How to Find Slope of Tangent Line in Excel (2 Suitable Ways)

Sometimes, users have to find the slope of a tangent line in Excel. By applying a certain Excel function or utilizing some Excel features, they can perform this job easily. In this article, I will show you how to find the slope of a tangent line in Excel.

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2 Suitable Ways to Find Slope of Tangent Line in Excel

In this article, you will see two easy methods to find the slope of a tangent line in Excel. The first method will discuss the use of the SLOPE function of Excel. In the second method, I will insert the available data into an Excel chart and then find the slope from the equation.

To illustrate my article further, I will use the following sample data set.

1. Apply SLOPE Function to Find Slope of Tangent Line

In the first method, I will apply the SLOPE function of Excel for determining the slope of a tangent line. By using the function, you can calculate the slope in Excel. The function will take the y-axis and x-axis values of an equation as the inputs and then show the slope as a numerical value. Go through the following steps for a better understanding.

Steps:

• First of all, I will assume some values for the X variable of the equation in cell C4.
• Then, to calculate the values of the Y variable, insert the following formula in cell C7.

• Secondly, press Enter and use AutoFill to get the desired result for the lower cells as well.

• Thirdly, to find the slope, make an extra field in cell C13 and type the following formula.

• Finally, press Enter to get the slope that is 6.

Read More: How to Find the Slope of a Line in Excel (5 Easy Ways)

2. Insert Data into Excel Chart to Find Slope of Tangent Line

In the second method, instead of using any function, I will insert the available data set for making an Excel chart. After making the chart, I will find the slope from the trendline. Let’s follow the instruction below to find the slope of the tangent line!

Steps:

• Firstly, calculate the values of the y-axis for the equation of cell C4 just like the previous method.
• Then, select the data range B6:C11 and go to the Insert tab of the ribbon.
• Afterward, from the Charts group, select Insert Scatter (X,Y) or Bubble Chart.

• Secondly, from the dropdown, choose Scatter with Smooth Lines.

• Thirdly, you will see the chart with the required data in your Excel sheet.
• After that, select your Excel chart and choose the Chart Elements icon which is on the top right corner of the chart.

• Fourthly, from the Chart Elements command select the Trendline dropdown and from there choose More Options.

• Consequently, you will see the Format Trendline window pane after the previous step and then mark the option Display Equation on chart.

• Finally, you will see the consequent equation for this tangent line is y = 6x – 6, and by comparing the equation with y = mx + c, you can see the slope of this line is 6.

Read More: How to Find Slope of Polynomial Trendline in Excel (with Detailed Steps)

Conclusion

That’s the end of this article. I hope you find this article helpful. After reading the above description, you will be able to find the slope of a tangent line in Excel. Please share any further queries or recommendations with us in the comments section below.

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