A movable tangent line

For \(f(x)=x^2\), the tangent’s slope depends on where we draw it. Move the red point and pay attention to how the line’s tilt changes.

Desmos needs your API key. Open public/assets/desmos-config.js and paste it there.

Drag the red point or change \(a\) in the expressions panel. Notice what happens at \(a=0\).

What you’re seeing

At the chosen point \(x=a\), the tangent line has slope \(2a\). Its equation is \(y=2ax-a^2\). Moving the point changes both the location and tilt of the line.