MATHEMATI CS 299

Notes
MODULE - V
Calculus
Tangents and Normals
24
TANGENTS AND NORMALS
In the previous lesson, you have learnt that the slope of a line is the tangent of the angle which
this line makes with the positive direction of x-axis. It is denoted by the letter 'm'. Thus, if is
the angle which a line makes with the positive direction of x-axis, then m is given by tan .
You have also learnt that the slope m of a line, passing through two points ( )
1 1
x , y and ( )
2 2
x , y is
given by
2 1
2 1
y y
m
x x

In this lesson, we shall find the equations of tangents and normals to different curves, using the
knowledge of differential calculus. We shall also study about Rolle's Theorem and Mean Value
Theorems and their applications.
OBJECTIVES
After studying this lesson, you will be able to :
define tangent and normal to a curve (graph of a function) at a point;
find equations of tangents and normals to a curve under given conditions;
state Rolle's Theorem and Lagrange's Mean Value Theorem; and
test the validity of the above theorems and apply them to solve problems.
EXPECTED BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge of coordinate Geometry
Concept of tangent and normal to a curve
Concept of diferential coefficient of various functions
Geometrical meaning of derivative of a function at a point
MATHEMATI CS
Notes
MODULE - V
Calculus
300
Tangents and Normals
24.1 SLOPE OF TANGENT AND NORMAL
Let ( ) y f x be a continuous curve and let
( )
1 1
P x , y be a point on it then the slope PT at
( )
1 1
P x , y is given by
( )
1 1
dy
at x , y
dx
_

,
....(i)
and (i) is equal to tan

We know that a normal to a curve is a line

perpendicular to the tangent at the point of contact
We know that
2

+
(From Fig. 24.1)

tan tan cot
2
_
+

,

1
tan

Slope of normal
1 1
dy m
dx

_

,
at ( )
1 1
x , y or
dx
dy
_

,
at ( )
1 1
x , y
Note
1. The tangent to a curve at any point will be parallel to x-axis if
0
, i.e, the derivative
at the point will be zero.
i.e.
dx
dy
_

,
at ( )
1 1
x , y 0
2. The tangent at a point to the curve ( ) y f x will be parallel to y-axis if
dy
0
dx
at that
point.
Let us consider some examples :
Example 24.1 Find the slope of tangent and normal to the curve
2 3 2
x x 3xy y 5 + + +
at (1, 1)
Solution : The equation of the curve is
2 3 2
x x 3xy y 5 + + +
.....(i)
Differentialing (i),w.r.t. x, we get
Fig. 24.1
MATHEMATI CS 301
Notes
MODULE - V
Calculus
Tangents and Normals
2
dy dy
2x 3x 3 x y.1 2y 0
dx dx
1
+ + + +
1
]
.....(ii)
Substituting x 1, y 1 , in (ii), we get

dy dy
2 1 3 1 3 1 2 0
dx dx
1
+ + + +
1
]
or
dy
5 8
dx


dy 8
dx 5

The slope of tangent to the curve at (1, 1) is
8
5

The slope of normal to the curve at (1, 1) is

5
8
Example 24.2 Show that the tangents to the curve
5 3
1
y 3x 2x 3x
6
1
+
]
at the points x 3 t are parallel.
Solution : The equation of the curve is
5 3
3x 2x 3x
y
6
+
.....(i)
Differentiating (i) w.r.t. x, we get
( )
4 2
15x 6x 3
dy
dx 6
+

( ) ( )
4 2
x 3
15 3 6 3 3
dy
at
dx 6
1
+
1
_ ]

,
[ ]
1
15 9 9 54 3
6
+
[ ]
3
405 17 211
6
+

( ) ( )
4 2
dy 1
atx 3 15 3 6 3 3
dx 6
_
1
+

1
]
,
= 2111
The tangents to the curve at
x 3 t
are parallel as the slopes at
x 3 t
are equal.
Example 24.3 The slope of the curve
3 2
6y px q +
at ( ) 2, 2 is
1
6
.
Find the values of p and q.
Solution : The equation of the curve is
3 2
6y px q +
.....(i)
MATHEMATI CS
Notes
MODULE - V
Calculus
302
Tangents and Normals
Differentiating (i) w.r.t. x, we get

2
dy
18y 2px
dx

.....(ii)
Putting x 2, y 2, we get
( )
2
dy
18 2 2p 2 4p
dx

dy p
dx 18

It is given equal to
1
6

1 p
p 3
6 18

The equation of curve becomes
3 2
6y 3x q +
Also, the point (2, 2) lies on the curve

