Math Problem Statement

Find the equation tangent to x=tanx y=pi/3

Solution

To find the equation of the tangent line to the curve y=tan(x)y = \tan(x) at the point where x=π3x = \frac{\pi}{3}:

Step 1: Determine the point of tangency

We substitute x=π3x = \frac{\pi}{3} into y=tan(x)y = \tan(x): y=tan(π3)=3.y = \tan\left(\frac{\pi}{3}\right) = \sqrt{3}. Thus, the point of tangency is: (π3,3).\left(\frac{\pi}{3}, \sqrt{3}\right).

Step 2: Find the derivative

The derivative of y=tan(x)y = \tan(x) is: dydx=sec2(x).\frac{dy}{dx} = \sec^2(x). At x=π3x = \frac{\pi}{3}: sec2(π3)=(23)2=43.\sec^2\left(\frac{\pi}{3}\right) = \left( \frac{2}{\sqrt{3}} \right)^2 = \frac{4}{3}.

So the slope of the tangent line is: m=43.m = \frac{4}{3}.

Step 3: Write the equation of the tangent line

Using the point-slope form of the equation of a line: yy1=m(xx1),y - y_1 = m(x - x_1), where (x1,y1)=(π3,3)(x_1, y_1) = \left(\frac{\pi}{3}, \sqrt{3}\right) and m=43m = \frac{4}{3}, we get: y3=43(xπ3).y - \sqrt{3} = \frac{4}{3}\left(x - \frac{\pi}{3}\right).

Simplify: y=43x49π+3.y = \frac{4}{3}x - \frac{4}{9}\pi + \sqrt{3}.

Final Answer:

The equation of the tangent line is: y=43x49π+3.y = \frac{4}{3}x - \frac{4}{9}\pi + \sqrt{3}.


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Related Questions:

  1. What is the slope of a tangent to y=tan(x)y = \tan(x) at x=π/4x = \pi/4?
  2. How do you compute sec2(x)\sec^2(x) for other angles like x=0x = 0 or x=π/6x = \pi/6?
  3. Can you derive the equation of a normal line instead of a tangent?

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Calculus
Differentiation
Trigonometry

Formulas

Derivative of tan(x): d/dx[tan(x)] = sec²(x)
Point-slope form: y - y₁ = m(x - x₁)

Theorems

Differentiation Rules
Trigonometric Identities

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 11-12