Investigating Patterns In Tangent Slopes
Completion requirements
Opened: Thursday, 25 April 2013, 6:30 PM
You will be using your average rate of change spreadsheet to estimate tangent slopes to three parabolas. You can estimate the tangent slope by using very small values of a in the slope formula 
.
You may also want to verify your estimates using you sketchpad average rate of change tool.
Your parabolas are:
y=x2
y=2x2
y=3x2
Conduct a systematic investigation of the tangent slope for a variety of x values. A sample table of values is shown below.
Identify any patterns you see in the slopes of tangents for each equation. Identify any patterns as they might relate to the equation of the parabolas.When you have completed your investigation, you may answer the questions that follow.
. You may also want to verify your estimates using you sketchpad average rate of change tool.
Your parabolas are:
y=x2
y=2x2
y=3x2
Conduct a systematic investigation of the tangent slope for a variety of x values. A sample table of values is shown below.
Identify any patterns you see in the slopes of tangents for each equation. Identify any patterns as they might relate to the equation of the parabolas.When you have completed your investigation, you may answer the questions that follow.
Attempts allowed: 3
Grading method: Average grade