Question

How do you find the linear approximation of a function?

Answer 1

The linear approximation `L(x)` of a function is done using the tangent line to the graph of the function. The equation of the tangent line at `x=a` is given by

`y=f'(a)(x-a)+f(a)`,

the linear approximation is

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