To find the slope of a tangent line, it's essential to understand that only straight lines have a constant slope, while curves have varying slopes at different points. The discussion illustrates this by analyzing three straight line segments: from (-5, 5) to (-2, 2), from (-2, 2) to (0, 4), and from (0, 4) to (4, 2). Each segment has a distinct slope, which can be calculated using the formula (y2 - y1) / (x2 - x1). Understanding these concepts is crucial for grasping how to find slopes in both linear and non-linear contexts. Mastering this will enhance comprehension of calculus and its applications.
