Normal vs. Tangent — What's the Difference?

Conforming with, adhering to, or constituting a norm, standard, pattern, level, or type; typical

In geometry, the tangent line (or simply tangent) to a plane curve at a given point is the straight line that "just touches" the curve at that point. Leibniz defined it as the line through a pair of infinitely close points on the curve.

(Biology) Functioning or occurring in a natural way; lacking observable abnormalities or deficiencies.

A line, curve, or surface meeting another line, curve, or surface at a common point and sharing a common tangent line or tangent plane at that point.

Relating to or designating the normality of a solution.

Abbr. tan The trigonometric function of an acute angle in a right triangle that is the ratio of the length of the side opposite the angle to the length of the side adjacent to the angle.

Abbr. n Designating an aliphatic hydrocarbon having an acyclic unbranched chain of carbon atoms.

A sudden digression or change of course

Being at right angles; perpendicular.

(Music) An upright pin in a keyboard instrument, especially in a clavichord, that rises to sound a string when a key is depressed and stops the string at a preset length to set the pitch.

Perpendicular to the direction of a tangent line to a curve or a tangent plane to a surface.

Making contact at a single point or along a line; touching but not intersecting.

Relating to or characterized by average intelligence or development.

(differential geometry) A straight line touching a curve at a single point without crossing it there.

Free from mental illness; sane.

(math) A function of an angle that gives the ratio of the sine to the cosine, in either the real or complex numbers. Symbols: tan, tg. Category:en:Trigonometric functions

The usual, expected, or standard state, form, amount, or degree

A topic nearly unrelated to the main topic, but having a point in common with it.

(Mathematics) A perpendicular, especially a perpendicular to a line tangent to a plane curve or to a plane tangent to a space curve.

(art) A visual interaction between two or more lines or edges that creates a perceived relationship between them, often in a way that the artist did not intend.

According to norms or rules or to a regular pattern.

(music) A small metal blade in a clavichord that strikes the strings to produce sound.

(mathematics) Adhering to or being what is considered natural or regular in a particular field or context:

(geometry) Touching a curve at a single point but not crossing it at that point.

Usual, healthy; not sick or ill or unlike oneself.

Of a topic, only loosely related to a main topic.

Teaching teachers how to teach to certain norms

Straight; not horizontally curved.

(chemistry) Of, relating to, or being a solution containing one equivalent weight of solute per litre of solution.

A tangent line curve, or surface; specifically, that portion of the straight line tangent to a curve that is between the point of tangency and a given line, the given line being, for example, the axis of abscissas, or a radius of a circle produced. See Trigonometrical function, under Function.

(organic chemistry) Describing a straight chain isomer of an aliphatic hydrocarbon, or an aliphatic compound in which a substituent is in the 1- position of such a hydrocarbon.

Touching; touching at a single point

In which all parts of an object vibrate at the same frequency normal mode]].

A straight line or plane that touches a curve or curved surface at a point but does not intersect it at that point

In the default position, set for the most frequently used route.

Ratio of the opposite to the adjacent side of a right-angled triangle

(geometry) Perpendicular to a tangent of a curve or derivative of a surface.

(geometry) A line or vector that is perpendicular to another line, surface, or plane.

A person who is healthy, normal, as opposed to one who is morbid.

A person who is normal, who fits into mainstream society, as opposed to those who live alternative lifestyles.

The usual state.

According to an established norm, rule, or principle; conformed to a type, standard, or regular form; performing the proper functions; not abnormal; regular; natural; analogical.

According to a square or rule; perpendicular; forming a right angle; as, a line normal to the base. Specifically: Of or pertaining to a normal.

Standard; original; exact; typical.

Any perpendicular.

A straight line or plane drawn from any point of a curve or surface so as to be perpendicular to the curve or surface at that point.

Something regarded as a normative example;

Conforming with or constituting a norm or standard or level or type or social norm; not abnormal;

In accordance with scientific laws

Being approximately average or within certain limits in e.g. intelligence and development;

Forming a right angle