Equation of the Tangent Line

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mathxyz

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Jul 8, 2005
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1) Find the equation of the tangent line to the parabola y = x^2 at the point p(1, 1). What on earth is the tangent line? Is this the line the touches ONE point on the outside of the circle?
 
Hello, mathxyz!

1) Find the equation of the tangent line to the parabola y = x^2 at the point p(1, 1).
What on earth is the tangent line?
Is this the line the touches ONE point on the outside of the circle?
Click to expand...
Evidently, you haven't had Calculus yet.
If that's true, you haven't the proper techniques for solving this problem.
[Well, if you're very familiar with the Differenece Quotient, you might solve it.
Even then, it requires "taking a limit", a topic exclusively from Calculus.]



This is a tangent line to a parabola.
It is a line that shares exactly one point with the parabola.

"Tangents" and "secants" are not used just with circles.
. . They are used for other shapes and curves.
. . A secant line is one that intersects the curve at least twice.
 
ok

I did not know this question lead to calculus and the topic of limits.
Why on earth would my teacher assign such a question for homework?
 
Maybe it's time for an introduction to limits and this is the springboard question.

You have a teacher? The remarkable variety and quantity of questions you post does not indicate that the teacher has much direction or much of a sequential plan. I wonder about the educational premise of the sponsoring institution. Maximum student confusion and dependence?

Odd, indeed.
 
If I were in your class, I would approach your teacher with all these questions. He doesn't seem to be doing his job very well.
 
Hey

My teacher loves to challenge the class with questions he thinks we can answer based on previous math courses taken and his training. There is a section on the board which he calls CHALLENGE QUESTION OF THE WEEK. I think his method is okay for students who do not struggle with math.

The majority of the students in our class are lost, which is very typical of the educational system today. I like Soroban's method of baby-talking students on this website through questions. He is a retired math professor and knows how to teach based on the level of students. My teacher can learn PLENTY from Soroban and several other tutors on this website. Your view?

P.S. There are so many students in our class that must take calculus 1-3 and have no idea how to complete the square or what a quadratic equation can do. Know what I mean?
 
So every question you post is a "challenge question of the week"?
 
jolly

Jolly,

You asked:

"So every question you post is a 'challenge question of the week'"?

My Reply:

Some are and others are homework questions that just don't make sense to me.
 
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