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3.29 Equations of tangent and normal

Proposition

Let y=f(x)y=f(x) where ff is differentiable at x=ax=a with b=f(a)b=f(a). Then the curve y=f(x)y=f(x) has tangent with equation

y-b=f(a)(x-a).y-b=f^{\prime}(a)(x-a).

The line that is perpendicular to the tangent at the point (a,b)(a,b) is called the normal, which has equation

(y-b)f(a)+x-a=0.(y-b)f^{\prime}(a)+x-a=0.

Exercise. What is the product of the gradients of tangent and normal?