Many problems expressed in mathematics are today solved using numeric methods. This means that we approximate the result using an algorithm. Theoretical mathematics suggests the methods that will work and proves the usefulness of the methods.
From the section on the nature of differentiable curves we know that if a curve is differentiable on an interval, that the curve looks like a line if zoomed in sufficiently. This is because the line tangent to the curve at a point matches the curve in direction at that point. That is for a moment the line and the curve are headed the same way.This suggests that we can approximate a function using a tangent line.
The goal of this activity is to determine how to approximate a square root of numbers that are not perfect squares. Note the graph of the square root function and its tangent lines at \(x=1\) and at \(x=4\) in Figure 3.5.1.
We often need to approximate solutions to equations. Here we will use the line like nature of differentiable curves to approximate the roots to functions. Recall the a root of a function \(f(x)\) is a value \(x_o\) such that \(f(x_0)=0\text{.}\)
The goal of this activity is to demonstrate how tangent lines can be used to approximate roots of functions. This method is illustrated in Figure 3.5.2.
Note the tangent line to the curve at point \(A\) (\(x=-1.2\)). Imagine sliding along this tangent to the x-axis (the root of the tangent labeled Aapprox). Roughly how close is this to the actual root? Note we are asking about x values.
Imagine climbing down the line from Aapprox to \(A^\prime\text{.}\) This is the new approximation. Move the point \(B\) onto the point \(A^\prime\text{.}\) Note the lines will all move with it. To make it easier to see move point \(A\) somewhere else.
Imagine sliding along the tangent from point \(B\) to the x-axis (the root of the tangent line labeled Bapprox). Roughly how close is this to the actual root? Compare it to the first root approximation.
