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Tangent and Normal 1

The document discusses tangent and normal lines to curves. It provides definitions and formulas for finding slopes of tangent and normal lines. It then gives several examples of finding tangent lines, normal lines, common tangents and points where tangent lines are horizontal or vertical for different curves.

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APS Apoorv prakash singh
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22 views

Tangent and Normal 1

The document discusses tangent and normal lines to curves. It provides definitions and formulas for finding slopes of tangent and normal lines. It then gives several examples of finding tangent lines, normal lines, common tangents and points where tangent lines are horizontal or vertical for different curves.

Uploaded by

APS Apoorv prakash singh
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Tangent and Normal

Tangent
 A tangent T = 0 has been drawn at a point P(x0,y0)

 mtangent = tanθ

We know the slope ‘m’ of the tangent and a


point it passes through (x0,y0)

T: y–y0 = m(x–x0)

Slope ‘m’ is f’(x) at any x


Normal
 The normal ‘N = 0’ is perpendicular to tangent at P(x0,y0)

 mnormal = –1/mtangent

 mnormal = –cotθ

The normal passes through (x0,y0)

We can write its equation using


the slope and the point (x0,y0)
Example
 The points on the curve y3+3x2 = 12y, where the tangent is vertical are?

For vertical tangent, dy/dx = m = ∞

 dx/dy = 0

Differentiating, dx/dy = (12–3y2)/6x

 12–3y2 = 0, i.e., y = ±2

 x = ±4/√3 for y = 2, and for y = –2, x has no value

Therefore, the points are (±4/√3, 2)


Example
 The slope of the tangent (y–x5)2 = x(1+x2)2 at (1,3) is?

Differentiate the curve:

2(y–x5)[dy/dx – 5x4] = (1+x2)2 + 2x(1+x2).2x

At (x,y) = (1,3)

2(3–1)[dy/dx – 5] = (1+1)2 + 8

 dy/dx = 8
Example
 If the line ax+by+c = 0 is a normal to the curve xy = 1, then
prove that the signs of a and b are opposite

Since xy = 1, y = 1/x

 dy/dx = –1/x2

Therefore slope of normal = x2

 –a/b = x2, i.e., a/b < 0

Therefore, a and b are of opposite signs


Example
 The curve y = ax3+bx2+cx+5, touches the X-axis at P(–2,0) and
cuts the Y–axis at Q, where its gradient is 3.
 Find a, b, c

The curve passes through (–2,0) and the X-axis is tangent to it at


(–2,0), also it passes through (0,5), because the constant term is 5.

Also, mQ = 3

dy/dx at (0,5) is 3 and dy/dx at (–2,0) is 0 (slope of X-axis = 0)


Example contd.
dy/dx = 3ax2+bx+c

dy/dx at (0,5) is 3 and dy/dx at (–2,0) is 0

 12a–4b+c = 0 and 3a(0)2+2b+c = 3

Since y = ax3+bx2+cx+5, touches the X-axis at P(–2,0)

 –8a+4b–2c+5 = 0

From these equations: a = –1/2, b = –3/4, c = 3


Example
 If |f(x1)–f(x2)| ≤ (x2–x1)2, for all x1, x2 ϵ R, find the equation of
tangent to the curve y = f(x) at (1,2)

 |f(x1)–f(x2)| ≤ |x2–x1|2

 |{f(x1)–f(x2)}/(x2–x1)| ≤ |x2–x1|

 Limx1→x2|{f(x1)–f(x2)}/(x2–x1)|≤ Limx1→x2|x1–x2|

 |f’(x1)| ≤ 0 ϵx ϵR

i.e., f’(x) = 0
Example contd.
 Since , f’(x1) = 0, f(x) is constant

Therefore, equation of tangent at (1,2) is:

(y–2) = 0(x–1)

y = 2
Example
 Find all the tangents to the curve y = cos(x+y), –2π ≤ x ≤
2π, that are parallel to x+2y = 0

Differentiating the curve: dy/dx = –sin(x+y)[1+ dy/dx]

Since the tangent is parallel to x+2y = 0, dy/dx = –1/2

Keeping dy/dx = –1/2, sin(x+y) = 1

 cos(x+y) = 0, i.e., x+y = π/2


Example contd.
 Since y = cos(x+y) and x+y = π/2

 y = 0 and x = π/2 or –3π/2

Therefore, the points are (π/2, 0) and (–3π/2, 0)

Equations of tangents are:

(y–0) = (–1/2)(x–π/2) and (y–0) = (–1/2)(x + 3π/2)


Example
 Tangents are drawn from the origin to the curve y = sinx.
Prove that their points of contact lie on the curve x2y2 = x2–
y2

Let a point of contact of tangent from origin be (x1,y1)

Since y = sinx

 dy/dx = cosx, i.e., dy/dx at (x1,y1) = cosx1

 Tangent at (x1,y1) is (y–y1) = cosx1(x–x1)


Example contd.
 The line (y–y1) = cosx1(x–x1) passes through (0,0)

 y1 = x1cos(x1) —(1)

Also, y1 = sinx1 since (x1,y1) lies on the curve

 y1 = sin(x1) —(2)

Using cos2(x1) + sin2(x1) = 1,

(y1/x1)2 + y12 = 1, i.e., x12y12 = x12–y12

Therefore, (x1,y1) satisfies x2y2 = x2 – y2


Parametric Representation
 It is often useful to represent a point on a curve parametrically:

For the circle x2+y2 = a2: x = acosθ, y = asinθ

For parabola y2 = 4ax: x = at2, y = 2at

For ellipse x2/a2 + y2/b2: x = acosθ, y = bsinθ

For hyperbola x2/a2 – y2/b2: x = asecθ, y = btanθ

Basically we can make parametric coordinates on our own for a point


on a curve. For example, a point can be assumed as (t,3t3) on the curve
y = 3x3
Example
 On the curve y2 = x3, tangent at P(1,1) meets the curve again
at Q. Find the coordinates of Q

Let the coordinates of Q be (t2, t3)

 mPQ = (t3–1)/(t2–1) = (t2+t+1)/(t+1) —(1)

Also, mPQ = dy/dx for the curve y2 = x3 at (1,1)

For y2 = x3, 2y(dy/dx) = 3x2 —(2)

At (1,1), dy/dx = 3/2


Example contd.
 Solve: (t2+t+1)/(t+1) = 3/2

t = –1/2

Therefore, Q is (1/4, –1/8)


Example
 If px+qy = 1 is normal to the parabola y2 = 4ax, then prove that
ap3+2apq2 = q2

Let a point be P(at2,2at)

The normal at this point is y+tx = 2at+at3

This normal is also px+qy = 1

 t/p = 1/q = 2at+at3/1

From t/p = 1/q: t = p/q and we can put it in 1/q = 2at+at3/1

 1/q = 2a(p/q) +a(p/q)3, i.e., ap3+2apq2 = q2


Common Tangents
 The standard method for solving problems of
common tangents to two curves is write them in
slope form and compare
Example
 For curves y2 = 4ax and x2 = 4ay, find the equation of the
common tangent

Standard tangent to y2 = 4ax is y = mx + a/m —(1)

Standard tangent to x2 = 4ay is y = mx – am2 —(2)

Comparing, a/m = –am2, i.e., m = –1

Therefore, common tangent is y = –x – a


y = 1+(x2/a3)

P(x1,y1)
y = 4√x
N=0
P(x0,y0)
θ

T=0

P(x1,y1)

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