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A common problem in the derivative section of calculus texts is "find the equation of the line that is tangent to the curve $y = \ldots$ at the point $P$."

To find the line that is tangent to $y = 2 x \sin x$ at $(\pi/2,\pi)$, I'd do something like this in Mathematica:

y[x_] := 2 x Sin[x]
y[x] == y'[x] x + b /. x -> Pi/2;
bRule = Solve[%, b][[1]];
y == y'[a] x + b /. bRule /. a -> Pi/2

which outputs y == 2 x.

Is this more or less idiomatic Mathematica code? Is there a better way?

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Certainly, there is a better way:

y[x_] := 2 x Sin[x]; a = Pi/2;
Collect[Normal[Series[y[x], {x, a, 1}]], x, Simplify]

Recall that the formula for a Taylor polynomial looks a bit like this:

$$f(x)=\color{red}{f(a)+f^\prime (a)(x-a)}+\frac{f^{\prime\prime}(a)}{2}(x-a)^2+\cdots$$

and reconciling this with the geometric interpretation of the Taylor polynomial as the best one-point osculatory (agrees at function and derivative values) approximation of a function shows why the approach works. I believe this should be a standard way to look at Taylor polynomials in the textbooks, if it already isn't.

Here is an equivalent approach:

Collect[InterpolatingPolynomial[{{{a}, y[a], y'[a]}}, x], x, Simplify]

This is based on the fact that the tangent line is the unique Hermite interpolating polynomial of degree $1$.

Certainly, one could do the plodding, "traditional" (whatever that means) approach:

y[x_] := 2 x Sin[x]; a = Pi/2;
Collect[y[a] + y'[a] (x - a), x, Simplify]

In any event, Solve[] is definitely unnecessary here.

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  • $\begingroup$ Thanks J.M.! The code I posted follows the approach taught in calculus texts. I wouldn't mind seeing an improved version of that approach as well (from anyone here). $\endgroup$ – dharmatech Feb 16 '12 at 3:30
  • $\begingroup$ So does this. At least, I assume that the geometric interpretation of the Taylor polynomial is still being taught in calculus classes... $\endgroup$ – J. M. is in limbo♦ Feb 16 '12 at 4:31
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    $\begingroup$ Thanks again J.M. Great answer. And thanks for moderating this new stackexchange site. $\endgroup$ – dharmatech Feb 16 '12 at 6:35
  • $\begingroup$ A solution using a Taylor polynomial may not be appropriate for the level of the question or questioner: somebody beginning calculus, at least at taught at most U.S institutions, would certainly not know about Taylor polynomials. $\endgroup$ – murray Sep 15 '12 at 14:30
  • $\begingroup$ +1 for Taylor expansion. But derivative against $x$ may not applicable for vertical tangent line. Parametric equation with the arc length parameter might be more general. $\endgroup$ – Silvia Sep 15 '12 at 19:30
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I'm recently doing something related, so here is my more general but some how too expensive method. I'll take the curve defined by

$$x^4-2 x^2+y^4-2 y^2+\frac{99}{100}=0$$

for example.

First we define the function and plot the curve:

exprFunc[x_, y_] := x^4 + y^4 - 2 x^2 - 2 y^2 + 99/100

exprgraph = 
 ContourPlot[exprFunc[x, y] == 0, {x, -2, 2}, {y, -2, 2}, 
  PlotRange -> {{-2, 2}, {-2, 2}}, AspectRatio -> Automatic]

Then we parametrize the curve with respect to natural parameter (i.e. the arc length $s$):

Fderiv = D[exprFunc[x, y], #] & /@ {x, y}

naturalderiv = 
 Reverse[{1, -1} Fderiv]/Sqrt[Fderiv.Fderiv] /. {x -> x[s], y -> y[s]}

(*find an initial point on the curve*)
xinit = x /. FindRoot[exprFunc[x, yinit = 0] == 0, {x, 2}]

1.04881

(*the natural parametric equation*)
naturalparaEq = With[{arcLength = 10},
    NDSolve[{
       x'[s] == naturalderiv[[1]],
       y'[s] == naturalderiv[[2]],
       x[0] == #[[1]], y[0] == #[[2]]
       }, {x, y}, {s, 0, arcLength}][[1]]  ]&@{xinit, yinit}

Now we can plot the tangent line any where and smoothly:

Manipulate[
 Show[{exprgraph,
   Graphics[{Black,
     Circle[{x[s], y[s]} /. naturalparaEq /. s -> svalue, .04],
     Lighter[Purple], Thickness[.005],
     Line@
      Table[{x[s], y[s]} + naturalderiv t /. naturalparaEq /. 
        s -> svalue,
       {t, {-3, 3}}]
     }]}],
 {svalue, 0, 10}]

Mathematica graphics

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  • $\begingroup$ Hmm, this should be an answer to this question instead of this one, methinks. :) $\endgroup$ – J. M. is in limbo♦ Sep 15 '12 at 20:36
  • $\begingroup$ @J.M. I missed that question. Anyway, they are from the same author :) $\endgroup$ – Silvia Sep 15 '12 at 20:45
  • $\begingroup$ The "natrual" spelling is deliberate, I presume? $\endgroup$ – J. M. is in limbo♦ Sep 15 '12 at 20:46
  • $\begingroup$ OH NO! I always made all kinds of spelling mistakes!! :( $\endgroup$ – Silvia Sep 15 '12 at 20:54
  • $\begingroup$ @J.M. - well, it's pronounced as "natrual", so I think it's acceptable as alternative spelling :-) $\endgroup$ – stevenvh Sep 16 '12 at 10:16

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