Tangents and normals to a curve
Find and graph a tangent

Find and graph a tangent

Consider the function:

\[ f(x) = \frac{x^2 - 2x + 2}{x^3} \]

Suppose you want to graph and have the equation of the tangent to the graph of \( f(x) \) at \( x = 1 \).

  1. Create a new document and select Add Graphs. Enter the function.
  2. Choose an appropriate window. Here, we chose:
    • \( X_{\text{min}} = 0 \)
    • \( X_{\text{max}} = 2 \)
    • \( Y_{\text{min}} = -1 \)
    • \( Y_{\text{max}} = 5 \)
  3. Press Menu Icon, select Geometry > Points & Lines > Point on Graph. Put the point at \( x = 1 \) on the graph.

    Tangent Equation Screenshot

  4. Then press Menu Icon, select Geometry > Points & Lines > Tangent and click on the point created before. The equation of the tangent is also displayed:

    Tangent Equation Screenshot

    Thus, we can read at the bottom that the equation of the tangent to the curve at \( x = 1 \) is \( y = -3x + 4 \) (rounded).