Introducing Derivatives - The Slope Function
Back to school...
- Move point A along the function graph and make a conjecture about the shape of the path of point S, which corresponds to the slope function.
- Turn on the
trace of point S. Move point A to check your conjecture. Hint: Right-click point S (MacOS: Ctrl-click, tablet: long tap) and select
Trace on.
- Find the equation of the resulting slope function and enter it into the Input Bar using g(x)=... Move point A along the graph of function f. If your prediction is correct, the trace of point S will match the graph of your function g.
- Change the equation of the initial polynomial f to produce a new problem. For example, enter
f(x)= 2 x²
into the Input Bar. Hint: You might want to zoom if point A lays outside of the visible area after changing the function.
Instructions
1. | ![]() | Enter the polynomial f(x) = x^2/2 + 1. |
2. | ![]() | Create a new point A on function f. Hint: Point A can only be moved along the function. |
3. | ![]() | Create tangent a to function f through point A. |
4. | ![]() | Create the slope of tangent a using m = Slope(a). |
5. | ![]() | Define point S: S = (x(A), m).
Hint: x(A) gives you the x-coordinate of point A. |
6. | ![]() | Connect points A and S using a segment. |
7. | ![]() | Turn on the trace of point S. Hint: Right-click point S (MacOS: Ctrl-click, tablet: long click) and select Trace on. |