What are we supposed to do with a function like this?

The algebra is beyond us.

The formula is too difficult to manipulate with algebra. So, we concentrate on approximations.

The function is too complicated to consider as a whole. So, we think of it in pieces - small pieces.

If we are only interested in approximating small pieces of the function, then we can use a replacement function that does a pretty good job of approximating this function over a small interval - a replacement that is easier to work with.

And, our favorite functions are linear functions.

\(C(x)\) appears to be linear-ish on the interval \((6.6, 7.0)\). Our plan is to create a linear function that does a pretty good job of approximating \(C(x)\) on the interval. Graphically, that means a tangent line around \(6.8\). We need two data for this. We need \(C(6.8)\) and \(C'(6.8)\).

Out linear approximation will be \(approxC(x) = C'(6.8)(x-6.8) + C(6.8)\).

Of course, it will only be useful on \((6.6, 7.0)\), if that.

We’ll need the derivative (which Calculus will. provide):
Note: On the interval \((6.6, 7.0)\), \(| x | = x\).

That’s terrible. But we only need it for \(6.8\) and we are approximating, for which decimal numbers are handy.

\(C'(6.8) \approx 17.132\)

\(C(6.8) \approx 5.359\)

That gives \(approxC(x) \approx 17.132(x-6.8)+5.359\)

That is pretty good on \((6.6, 7.0)\).

Now we can approximate \(C(x) \approx approxC(x) \approx 17.132(x-6.8)+5.359\) on \((6.6, 7.0)\). That would save a lot of time and energy and not give up too much accuracy - as long as we stay in this interval.

However, these types of functions are for later courses. We are just trying to figure out the concept here. So, let’s bring our investigation back down to our elementary functions.

Linear Approximations

Approximating complex functions with linear functions is an important aspect of analysis, even if it is over a small interval.

Square Roots

Approximate \(\sqrt {4.5}\) with a decimal expansion.

First, graph \(y = s(t) = \sqrt {t}\).

\(4.5\) simply doesn’t work well with the square root function. However, \(4\) does and \(4\) is near \(4.5\).

Let’s create a linear approximation to \(s(t)\) at \(4\).

Courtesy of Calculus: the derivative of \(s(t)\) is \(s'(t) = \frac {1}{2\sqrt {t}}\).

We have

• \(s(4) = \sqrt {4} = 2\)
• \(s'(4) = \frac {1}{2\sqrt {4}} = \frac {1}{4}\)

The linear approximation is \(L(t) = \frac {1}{4}(t-4)+2\)

Now we’ll use our linear approximation to get an estimate to \(\sqrt {4.5} = s(4.5)\).

\[ \sqrt {4.5} \approx \frac {1}{4}(4.5-4)+2 = \frac {0.5}{4}+2 = 2.125 \]

Compare this to what a calculator gives: \(2.121320344\). Not bad for just a linear function.

Polygonal Lines

We might even approximate a function over a wider interval, just use more linear functions (i.e. line segments).

Graph of \(y = p(k) = -k^2 + 7\).

Let’s approximate \(p(k) = -k^2+7\) with five linear functions, corresponding to five tangent lines tangent where \(k=-2, -1, 0, 1, 2\).

\(p(k)\) is a quadratic function, therefore, we know that \(p'(k) = -2k\). This will get us rate of change or slope. Together with the point of tangency, we can get a linear model of \(p(k)\).

It looks like maybe these will approximate \(p(k)\) on \((-3, 3)\).

Now we need domains for each piece. We’ll decide the domains by locating the intersections of the lines.

\(\blacktriangleright \) Intersection of \(4(k+2)+3\) and \(2(k+1)+6\).

\(\blacktriangleright \) Intersection of \(2(k+1)+6\) and \(7\).

\(\blacktriangleright \) By symmetry we can see that the other two intersections happen when \(k = \frac {1}{2}\) and \(k = \frac {3}{2}\).

Our approximating piecewise linear function is

Pretty good.

Linear approximations do better on straight parts of the graph rather than parts with more curve to them. Calculus will give us a way of measuring this curvature.