed]

Without relying on the concept of limits or derivatives, how can I prove that a line is tangent to a curve?
Ahmed's user avatar
  • 752
-2 votes
0 answers
34 views

How do I find the tangent line at the pole of r=5sin(θ)? [closed]

I know that the tangent line at the pole of any polar equation must meet the parameters r=0 and dr/dθ≠0. So, r=5sin(θ)=0 at θ=0,π,2π. Also dr/dθ=5cos(θ), thus dr/dθ≠0 for any of said values. So, I ...
Stephen Proctor's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
39 views

Tangent to the graph of $y = x^3 +x + 16$ passes through the origin. Find the tangent of the angle of inclination of this tangent to the axis oX.

The tangent to the graph of the function $y = x^3 + x + 16$ passes through the origin. Find the tangent of the angle of inclination of this tangent to the axis of the abscissa. As far as I understand, ...
Svyat_Smirnov's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
35 views

"How to Find the Reflection Point on a Circle for the Shortest Path Between Two Points, Satisfying the Law of Reflection?"

It is a Descriptive geometry problem, the solution of which will allow to correctly, graphically draw the reflection of sound (architectural acoustic calculation) from an unknown point on a given ...
Vahagn Ayvazyan's user avatar
1 vote
3 answers
104 views

Given 2 concentric circles, can I find a tangent from a point on the larger circle?

I'm in the process of creating a videogame in which you manage a space station. Spaceships will fly towards the space station to dock with it if the station has what they need and an available docking ...
Frederik's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
40 views

Finding the tangent lines to an ellipse which pass through a point not on the graph

I am struggling to find the tangent lines to the parabola $x^2 + 9y^2 = 36$ which pass through the point $(12,2)$ not on the graph. I've already found one tangent line, that being $y = 2$, because the ...
Matthew Riachi's user avatar
-1 votes
1 answer
95 views

Solving by elimination an analytical geometry question about circles

I came across this question on Quora which has been solved by one of the Quora user. The thing is that he has used the method of elimination to get to the final solution rather than solving it the ...
Isha Roy's user avatar
  • 115
0 votes
0 answers
40 views

How does substitution for change of variables for cubics work?

I'm reading the following set of notes where they prove the following theorem Theorem 5.1.4: The equation of an irreducible cubic with a[t] flex point [..P..?] can be written as $$y^2z = x^3+ ax^2z + ...
Yang Awotwi's user avatar
-2 votes
2 answers
55 views

Need help understanding this tangent line problem [closed]

The problem is, “If the line tangent to the graph of $f$ at $(1, 7)$ goes through $(2, 3)$, which of the following must be true? A. $f’(1) = \frac{1}{4}$ B. $f’(2) = -\frac{1}{4}$ C. $f(2) = 3$ D. $f’(...
Caphin's user avatar
  • 7
0 votes
2 answers
50 views

How do I find the intervals where $h(x)$ has a horizontal tangent line from the graph of $g(x)$ and $f(x)$ (Calculus)

I included the graph to make the question easier to visualize. The question gives $h(x) = f(g(x))$. On what intervals does $h$ have a horizontal tangent line. First, I tried using the chain rule to ...
Caphin's user avatar
  • 7
0 votes
0 answers
23 views

slope of Tangent line perpendicular to line from origin does not equal the derivative

Slope of tangent line at theta=pi/3 and r=2-3cos(theta) I tried finding the slope of the tangent line by using a perpendicular line from the origin and then finding its slope. However, the real answer ...
Arcane Monarch's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
114 views

For all $h\in \mathbb{R}\sim\{0\}$, two distinct tangents be drawn from the point $(2+h,3h-1)$ to the curve $y=x^3-6x^2-a+bx$ then $\frac{a}{b}=?$

If for all $h\in \mathbb{R}\sim\{0\}$, two distinct tangents can be drawn from the points $(2+h,3h-1)$ to the curve $y=x^3-6x^2-a+bx$ then find value of $\frac{a}{b}$ My Attempt If two distinct ...
Maverick's user avatar
  • 9,910
0 votes
1 answer
52 views

