Mathematics A-Level
Tangent and normal lines
What Tangent and normal lines means in Mathematics A-Level, as defined for Pearson Edexcel.
Definition of Tangent and normal lines
Check what you remember
Read the wording for your board, then hide it and explain Tangent and normal lines in your own words. Rough notes are fine. This is a self-check, with no mark or grade.
Reference: Pearson Edexcel
The tangent has gradient m = dy/dx and equation y − y₁ = m(x − x₁); the normal is perpendicular with gradient −1/m when m ≠ 0.
Topics that use Tangent and normal lines
- Differentiation (Pearson Edexcel A-Level)
Related terms
- Chain rule
- Composite function
- connected rates of change
- Derivative
- differentiation from first principles
- Implicit differentiation
- Increasing and decreasing functions and points of inflection
- Modelling real situations with derivatives
Using Tangent and normal lines in the exam
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