Tangents and Normals: Difference between revisions
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[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tangent '''Tangents'''] are lines ''just touching'' a given curve and its [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normal_%28geometry%29 '''Normal'''] is a line perpendicular to it at the point of contact ''(or point of '''Tangency''')''. | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tangent '''Tangents'''] are lines ''just touching'' a given curve and its [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normal_%28geometry%29 '''Normal'''] is a line perpendicular to it at the point of contact ''(or point of '''Tangency''')''. | ||
Taking the common case of a '''[[Circles|Circle]]''', the '''Normal''' to a '''Tangent''' from a point '''P''' on the circumference is a line joining the point to the circle centre - and the '''Tangent''' is at right angles to the '''Normal'''. This | |||
Taking the common case of a '''[[Circles|Circle]]''', the '''Normal''' to a '''Tangent''' from a point '''P''' on the circumference is a line joining the point to the circle centre - and the '''Tangent''' is at right angles to the '''Normal'''. This forms the basis for methods of constructing '''Tangents''' such that the '''Point of Tangency''' is given accurately. | |||
Revision as of 13:35, 5 April 2015
Tangents are lines just touching a given curve and its Normal is a line perpendicular to it at the point of contact (or point of Tangency).
Taking the common case of a Circle, the Normal to a Tangent from a point P on the circumference is a line joining the point to the circle centre - and the Tangent is at right angles to the Normal. This forms the basis for methods of constructing Tangents such that the Point of Tangency is given accurately.