( ) ( )
3 2
6 2 3 2 q +
48 12 q or q 60
The value of p = 3, q 60
CHECK YOUR PROGRESS 24.1
1. Find the slopes of tangents and normals to each of the curves at the given points :
(i)
3
y x 2x at x 2 (ii)
2 2
x 3y y 5 + + at ( 1, 1 )
(iii) ( ) x a sin , ( ) y a 1 cos at
2

2. Find the values of p and q if the slope of the tangent to the curve xy px qy 2 + + at
(1, 1) is 2.
3. Find the points on the curve
2 2
x y 18 +
at which the tangents are parallel to the line
x+y = 3.
4. At what points on the curve
2
y x 4x 5 +
is the tangent perpendiculat to the line
2y x 7 0 + .
24.2 EQUATIONS OF TANGENT AND NORMAL TO A CURVE
We know that the equation of a line passing through a point ( )
1 1
x , y and with slope m is
MATHEMATI CS 303
Notes
MODULE - V
Calculus
Tangents and Normals
( )
1 1
y y m x x
As discussed in the section before, the slope of tangent to the curve y = f (x) at ( )
1 1
x , y is given
by
dy
dx
_

,
at ( )
1 1
x , y and that of normal is
( )
1 1
dx
at x , y
dy
_

,
Equation of tangent to the curve y = f (x) at the point ( )
1 1
x , y is
( )
[ ]
1 1
x ,y
1 1
dy
y y x x
dx

_


,
And, the equation of normal to the curve y = f(x) at the point ( )
1 1
x , y is
( )
1 1
x , y
1 1
1
y y x x
dy
dx

1

]


,
Note
(i) The equation of tangent to a curve is parallel to x-axis if
( )
x ,y
1 1
dy
0
dx
_

,
. In that case
the equation of tangent is
1
y y .
(ii) In case
( )
x ,y
1 1
dy
dx
_


,
, the tangent at
( )
1 1
x , y is parallel to y axis and its
equation is
1
x x
Let us take some examples and illustrate
Example 24.4 Find the equation of the tangent and normal to the circle
2 2
x y 25 + at the
point (4, 3)
Solution : The equation of circle is

2 2
x y 25 +
....(i)
Differentialing (1), w.r.t. x, we get

dy
2x 2y 0
dx
+

dy x
dx y

( ) 4,3
dy 4
at
dx 3
_


,
MATHEMATI CS
Notes
MODULE - V
Calculus
304
Tangents and Normals
Equation of tangent to the circle at (4, 3) is
( )
4
y 3 x 4
3

or ( ) ( ) 4 x 4 3 y 3 0 + or, 4x 3y 25 +
Also, slope of the normal
( ) 4,3
1 3
dy 4
dx

_

,
Equation of the normal to the circle at (4,3) is
( )
3
y 3 x 4
4

or 4y 12 3x 12
3x 4y
Equation of the tangent to the circle at (4,3) is 4x+3y = 25
Equation of the normal to the circle at (4,3) is 3x = 4y
Example 24.5 Find the equation of the tangent and normal to the curve
2 2
16x 9y 144 +
at
the point ( )
1 1
x , y where
1
y 0 > and
1
x 2
Solution : The equation of curve is
2 2
16x 9y 144 +
.....(i)
Differentiating (i), w.r.t. x we get

dy
32x 18y 0
dx
+
or
dy 16x
dx 9y

As
1
x 2 and ( )
1 1
x , y lies on the curve

( )
( )
2 2
16 2 9 y 144 +

2
80
y
9

4
y 5
3
t
As
1
y 0 >
4
y 5
3

Equation of the tangent to the curve at

4
2, 5
3
_

,
is
MATHEMATI CS 305
Notes
MODULE - V
Calculus
Tangents and Normals
[ ]
4 5
at 2,
3
4 16x
y 5 x 2
3 9y
_


,
_


,
or
( )
4 16 2 3
y 5 x 2
3 9 4 5

or
( )
4 8
y 5 x 2 0
3 3 5
+
or ( )
4
3 5y 5 3 5 8 x 2 0
3
+
3 5y 20 8x 16 0 + or 3 5y 8x 36 +
Also, equation of the normal to the curve at
4
2, 5
3
_

,
is
[ ]
4
at 2, 5
3
4 9y
y 5 x 2
3 16x
_

,
_


,
( )
4 9 2 5
y 5 x 2
3 16 3

( )
4 3 5
y 5 x 2
3 8

( ) 3 8(y) 32 5 9 5 x 2
24y 32 5 9 5 x 18 5 or 9 5x 24y 14 5 0 +
Example 24.6 Find the points on the curve
2 2
x y
1
9 16
at which the tangents are parallel
to x-axis.
Solution : The equation of the curve is
2 2
x y
1
9 16
....(i)
Differentiating (i) w.r.t. x we get

