Use slope to find the location of horizontal and vertical tangent lines. Using the derivative of a radical function, the presenter finds the points where the derivative is zero or undefined on a given interval. The 26th in a series of 31 videos shows graphically the location of the horizontal and vertical tangent lines to the function. The resource goes on to interpret the vertical tangent lines in terms of the differentiability of the function.

Concepts

derivatives, differential calculus, tangent lines, horizontal line, horizontal, vertical, vertical lines, slope

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Additional Tags

math

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Instructional Ideas

• Have pupils visually estimate the point on the graph where the tangent line would be horizontal or vertical

Classroom Considerations

• The class should be able to find the values in which a function is not defined
• Individuals need to be comfortable using the product rule and chain rule

• This video is hosted on YouTube

Pros

• Shows all the steps involved in the simplification of the expression
• Explains and justifies the algebraic manipulations

Cons

• None