Exercise · ZW-TANGENT-LINE-001 · ★☆☆ Basic

Find the equation of the tangent line to \(f(x)=x^{2}\) at \(x=1\).

Choose one option.

Show answer
  • C. \(y = 2 x - 1\)

Explanation

Compute \(f(1)=1\) and \(f'(x)=2 x\), so \(f'(1)=2\). The line is \(y-f(1)=f'(1)(x-1)\), that is, \(y = 2 x - 1\).

Study Calculus in ZWMath →

Review the concept: Tangent line

The tangent line to the graph of \(f\) at the point \((a,f(a))\) is the line through that point with slope \(f^{\prime}(a)\). It is the best linear approximation of \(f\) near \(a\).

\[y-f(a)=f'(a)\,(x-a)\]

More practice problems: tangent line

ZW-TANGENT-LINE-002 →