LESSON 2B: INTUITIVE NOTION OF THE DERIVATIVE –THE

SLOPE OF A TANGENT LINE OF A CURVE

“Do you wish to be great? Then begin by being. Do you desire

to construct a vast and lofty fabric? Think first the foundations
of humility. The higher your structure is to be, the deeper must
be its foundation.”
Saint Augustine

In this lesson, you will be introduced to the relationship of functions to derivative

of the function. Derivative is also an operation just like the four fundamental operations. It
is now high time to connect function to limits to derivation.
The new symbols you will meet are pictures of the abstract terms. Thus, you need
to be familiar with them.

Time frame: Week 2 ( 4 hours)

Performance standard:

Formulate and solve accurately situational problems involving extreme values using the
slope of the tangent line.

Specific Objectives:
At the end of the lesson the learners are expected to:

a. illustrate the tangent line to the graph of a function at a given point

b. applies the definition of the derivative of a function at a given number

c. relate the derivative of a function to the slope of the line
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d. solve problems using limits in solving slope of the line tangent to the
graph.
 Activity 1. Let’s try this!

Remember the slope of

the line? Slope is denoted
as “m”. It is defined as
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!"#$
!&'
. The slope of the line changes when there
is a change in rise, in run or both. Refer to the
figure at the right. The line (in red) shows (x1,
y1) and (x2, y2) as points on the line. Notice
that the rise is y2 – y1 while the run is x2 – x1
in relation to the two points given.
Figure 10

Thus, the slope of the line can be written as

!"#$ 𝑦2 − 𝑦1
m = !%& = 𝑥2 − 𝑥1

In mathematics or even in Physics, we use to take the difference of the two quantities. That
difference is referred to as “ change “. Thus, y2 – y1 is a change in y and x2 – x1.is a change in x.
Further, when we say “change”, mathematically it is represented by this symbol “Δ” called
Delta. It follows that “change in y” can be written as Δy and “change in x” is Δx. Then Slope of
the line can be written as

!"
m = +-##,, +-$$ =
!#

.//.#"0$ #"1$ !"#$

In addition, in Trigonometry the ratio for Tangent is 21324$'0 #"1$
or it can be also !&'
.
Logically, the slope of the line is also the value of Tangent. Therefore,

!"
Tan Ө = =m
!#
 Explanation/elaboration/discussion

Let’s take another look of Figure 10 below. In the graph I added the Δx
for x2 – x1 and Δy for y2 – y1. Check the graph below.

!"#$ +# , +$
The slope of the line is m = = . This formula is taken using the points of the
!%& -# , -$
line which are P1 (x1, y1) and P2 (x2, y2). Refer to the figure again. Notice that if I use the symbol
of function “f” in the two points then it will look like this:
For P1 (x1, y1) it can be written as

[x1, f(x1)] Note: I change y by f(x1)

For P2 (x2, y2) it can be written as

[(x1+ Δx), f(x1+ Δx)] Why?

Note here that instead of writing x2, express it using the Δx. and add Δx to x1.
Thus, for x2 = x1 + Δx. In the function y2 is changed into f(x1 + Δx). Why?
It is because the delta symbol “Δ” is used in taking the derivation. Now
the two points are

[x1, f(x1)] for P1 (x1, y1) , and

[(x1+ Δx), f(x1+ Δx)] for P2 (x2, y2)

 !"#$
Using the slope formula m = = +-#,, +-$ where y2 = f(x1+ Δx), y1 = f(x1),
!%& # $
x2 = (x1+ Δx) and x1= x1 the formula will look like this.

m = +-#,, +-$ = 𝐟 𝒙(𝟏𝒙++𝚫𝐱𝚫𝐱−𝒇( 𝒙𝟏 )

( )
)− 𝒙
or
# $ 𝟏 𝟏

m = 𝐟 𝒙(𝟏𝒙++𝚫𝐱𝚫𝐱−𝒇(
( 𝒙𝟏 )
)
)− 𝒙
Simplifying the denominator, the result is
𝟏 𝟏

𝐟(𝒙𝟏 + 𝚫𝐱)−𝒇( 𝒙𝟏 )
m= 𝒙𝟏 + 𝚫𝐱− 𝒙𝟏

𝐟(𝒙𝟏 + 𝚫𝐱)−𝒇( 𝒙𝟏 )
m= 𝚫𝐱

This formula is dependent upon the value of x1 only, meaning a function of x1.
The formula then is m(x1)= 𝐟 𝒙𝟏+ 𝚫𝐱𝚫𝐱−𝒇( 𝒙𝟏) , but the value of Δx should be identified. Using
( )

the idea of limits, Δx is the change in x (approaching from the left or from the right) and if
solving for y- value, then Δx is approaching zero (0) or Δx→0. Thus,

𝐟(𝒙𝟏 5 𝚫𝐱)6𝒇( 𝒙𝟏 )
m(x1) = lim
12→4 𝚫𝐱

or in general it can be expressed as

𝐟(𝐱5 𝚫𝐱)6𝒇( 𝐱)
m(x) = lim
12→4 𝚫𝐱

7+ 𝐟(𝐱< 𝚫𝐱),𝒇( 𝐱)
What if Tan Ө = 7- = m and m(x1) = lim 𝚫𝐱
?
7-→9
Remember tangent line? A line is tangent if and if it touches the graph at only one point.
Suppose you will determine the slope of the tangent line and its equation given a function. You
𝐟(𝐱< 𝚫𝐱),𝒇( 𝐱)
can use the formula m(x1) = lim 𝚫𝐱
in finding the slope and use the result to find the
7-→9
equation of the linear function.
 Activity 2. Let’s apply this!