2x 2y dy
0
9 16 dx

or
dy 16x
dx 9y

For tangent to be parallel to x-axis,

dy
0
dx

MATHEMATI CS
Notes
MODULE - V
Calculus
306
Tangents and Normals

16x
0
9y
x = 0
Putting x = 0 in (i), we get
2
y 16
y 4i t
This implies that there are no real points at which the tangent to
2 2
x y
1
9 16
is parallel to x-
axis.
Example 24.7 Find the equation of all lines having slope 4 that are tangents to the curve
1
y
x 1

Solution :
1
y
x 1

.....(i)

2
dy 1
dx
(x 1)

It is given equal to 4

2
1
4
(x 1)

( )
2
1
x 1
4

1 3 1
x 1 x ,
2 2 2
t
Substituting
1
x
2
in (i), we get
1 1
y 2
1 1
1
2 2


When
3
x , y 2
2

The points are
3 1
, 2 , , 2
2 2
_ _

, ,
The equations of tangents are
(a)
3
y 2 4 x
2
_


,
y 2 4x 6 + or 4x y 8 +
(b)
1
y 2 4 x
2
_
+

,
y 2 4x 2 + + or 4x y 0 +
MATHEMATI CS 307
Notes
MODULE - V
Calculus
Tangents and Normals
Example 24.8 Find the equation of the normal to the curve
3
y x
at (2 , 8 )
Solution :
3
y x
2
dy
3x
dx

atx 2
dy
12
dx

_

,
Slope of the normal
1
12

Equation of the normal is
( )
1
y 8 x 2
12

or 12(y 8) (x 2) 0 + or x 12y 98 +
CHECK YOUR PROGRESS 24.2
1. Find the equation of the tangent and normal at the indicated points :
(i)
4 3 2
y x 6x 13x 10x 5 + +
at (0, 5)
(ii)
2
y x
at ( ) 1, 1
(iii)
3
y x 3x 2 +
at the point whose xcoordinate is 3
2. Find the equation of the targent to the ellipse
2 2
2 2
x y
1
a b
+
at ( )
1 1
x , y
3. Find the equation of the tangent to the hyperbola
2 2
2 2
x y
1
a b

at ( )
0 0
x , y
4. Find the equation of normals to the curve
3
y x 2x 6 + +
which are parallel to the line x 14y 4 0 + +
5. Prove that the curves
2
x y
and xy k cut at right angles if
2
8k 1
24.3 ROLLE'S THEOREM
Let us now study an important theorem which reveals that between two points a and b on the
graph of y = f ( x) with equal ordinates f (a) and f (b), there exists at least one point c such that
the tangent at [c,f(c)] is parallel to x-axis. (see Fig. 24.2).
MATHEMATI CS
Notes
MODULE - V
Calculus
308
Tangents and Normals
Fig. 24.2
24.3.1 Mathematical formulation of Rolle's Theorem
Let f be a real function defined in the closed interval [a, b] such that
(i) f is continuous in the closed interval [ a, b ]
(ii) f is differentiable in the open inteval ( a, b )
(iii) f (a) = f (b)
Then there is at least one point c in the open inteval (a, b) such that f '(c) 0
Remarks
(i) The remarks "at least one point" says that there can be more than one point ( ) c a , b such
that ( )
f ' c 0
.
(ii) The condition of continuity of f on [a, b] is essential and can not be relaxed
(iii) The condition of differentiability of f on ( a,b ) is also essential and can not be relaxed.
For example f(x) | x | , x [ 1,1] is continuous on [1,1] and differentiable on (1, 1) and
Rolle's Theorem is valid for this
Let us take some examples
Example 24.9 Verify Rolle's for the function
f(x) x(x 1)(x 2), x [0,2]
Solution : f(x) x(x 1)(x 2)

3 2
x 3x 2x +
(i) f (x) is a polynomial function and hence continuous in [0, 2]
(ii) f (x) is differentiable on (0,2)
(iii) Also f (0) = 0 and f (2) = 0
MATHEMATI CS 309
Notes
MODULE - V
Calculus
Tangents and Normals
f(0) f(2)
All the conditions of Rolle's theorem are satisfied.
Also,
2
f '(x) 3x 6x 2 +
f '(c) 0 gives
2
3c 6c 2 0 +
6 36 24
c
6
t

