HP 48G Series Quick Start Manual page 83

Lesson 27: Finding Slope, Tangents, and
Critical Points
The following examples show you other kinds of analysis you can
perform on the currently plotted function.
Example: Using the same polynomial you just plotted in the
previous lesson (X° + X* — 5X3 — 2X? + X — 4), find the
slope at # = —0.4 and draw a tangent line to the function
at x = 0.3.
Step 1: Turn on TRACE mode and move the cursor using the («)
and (») keys.
(to redisplay the menu)
PICT TRADE
(«€) and (») as needed
L.§
ETRE Er IEE FETE ETT
Step 2: Display the cursor coordinates and move the cursor over
until the z-coordinate equals -0.4.
n= ¥: -Y4.38464
Step 3: Find the slope.
(to redisplay the menu)
:
SLOPE: 07d
tting Equations and Analyzing Graphs 6-15