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 TUTORIAL1 - click on the button above "click here to start" and MAXIMIZE the window obtained.2 - We start with two points P and Q on the graph of function f(x)= sin(x) (a = 1, b = 1, c = 0 and d = 0). Click on the button to make h (the difference in the x-coordinates of P and Q) smaller and notice how the secant through P and Q approaches what we call a tangent line to the graph of f. An important behavior to observe is also the convergence of the slope of the secant PQ to a finite value and that is the slope of the tangent line at x0. 3 - Use the slider to change the coordinate of P and repeat the above experiment. Each time note the geometrical behavior of the secant and the convergence of its slope to a finite value which is called the derivative at that point. 4 - Use the sliders to change a, b, c and d. Each time note the geometrical behavior of the secant and the convergence of its slope to a finite value which is called the derivative at that point. More references on derivatives and differentiation. |