1
c 1
3
t
We see that both the values of c lie in (0, 2)
Example 24.10 Discuss the applicability of Rolle's Theorem for
f(x) s i nx si n2x , [ ] x 0, ....(i)
(i) is a sine function. It is continuous and differentiable on ( ) 0,
Again, we have, ( ) f 0 0 and ( ) f 0
( ) ( ) f f 0 0
All the conditions of Rolle's theorem are satisfied
Now
2
f '(c) 2 2cos c 1 cosc 0
1

]
or
2
4cos c cosc 2 0

1 1 32
cos c
8
t +

1 33
8
t

As
33 6 <

7
cosc 0.875
8
<
which shows that c lies between 0 and
CHECK YOUR PROGRESS 24.3
Verify Rolle's Theorem for each of the following functions :
(i)
3 2
x 5x
f(x) 2x
3 3
+ , x [0,3] (ii)
2
f(x) x 1
on [1, 1]
(iii) f(x) s i nx cosx 1 + on
0,
2

_

,
(iv)
( )
( )
2
f(x) x 1 x 2 on [ 1,2]
MATHEMATI CS
Notes
MODULE - V
Calculus
310
Tangents and Normals
24.4 LANGRANGE'S MEAN VALUE THEOREM
This theorem improves the result of Rolle's Theorem saying that it is not necessary that tangent
may be parallel to x-axis. This theorem says that the tangent is parallel to the line joining the end
points of the curve. In other words, this theorem says that there always exists a point on the
graph, where the tangent is parallel to the line joining the end-points of the graph.
24.4.1 Mathematical Formulation of the Theorem
Let f be a real valued function defined on the closed interval [a, b] such that
(a) f is continuous on [a, b], and
(b) f is differentiable in (a, b)
(c) f (b)

f (a)
then there exists a point c in the open interval (a, b) such that
f(b) f(a)
f '(c)
b a

Remarks
When f (b) = f (a), f '(c) = 0 and the theorem reduces to Rolle's Theorem
Let us consider some examples
Example 24.11 Verify Langrange's Mean value theorem for
f(x) (x 3)(x 6)(x 9) on [3, 5]
Solution : f(x) (x 3)(x 6)(x 9)

2
(x 3)(x 15x 54) +
or
3 2
f(x) x 18x 99x 162 +
...(i)
(i) is a polynomial function and hence continuous and differentiable in the given interval
Here, f(3) 0, f(5) (2)(1)( 4) 8
f(3) f(5)
All the conditions of Mean value Theorem are satisfied

f(5) f(3) 8 0
f '(c) 4
5 3 2

Now
2
f '(x) 3x 36x 99 +

2
3c 36c 99 4 +
or
2
3c 36c 95 0 +

36 1296 1140 36 12.5
c
6 6
t t

= 8.08 or 3.9
c 3.9 (3,5)
Langranges mean value theorem is verified
MATHEMATI CS 311
Notes
MODULE - V
Calculus
Tangents and Normals
Example 24.12 Find a point on the parabola
( )
2
y x 4 where the tangent is parallel to the
chord joining ( ) 4, 0 and ( ) 5,1
Solution : Slope of the tangent to the given curve at any point is given by( ) f '(x) at that point.
( ) f '(x) 2 x 4
Slope of the chord joining ( ) 4, 0 and ( ) 5,1 is
1 0
1
5 4

2 1
2 1
y y
m
x x
1

]
Q
According to mean value theorem
( )
2 x 4 1
or ( )
1
x 4
2


9
x
2

which lies between 4 and 5

Now
( )
2
y x 4
When
2
9 9 1
x , y 4
2 2 4
_


,
The required point is
9 1
,
2 4
_

,
CHECK YOUR PROGRESS 24.4
1. Check the applicability of Mean Value Theorem for each of the following functions :
(i)
2
f(x) 3x 4
on [2,3] (ii) f(x) l o g x on [1,2]
(iii)
1
f(x) x
x
+
on [1,3] (iv)
3 2
f(x) x 2x x 3 +
on [0,1]
2. Find a point on the parabola
( )
2
y x 3 + , where the tangent is parallel to the chord
joining ( ) 3, 0 and ( ) 4,1
MATHEMATI CS
Notes
MODULE - V
Calculus
312
Tangents and Normals
The equation of tangent at ( )
1 1
x , y to the curve y f(x) is given by
[ ]
( )
{ }
1 1
at x , y
1 1
y y f '(x) x x
The equation of normal at ( )
1 1
x , y to the curve y f(x) is given by
( )
( )
( )
1 1
x ,y
1 1
1
y y x x
f ' x
1