To prove Tangent to the circle and Radius are Orthogonal

Prove that without using Proof by Contradiction, Tangent to the Circle and Radius are Perpendicular Here is my try: Consider a circle with Centre $O$ and a Tangent drawn to it at the point $P$ shown ...
EKS Math's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
46 views

Angle between a tangent line and another line

I was solving exercises from Do Carmo’s and one exercise goes: Show that the tangent lines to the regular paramterized curve $\alpha(t)=(3t,2t^2,2t^3)$ make a constant angle with the line $y=0$, $z=x$....
GoGoMath's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
47 views

Curves meeting at a tangent and repeated roots

Hey I came across a question where there was two curves, one defined parametrically: $C_1$: $y=c/t$ , $x=ct$ $C_2$: $(x-\alpha)^2 +(y-\beta)^2=r^2$ One part of the question relied on the fact that ...
johngray's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
50 views

given a point and a circle, find the point(s) on that circle which would have a tangent that intersects the point

I'm trying to find the points on a circle of radius $o_{r}$ that have a tangent line which intersects the point $P_{s}$ BACKGROUND: This is my first post, if i messed something up let me know! I'm ...
Samiyel Frazier's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
70 views

(How) can I determine the point of tangency of $k\cdot x$ and $\sin{x}$?

Is it possible to determine the exact coordinates of the point of tangency of a line through the origin $k\cdot x$ and $\sin{x}$, with a $k$ chosen so there exists a unique point of tangency? The ...
MaxD's user avatar
  • 916
-1 votes
1 answer
117 views

Line tangent to a parabola [closed]

So I was doing some AoPS Alcumus and came across this problem with a weird solution. A quadratic function $p(x)$ has lines of tangency $y=-11x-37$, $y=x-1$, and $y=9x+3$. These lines are tangent to $p$...
RightOnYourLeft911 gates's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
81 views

Prove that the tangents from point $A$ and the tangent from point $B$ to the circle $k_1$ are parallel.

Given is a circle $k$ with diameter $AB$. On it, we choose a point $M$, which is not coincident with $A$ or $B$. Let $k_1$ be the circle that has its center at $M$ and is tangent to the diameter $AB$. ...
user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
72 views

Examining the function.

Given function: $$f(x)=|x+2|e^{-\frac{1}{|x|}}$$ Find constants $a, b$ and $c$ such that $f(x)= ax +b+\frac{c}{x}+ o(\frac 1x)$ when $x \rightarrow +\infty$ and $x \rightarrow -\infty$? Examine the ...
Danilo Jonić's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
23 views

Question on tangent planes and normal lines

PFA the question I am looking at. For this one, I computed that the point P is $(1,1,1)$. Then I find the gradient to the surface and compute it at $(1,1,1)$ which gives me the normal vector to the ...
secretrevaler's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
117 views

Tangent lines equal secant line

Consider a continuous function $f$ with exactly three distinct points $$ x_1(m) < x_2(m) < x_3(m) $$ with slope $m$, meaning $$ \frac{f(x_3(m))-f(x_1(m))}{x_3(m)-x_1(m)}=f'(x_3(m)) = f'(x_2(m)) =...
Uhmm's user avatar
  • 317
1 vote
2 answers
115 views

To derive the equation of the director circle of a standard ellipse using the tangent lines at any two points on the ellipse

I am currently studying conic sections and have encountered the concept of the director circle (or orthoptic circle) of an ellipse"1". The director circle is defined as the locus of points ...
Multiversal Explorers's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
52 views

What is the explanation of these special cases of tangents [closed]

The graph $y = |x|$ has no tangents at $x=0$ since it is not differentiable at that point, but it is possible to draw an infinite number of tangents to the graph at $x=0$, so why does it technically ...
Doodieman360's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
73 views

There is no polynomial p(x) for which there is a single line that is tangent to the graph of p(x) at exactly 100 points.

