Question

How does the secant line differ from the tangent line on a curved x−t graph?

Options

• Secant represents average velocity; tangent represents instantaneous velocity

• They are the same

• Secant line is always vertical

• Tangent line always has zero slope

Answer 1

Secant represents average velocity; tangent represents instantaneous velocity

Explanation:

The secant line connects two separate points on the curve, while the tangent line touches the curve at exactly one point.