Tutorial 8
MATH F111 Mathematics I
September 24, 2024
⃗ N
1. Find T, ⃗ and κ for the curve
(a) ⃗r(t) = (ln sec t)⃗i + t⃗j, − π2 < t < π
2.
(b) ⃗r(t) = t⃗i + (ln cos t)⃗j, − π2 < t < π
2.
2. (a) The graph y = f (x) in the xy− plane automatically has the parametrization x = x, y = f (x), and
the vector formula ⃗r(x) = x⃗i + f (x)⃗j. Use this formula to show that if f is a twice differentiable
function of x, then
|f ′′ (x)|
κ(x) − 3 .
(1 + (f ′ (x))2 ) 2
pi
(b) Use the formula for κ in part (a) to find the curvature of y = ln(cos x), − π2 < x < 2. Compare
your answer with the answer in Exercise 11(b).
(c) Show that the curvature is zero at a point of inflection. (The points where the first derivative
changes sign, from positive to negative or negative to positive)
3. Determine maximum curvature for the graph f (x) = x/(x + 1) for x > −1.
4. Show that ⃗n(t) = −g ′ (t)⃗i + f ′ (t)⃗j, and −⃗n(t) = −g ′ (t)⃗i0f ′ (t)⃗j are both normal to the curve ⃗r(t) =
f (t)⃗i + g(t)⃗j at the point (f (t), g(t)).
5. Find the equation for the circle of curvature of the curve ⃗r(t) = t⃗i + sin(t)⃗j at the point (π/2, 1).
6. Show that the center of the osculating circle for the parabola y = x2 at the point (a, a2 ) is located at
(−4a3 , 3a2 + (1/2)).
7. An object of mass m travels along the parabola y = x2 with a constant speed of 10 units/sec. What is
the force on the object due to its acceleration at (0, 0)? At (21/2 , 2)?
8. Find the tangential and normal components of the acceleration for the following curves:
(a) ⃗r(t) = (t2 )⃗i + (t + (1/3)t3 )⃗j + (t − (1/3)t3 )⃗k, − π2 at t = 0
√
(b) ⃗r(t) = et cos(t)⃗i + et sin(t)⃗j + 2et⃗k, − π2 at t = 0
9. Find κ, τ and osculating, normal and rectifying planes for
3 2
2t 3t
r(t) = i+ j t > 0.
3 2
10. Consider the helix ⃗r(t) = a cos t⃗i + a sin t⃗j + bt⃗k, with a, b ≥ 0. Show that the curvature and torsion of
a b
helix is a2 +b 2 and a2 +b2 respectively.