False. For p(x) with exactly 100 multiple roots the X-axis is such a line. (This is essentially the only way: if y = ax + b is such a line for a polynomial q(x), then the X-axis is such a line for the ...
Ayush tripathi's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
51 views

Tangent definition with a newton raphson question example

I'm very confused about the definition of a tangent, I was told its a straight line that touches a curve at a point, but if extended does not cross the curve at any other point. In this question if u ...
j jose's user avatar
  • 79
0 votes
1 answer
41 views

Significance of tangent passing through the origin in graphical interpretation

(This question was asked in CSIR NET June 2019 examination) A monkey climbs a tree to eat fruits. The amount of energy spent climbing on the different branches has a relationship, as shown in the ...
S.S's user avatar
  • 1,249
1 vote
1 answer
57 views

Lines AM and AN are both the tangent of a circle with the center O, in what situation is OA the bisector of MN?

I've been recently stuck with the corresponding question in the title, after working it out for a while I came up with an answer: You can't. Since AM and AN may be of any length. But my question is, ...
KhodeNima's user avatar
  • 121
0 votes
0 answers
27 views

How many tangents to a curve are there that are parallel to a secant line that passes through two, infinitely close, points on the curve?

In order to find the slope of the tangent to, for example, $f(x) = x^2$ at the point $x = a$, I first look for the slope of the secant line that passes through two infinitely close points $Po(a, f(a))$...
dVirtual's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
102 views

ODE has many tangent solutions

This is perhaps one of the most over-asked questions on this site: say here, or here. However, the answers are not satisfactory, especially of the second assertion. The first assertion is ...
Kadmos's user avatar
  • 2,691
-1 votes
4 answers
358 views

Find the equation of tangent through the point (3,4) on the circle $x^2+y^2 = 9$

radius = 3 Let $y-y_1 = m(x-x_1)$ be the equation of tangent. Since, tangent passes through (3,4) $or,\text{ }y - 4 = m(x - 3)$ $or,\text{ }y - 4 = mx - 3m$ $or,\text{ }mx +y - 3m + 4 = 0$ Thus, ...
Abhishek Kharel's user avatar
2 votes
7 answers
265 views

Is there a more geometrical definition of the tangent line of a curve? based on the intuitive idea that a tangent line only touches at one point

I asked this question to my calculus teacher and it was a frustrating experience, basically he would say, over and over again, that a tangent line at a point is a line that goes through that point and ...
zlaaemi's user avatar
  • 1,391
2 votes
0 answers
106 views

Finding the radius of the circle that is externally tangential to two given circles and the $x$-axis, without trigonometry [duplicate]

Given two circles: $\color{red}{\Gamma_1: x^2+y^2=1}$ $\color{blue}{\Gamma_2: x^2+(y+\frac{1}{2})^2=\frac{1}{4}}$ $\color{green}{\Gamma_3: \dots ?}$ where $\color{green}{\Gamma_3}$ touchs $\color{red}{...
Hussain-Alqatari's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
34 views

Torsion for a 3D curve can be positive or negative, while curvature is always taken to be positive. Why?

$$\frac{dB}{dS} = -\tau N = \tau(-N)$$ $$\frac{dT}{dS} = \kappa N$$ where $\tau$ is the torsion and $\kappa$ is the curvature. $\frac{dT}{dS}$, by convention, is defined to be in the direction of $N$, ...
Sasikuttan's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
60 views

Geometric question on finding the length of the tangent

Consider a circle $ C $ with radius $ r $ and a point $P $ outside the circle. Construct two tangents from $P$ to the circle, touching the circle at points $ A $ and $ B $. Let $ O $ be the center ...
StudyME's user avatar
  • 29
0 votes
0 answers
34 views

Finding perpendicular line at on a curve given only three points

I am working on my thesis and I am out of my depth with the mathematical formula for defining the slope of a perpendicular line for a curve through three points. I do not know anything besides 3 XY ...
OlliM's user avatar
  • 1
2 votes
1 answer
34 views

Extrema of derivate are where tangent crosses the curve.

