Gradient Function

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Gradient Function

For this investigation, I have to find the relationship between a

point of any non-linear graph and the gradient of the tangent, which

is the gradient function. First of all, I have to define the word,

'Gradient'. Gradient means the slope of a line or a tangent at any

point on a curve. A tangent is basically a line, curve, or surface

that touches another curve but does not cross or intersect it. To find

a gradient, observe the graph below:

[IMAGE][IMAGE]

All you have to do to find the gradient is to divide the change in X

with the change in Y. In this case, on the graph above, AB and you

would have gotten the

BC

gradient for that particular point of the graph.

I am going start by finding the gradient function of y=x², y=2x², and

then y=ax². I will move on finding the gradient function of y=x³,

y=2x³, and finally y=ax³. I will then find the similarities and

generalise y=axâ¿ where 'a' and 'n' are constants, and then investigate

the Gradient function for any curves of my choice.

I will first find the gradient of tangents on the graph y=x² by

drawing the graph (page 3), and then find the gradient for a number of

selected points on the graph:

Point

X

Change in Y

Change in X

Gradient

a

-3

6

-1

-6

b

-2

4

-1

-4

c

-1

2

-1

-2

d

1

2

1

2

e

2

4

1

4

f

3

6

1

6

As you can see, the gradient is always twice the value of its original

X value Where y=x². So the gradient function has to be f `(x)=2x for

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