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Linear Approximation Formula

The linear approximation formula approximates the value of a function near a given point using the equation of the tangent line at that point. The formula is L(x) = f(a) + f'(a)(x - a), where L(x) is the linear approximation, f(a) is the value of the function at the point a, f'(a) is the derivative of the function at a, and (x - a) is the difference between the x-values. The document provides an example of using the formula to find the linear approximation of the function f(x) = cos(x) at the point x = π/2.

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55 views

Linear Approximation Formula

The linear approximation formula approximates the value of a function near a given point using the equation of the tangent line at that point. The formula is L(x) = f(a) + f'(a)(x - a), where L(x) is the linear approximation, f(a) is the value of the function at the point a, f'(a) is the derivative of the function at a, and (x - a) is the difference between the x-values. The document provides an example of using the formula to find the linear approximation of the function f(x) = cos(x) at the point x = π/2.

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bhbmvvspkh
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Thomas

Linear Approximation Formula Calculus


The concept behind the linear approximation formula is the equation of a
tangent line. We know that the slope of the tangent that is drawn to a curve
y = f(x) at x = a is its derivative at that point. i.e., the slope of the tangent
line is f'(a). Thus, the linear approximation formula is an application of
derivatives. Let us learn more about this formula in the upcoming sections.

What is Linear Approximation?


The linear approximation of a function is nothing but approximating the
value of the function at a point using a line. As soon as we see a curve (of
a function) and a point on it, we remember the concept of the tangent line.
If we find the equation of the tangent line at the given point, the value of the
function at any point that is very close to the given point can be
approximated using the equation of the tangent line. This concept is known
as the linear approximation and since it is done using the tangent line, it is
also known as the tangent line approximation.

Linear Approximation Formula


As we discussed in the previous section, the linear approximation formula
is nothing but the equation of a tangent line. Let us find the equation of a
tangent line that is drawn to the curve y = f(x) at the point x = a (or) (a, f(a)).
As we know the slope of this tangent is the derivative f '(a), its equation
using the point-slope form is:

Example 1: Find the equation of linear approximation of the


function f(x) = cos x at x = π/2.

Solution:

The given function is, f(x) = cos x.

We have to find the linear approximation of f(x) at a = π/2.

So f(a) = cos π/2 = 0.

The derivative of f(x) is,

The linear approximation formula is: f ' (x) = - sin x

L(x) = f(a) + f '(a) (x - a) f ' (a) = f ' (π/2) = - sin π/2 = -1.

where, The linear approximation formula of f(x) is,

• L(x) is the linear approximation of f(x) at x = a.


L(x) = f(a) + f '(a) (x - a)

• f '(a) is the derivative of f(x) at x = a.


L(x) = 0 + (-1) (x - π/2)

We will see the linear approximation formula in the upcoming section.


L(x) = -x + π/2

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