# how dy/dx and y2-y1=m(x2-x1) related?

• Dec 15th 2012, 09:20 PM
ameerulislam
how dy/dx and y2-y1=m(x2-x1) related?
how dy/dx and y1-y2=m(x2-x1) related?

I mean shouldn't dy/dx = m ?
• Dec 15th 2012, 09:32 PM
MarkFL
Re: how dy/dx and y2-y1=m(x2-x1) related?
The tangent line to a differentiable function at the point $(x_1,y_1)$ is:

$y-y_1=f'(x_1)(x-x_1)$
• Dec 15th 2012, 09:35 PM
Prove It
Re: how dy/dx and y2-y1=m(x2-x1) related?
Quote:

Originally Posted by ameerulislam
how dy/dx and y1-y2=m(x2-x1) related?

I mean shouldn't dy/dx = m ?

dy/dx is a FUNCTION which tells you what the gradient of your function y is at any point.

m is the gradient of your tangent line at a SINGLE point.
• Dec 15th 2012, 10:06 PM
ameerulislam
Re: how dy/dx and y2-y1=m(x2-x1) related?
Quote:

Originally Posted by Prove It
dy/dx is a FUNCTION which tells you what the gradient of your function y is at any point.

m is the gradient of your tangent line at a SINGLE point.

If you can please provide an example that would be great! I'm like getting it and not getting it.. tx