B Can you deduce ##\tan(\theta) = \frac {df} {dx}## from this graph?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion explains how to deduce that tan(θ) equals df/dx from a given graph. By drawing a vertical line through point P, a triangle is formed that helps visualize the relationship between the tangent line and the function. The tangent line at point P shares the same derivative as the function at that point, which is a fundamental property of tangents. The rise over run of the triangle corresponds to the sine and cosine of the angle, reinforcing that the tangent of the angle at P is equal to df/dx. The conclusion emphasizes that if line p were not a radius, the slope would not represent the tangent.
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Could someone explain to me how from this graph you can deduce that ##\tan(\theta) = \frac {df} {dx}##.
Thanks

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Draw a vertical line going through point P and consider the triangle made by P, the intersection of the vertical line with the x-axis and the intersection of the tangent with the x axis. Then take into account that a tangent has the same derivative as the function at the point where it touches the function (by definition).
 
I think it's by definition that CP and CQ are the same, line p denotes the circle, which has rise/slide df/dx as sin/cos which is tangent of the angle at P, which is the same angle as the dotted line makes with the x axis. If line p wasn't a radius, the slope would not be tan.
 
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