1
]
The equation of tangent to a curve y f(x) at ( )
1 1
x , y and parallel to x-axis is
given by
1
y y and parallel to y-axis is given by
1
x x
Rolle's Theorem states : If f (x) is a function which is
(i) continuous in the closed interval [a,b]
(ii) differentiable in the open interval (a,b)
(iii) f(a) f(b)
then there exists a point c in (a,b) such that f '(c) = 0
Lagranges Mean Value Theorem states that if f (x) is a function which is
(i) continuous in the closed interval [a,b]
(ii) differentiable in the open interval (a,b)
(iii) f(b) f(a)
then there exists a point c in (a,b) such that
f(b) f(a)
f '(c)
b a

l http://www.wikipedia.org
l http://mathworld.wolfram.com


TERMINAL EXERCISE
1. Find the slopes of tangents and normals to each of the following curves at the indicated
points :
LET US SUM UP
SUPPORTIVE WEB SITES
MATHEMATI CS 313
Notes
MODULE - V
Calculus
Tangents and Normals
(i) y x at x=9 (ii)
3
y x x +
at x = 2
(iii) x a( sin ) , y a(1 cos ) + at
2

(iv)
2
y 2x cos x +
at x = 0 (v) xy 6 at (1,6)
2. Find the equations of tangent and normal to the curve

3
x acos
,
3
y asi n
at
4

3. Find the point on the curve

2 2
x y
1
9 16
at which the tangents are parallel to y-axis.
4. Find the equation of the tangents to the curve
2
y x 2x 5 +
, (i) which is parallel to the line 2x y 7 0 + + (ii) which is perpendicular
to the line 5(y 3x) 12
5. Show that the tangents to the curve
3
y 7x 11 +
at the points x = 2 and
x 2
are
parallel
6. Find the equation of normal at the point
( )
2 3
am ,am to the curve
2 3
ay x
7. Verify Rolle's Theorem for each of the following functions:
(i) ( )
( )
( )
2
f x x 1 x 2 on [ ] 1, 2 (ii) ( )
( ) x x 2
f x
x 1

on [ ] 0, 2
(iii) ( )
2
8x
f x 2x
3
,
3
x 0,
4
1

1
]
8. If Rolle's theorem holds for
( ) [ ]
3 2
f x x bx ax, x 1, 3 + + with
1
c 2
3
+
, find the
values of a and b.
9. Verify Mean Value Theorem for each of the following functions.
(i)
( )
2 2
f x ax bx cx d + + + on [ ] 0,1 (ii) ( )
1
f x
4x 1

+
on [ ] 1, 4
(iii)
( )
2
y x 3 + on [ ] 4, 3
10. Find a point on the parabola
( ) ( )
2
f x x 3 , where the tangent is parallel to the chord
joining the points ( ) 3, 0 and ( ) 4,1
MATHEMATI CS
Notes
MODULE - V
Calculus
314
Tangents and Normals
ANSWERS
CHECK YOUR PROGRESS 24.1
1. (i) 10,
1
10

(ii)
2
5

,
5
2
(iii) 1, 1
2. p 5, q 4 3. ( 3, 3 ), ( 3, 3 ) 4. ( 3, 2 )
CHECK YOUR PROGRESS 24.2
1. Tangent Normal
(i) y 10x 5 + x 10y 50 0 +
(ii) 2x y 1 x 2y 3 0 +
(iii) 24x y 52 x 24y 483 +
2.
1 1
2 2
xx yy
1
a b
+
3.
0 0
2 2
xx yy
1
a b

4. x 14y 254 0, x 14y 86 0 + + +
CHECK YOUR PROGRESS 24.3
(i)
5 7
c
3
t
(ii)
c 0
(iii)
c
4

(iv)
2 7
c
3
t

CHECK YOUR PROGRESS 24.4

1. (i)
c 2.5
(ii)
2
e
c 1/log (iii) c 3 (iv)
1
c
3

2.
43 1
,
14 196
_

,
TERMINAL EXRCISE
1. (i)
1
, 6
6

(ii)
1
13,
13
(iii)1, 1 (iv) 0, not defined (v)
1
6,
6

2. ( ) 2 2 x y a; x y 0 + + 3. ( ) ( ) 3, 0 , 3, 0
4. (i) 2x y 5 0 + (ii)12x 36y 155 +
6.
( )
2 2
2x 3my am 2 3m 0 + +
7.
2 7
c
3
t
(ii) At no real point (iii)
3
c
8

8.
a 11
,
b 6
9. (i)
1
c
2

(ii) Not applicable (iii)

1
c
2

10.
7 1
,
2 4
_

,