Let us apply our understanding

𝐟(𝐱% 𝚫𝐱))𝒇(𝐱)
of the slope of the line using m(x)= 𝚫𝐱
.

Find the equation of the tangent

line passing through (3,1) defined by
f(x)= x2- 4x + 4.

Figure 11 shows the graph of

f(x) = x2- 4x + 4. Point (3,1) is also
identified. The line passing through
(3,1) is the tangent line where its slope
and equation are asked in the problem.
Using the slope formula of

𝐟(𝒙𝟏 < 𝚫𝐱),𝒇( 𝒙𝟏 )

m(x1) = lim 𝚫𝐱
.
7-→9

Notice that if the point given is

(3,1) then the value of x = 3. Remember
the value of 𝐟(𝐱 + 𝚫𝐱) and f(x) is x2- 4x + 4.
Solving for the slope:
Evaluating 𝐟(𝟑 + 𝚫𝐱) = x2- 4x + 4, when x = 3 + Δx gives

f(3 + Δx) = (3 + 𝛥𝑥)@ – 4 (3 + Δx) + 4 simplifying by squaring the binomial

on the first term, then do distributive
in the second term

= 9 + 6 Δx + (Δx)2 – 12 - 4 Δx +4 , Δx is treated as one variable.

Do not separate Δ from x..

Evaluating 𝐟(𝟑) = x2- 4x + 4 gives

= (3)2 -4(3) +4
= 9 -12 + 4
= 1
Putting that in the formula of

𝐟(𝐱< 𝚫𝐱),𝒇( 𝐱)
m(x) = lim 𝚫𝐱
7-→9

[𝟗<𝟔𝚫𝐱<(𝜟𝒙)𝟐 ,𝟏𝟐,𝟒𝜟𝒙< 𝟒],𝟏

m(3) = lim 𝚫𝐱
7-→9

𝟗<𝟔𝚫𝐱<(𝜟𝒙)𝟐 ,𝟏𝟐,𝟒𝜟𝒙< 𝟒,𝟏

m(3) = 𝚫𝐱
, combining similar terms
𝟗,𝟏𝟐<𝟒,𝟏<𝟔𝚫𝐱<(𝜟𝒙)𝟐 ,𝟒𝜟𝒙 𝟎<𝟔𝚫𝐱<(𝜟𝒙)𝟐 ,𝟒𝜟𝒙
= 𝚫𝐱
= 𝚫𝐱

𝟔𝚫𝐱<(𝜟𝒙)𝟐 ,𝟒𝜟𝒙
= 𝚫𝐱
, dividing each term by Δx, the result is

= 6 + Δx – 4. But Δx = 0

=6+0–4
m(3) = 2 This signifies that the slope of the tangent line at (3,1) is 2.

Solving for the equation of the tangent line

+ ,+
Using the slope formula of m = -# , -$ transformed into y2 –y1 = m(𝑥@ − 𝑥J ) where, m
# $
= 2, P2 (3, 1) and P1 (x,y) , the result is

y2 –y1 = m(𝑥@ − 𝑥J )
1 – y = 2 (3 – x) using distributive property at the right side gives
1 – y = 6 -2x transposing -3x to the left and 1 to the right, the result is
2x – y = 6 – 1, combining similar terms
2x – y = 5 The equation of the Tangent Line

How about finding the slope of tangent line and its equation if it passes through (0,4)
(Refer to the figure)?
Solution:
Finding the slope

𝐟(𝐱% 𝚫𝐱))𝒇( 𝐱)
m(0) = lim 𝚫𝐱
+,→.

Note: Point is (0,4) thus x = 0

f(0 + Δx) = (0 + 𝛥𝑥)/ – 4 (0 + Δx) + 4

= (𝛥𝑥)/ – 0 - 4Δx + 4
f(0 + Δx) = (𝛥𝑥)/ - 4Δx + 4
 f(0) = 02- 4(0) + 4,
=0–0+4
=4
[(𝛥𝑥)2 − 4Δx + 4],𝟒
m(0) = lim 𝚫𝐱
7-→9
2
(𝛥𝑥) − 4Δx + 4,𝟒
m(0) = lim 𝚫𝐱
7-→9
2
(𝛥𝑥) − 4Δx
m(0) = 𝚫𝐱
, dividing each term by Δx, the result is

m(0) = 𝛥𝑥 − 4, but Δx =0 thus the result is

m(0) = 0 − 4
m(0) = −𝟒 The slope of the line
Solving the equation of the tangent line passing at (0, 4) using
y2 –y1 = m(𝑥@ − 𝑥J ) , where P2 (0, 4), P1 (x,y) and m = -4
4 – y = -4 ( 0 – x) , simplifying
4 – y = 0 + 4x
4 – y = 4x, transposing –y to the right because 4x is already positive
4 = 4x + y, by symmetry ( if a=b, then b=a)
4x+ y = 4 Equation of the Tangent line

Let’s remember these (Points to remember):

𝐟(𝐱5 𝚫𝐱)6𝒇( 𝐱)
a. m(x) = lim 𝚫𝐱
12→4

7+
b. Tan Ө = 7- = m

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c. y2 –y1 = m(𝑥@ − 𝑥J )

d. Tangent line passes the graph at one and only point.

Let’s see what you have learned (reflection):
What makes you feel negative or positive towards your Basic Calculus right now?
Write it down here.

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