In this article https://www.jstor.org/stable/2310782 i found this proposition: Let $f$ be a differentiable function defined on an open interval $(a, b)$ containing the point $x_0$. Let: (B) There ...
user791759's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
51 views

Find the normal vector or an ellipsoid given the scale vector?

Each point of a unit sphere is conveniently also its own normal. I am starting with a unit sphere and then multiplying each point by a scale vector to create an ellipsoid. I would like to know the ...
Lorry Laurence mcLarry's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
31 views

Does the Tangent theorem for circumferences hold in the sphere $S^2$? [closed]

I am wondering if a kind of theorem of tangents from a point to a circumference holds in the sphere. The situation that I have in mind is the following. Take two geodesics $\gamma_1$ and $\gamma_2$ ...
Cris's user avatar
  • 113
1 vote
1 answer
46 views

Find the equation of the tangent to a system using implicit function theorem

Here is my system of equations: $C: \begin{cases}x^2 + y^2 +z^2 = 14\\ x^3+y^3+z^3=36 \end{cases}$ Firstly I managed to show that for all $a \in C$, the implicit function theorem applies to express $...
Alex's user avatar
  • 13
0 votes
0 answers
71 views

Calculating angle for line tangent to circle through a point

I have a circle of fixed radius $r$. I have a target that is $x$ units laterally separated from the center of the circle, and $y$ units vertically. I need to calculate the angle $θ$ which is the ...
Phrogz's user avatar
  • 1,870
1 vote
1 answer
77 views

Given a circle and an external point, find the x intercept of the line tangent to the circle and goes through the point.

The equation of the circle is given by $x^2+(y-r)^2=r^2$ where $r$ is the radius. The point is located at the point $(d,h)$. Here is my approach to this: the general equation of all lines that passes ...
Raymond Li's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
39 views

tangential angle of bifoliate

Consider the curve given by polar equation$$r=f(\theta)={8\cos\theta\sin^2\theta\over3+\cos(4\theta)}$$for $\theta$ in $[0,\pi]$. By Mathworld's equation (9) the tangential angle is given by $$\phi(θ) ...
hbghlyj's user avatar
  • 3,735
3 votes
1 answer
49 views

How to construct a parabola that tangent to the function $\max \left\{ {x,0} \right\}$ and lie above it?

What would be the correct way to construct a parabola that tangent to the function $\max \left\{ {x,0} \right\}$ and lies above it? One of the thing that is difficult is that the max function is ...
Tuong Nguyen Minh's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
44 views

Is the parabola the only differentiable convex even curve, such that all vertical lines, reflected on the tangent of the curve, converge into a point?

It is well known in optics that a parabola $y = x^2$ has this very important property for applications: $(P)$ The reflection of all vertical lines on the tangent of the parabola all converge into a ...
Basj's user avatar
  • 1,581
5 votes
2 answers
1k views

Why does it seem like that a tangent line of an odd-degree polynomial function crosses the curve at more than one point?

This question has bothered me for a long time. I know that a tangent line only crosses a curve at one specific point. However, consider this: Let $f(x)=x^3$ The derivative of this function is $f^\...
Napoleon Bonaparte's user avatar
5 votes
0 answers
156 views

A notion of "differentiation" based on secant rather than tangent

Given a differentiable real function $f$, the derivative $f'(x)$ is the slope of the tangent to the graph of $f$ at $(x,f(x))$. Suppose that, instead of the tangent, we look at the secant to the graph ...
Erel Segal-Halevi's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
20 views

Proving an identity of distances about tangent of a locus similar to conchoid

Let $l$ be a line and $A$ be a fixed point. Draw a line through $A$ meeting $l$ at $B$. Take the point $C$ on the half-line $BA$ such that $BC$ equals a given constant. Draw the locus of $C$ (called ...
hbghlyj's user avatar
  • 3,735
2 votes
3 answers
247 views

Circles formed by points of common tangency of two circles

I was playing around in Geogebra with circles and their common tangents. For any two random circles (yellow), I noticed that the four points of tangency of direct common tangents form a circle, and so ...
algorhythm's user avatar

1
2 3 4 5
27