Why do you draw a tangent on a graph

What is the purpose of drawing a tangent on a graph?
Just doing a little justification in a mammoth essay...

Thanks in advance.

The gradient tangent when extended is used for forecasting from current trends to assist future planning. However as with all programmes it depends on the input and how correct it is. Otherwise rubbish in = rubbish out. Good luck

It is generally a way to introduce rates of change from a geometric perspective.

the slope of a tangent line to a point on a curve represents "how steep a curve is" at a given location.

since the "steepness" of a curve changes with any deviation of position, it is sometimes informative to know exactly what direction something is "facing" at a specific moment in time if traveling along a curved trajectory.

Graphing is typically a way that helps us visualize the concept while utilizing the symbolic (mathematical) representations.

One the mechanics are understood, it can be applied to practical (and non-practical) applications.


...and just for your information, the word gradient is simply another word for slope.

A tangent is required to find the gradient! also the equation of a tangent to a curved graph at a certain point is required to draw the normal or perpendicular line to a certain point!

Its the only way to calculate the gardience of a curved graph. Dont think there's any other reason.