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Estimating Gradients of Curves
Estimating Gradients of Curves
Estimating Gradients of Curves
When a line is curved, the gradient is constantly changing. This means we need to get creative when estimating the gradient.
The gradient of curved lines is constantly changing. Therefore, finding the gradient is more challenging than with straight lines.
1
Remember the formula for finding the gradient.
The gradient of a straight line can be found by choosing two points on the line, and dividing the difference in their y values by their x values.
2
Using this, we can find the gradient at a point on a curve
By doing this, we find the gradient of a tangent to the curve.