Shape of a Slope Function
Below you can see the graph of f(x) = a x2 + b x + c and its tangent t through point P.
- Try to find out how the coordinates of point M are connected with point P and the slope m of tangent t by dragging point P with the mouse.
- Right click (Mac OS: ctrl-click) point M and select "Trace on". When you move point P now you get the graph of the slope function of f(x). What does the shape of the slope function look like?
- Click the little icon in the right upper corner to reset the construction. Change the values of the sliders a, b, and c and turn on the trace of point M again. What does the shape of the slope function look like when you move point P now?