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Vector Calculus Study Guide

This document is a study guide for vector calculus created by Jia Shing Wee during the Winter 2022 quarter at UCLA. It contains 10 sections that cover topics such as vector functions, limits of vector functions, derivatives of vector functions, integrals of vector functions, arc length, curvature, and torsion. The study guide provides definitions, examples, and references additional online resources to aid understanding of the key concepts in vector calculus. It is intended as a reference for students taking Math 32A and assumes knowledge of calculus I and II topics.

Uploaded by

Christian Gao
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
0% found this document useful (0 votes)
169 views

Vector Calculus Study Guide

This document is a study guide for vector calculus created by Jia Shing Wee during the Winter 2022 quarter at UCLA. It contains 10 sections that cover topics such as vector functions, limits of vector functions, derivatives of vector functions, integrals of vector functions, arc length, curvature, and torsion. The study guide provides definitions, examples, and references additional online resources to aid understanding of the key concepts in vector calculus. It is intended as a reference for students taking Math 32A and assumes knowledge of calculus I and II topics.

Uploaded by

Christian Gao
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 32

Jia Shing Wee Winter 2022

Vector Calculus Study Guide


Jia Shing Wee
Winter 2022
Contents
1. Introduction To Vector Functions 3
1.1. Domain of Vector Functions 3
1.2. Vector Functions Trace a Curve 3
1.2.1. Helix Curves 4
1.3. Sketching Vector Functions 5
2. Limits of Vector Functions 6
3. Derivative of Vector Functions 8
3.1. Derivative Rules 9
3.2. Tangent Point and Tangent Vector 11
3.3. Tangent Lines 13
4. Integrals of Vector Functions 14
4.1. Initial Value Problem 14
5. Arc Length & Arc Length Parameterization 16
5.1. Arc Length 16
5.2. Arc Length Function 18
5.3. Unit Speed (Arc Length) Parameterization 19
5.4. Quick Note on Parameterization (Important) 20
6. Tangent, Normal & Binormal (TNB) Frames 21
7. Curvature 24
7.1. Different Forms of Curve 25
7.2. Curvature for y f x curve
= ( ) 26
8. Torsion 27
8.1. Osculating Circle 27
8.2. Radius of Curvature 28
8.3. Osculating Plane 29
9. Velocity and Acceleration 30
10. Projectile Motion 31
Legend:
Definition/Proofs Sample Problems Common Mistakes Callouts

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Jia Shing Wee Winter 2022

Preface
This Vector Calculus Study Guide is primarily curated for UCLA undergraduate students
taking the Math 32A course. In particular, these notes correspond to Chapter 14 on J.
Rogawski's Calculus: Late Transcendentals Multivariable, Fourth Edition.
It should be noted that this Study Guide assumes that the reader has a good working
knowledge of Calculus I topics that include but are not limited to limits, derivatives and
integration. It also assumes that the reader is familiar with relevant Calculus II topics such as
integration techniques, parametric equations, vectors and three dimensional space.
An important note to highlight here is that this Study Guide is created solely based on
analogies, proofs, derivations and example questions that were vital for my personal
understanding of this topic. Hence, it should only be used as a reference/refresher for certain
subtopics that are harder to grasp and NOT as a substitute for attending class.
There are resources that I relied heavily on while compiling this Study Guide. These
resources are duly noted in the References section. I highly recommend students to check out
the additional examples I linked in certain portions of this paper for further understanding,
which was necessary to keep the paper as concise as possible.
Lastly, I would like to acknowledge the contribution of my MATH 32A lecturer, Professor
Justin Forlano, whose insistence on learning mathematics through understanding instead of
rote memorization inspired me to create this collection of notes. This manuscript has also
benefited immensely from comments and suggestions made by David James, who generously
taken the time to provide constructive feedback on the structure of this paper. I take this
opportunity to thank him.
Vector Calculus Study Guide was written during my Winter 2022 Quarter at UCLA.
I readily welcome any constructive suggestions to improve this Study Guide.
Please send comments, corrections and suggestions to: hi@jia-shing.com
This printing incorporates all known corrections.

Jia Shing Wee


March 1, 2022
Los Angeles, CA

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Jia Shing Wee Winter 2022

1. Introduction To Vector Functions


A vector functions of a single variable in R and R have the form,2 3

rt ft gt ( ) = ( ), ( ) rt
( ) = ft gt ht
( ), ( ), ( )

respectively, where f t g t and h t


( ), ( ) ( ) are called the component functions.
Before we proceed to graphing a vector function, we should first address the domain of a
vector function so that we know the boundaries of our sketch.

1.1. Domain of Vector Functions

Definition 1 Domain of Vector Functions: Set of value of all t's for which all the
component functions are defined. In this range, the vector functions are
differentiable as they are continuous.

Example
rt
( ) = cost -t t has a domain of - since:
, ln(4 ), +1 [ 1, 4)

• cos t is defined for all t


• ln(4 -t is only defined for t since is not defined on negatives
) < 4 ln

• t is only defined for t - since is not defined on negatives


+1 ≥ 1

1.2. Vector Functions Trace a Curve


For vector functions, it is important to highlight that the terminal points of the vectors trace
a curve through a space (not a surface) for the domain of t.

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Jia Shing Wee Winter 2022

Case in point, the sketch for the vector function r t( ) = t- 2 sin tt


,
2
is:

Figure 1: Note how the curve is traced by the terminal points of vector at different t

1.2.1. Helix Curves

We already know that the sketch for the vector function r t ( ) = t t will give a
2 cos , 2 sin ,3

circle of radius 2, traced on the x-y plane, centered on z-axis and raised to the level z = 3.

Figure 2: Height can be changed according to the fixed component, in this case z = 3

Similarly, r t
( ) = t-
10 sin , t will be a circle of radius 10, traced on the x-z plane,
3, 10 cos

centered on y-axis an lowered to the level y - .


= 3

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Jia Shing Wee Winter 2022

However, what if we set the previously constant component into a variable?


We get a helix curve!
For instance, r t
( ) = 4 cos t, 4 sin tt
, produces a helix curve (or spiral)

Figure 3: Note that the component without trigonometric function will determine that axis
that the helix rotates about.
Also, if we allow the coefficients on the sine on cosine in the formula to be different, we will
get ellipses. (i.e. r t ( ) = tt t
9 cos , , 2 sin

1.3. Sketching Vector Functions


There are three handy steps to this.
1. Identify x y and z.
,

2. Use 1 or more components to get a curve or surface (get rid of t)


(a) For 2 components, sketch on a plane
(b) For 3 components, the curve is on a surface
3. Use values of t to find points of orientation
' '

For practicality purposes, refer to this video for the basic usage of this 3-step process and this
video for the advanced version.

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Jia Shing Wee Winter 2022

2. Limits of Vector Functions


Quite simply, the limits of a vector function is obtained from the limits of each component of
the vector function itself.

lim
t a

rt
( ) = lim
t a

ft( ), lim
t a

gt
( ), lim
t a →
ht
( )

Example (Without L'Hopital)

t i tt-- j t k .
2
4
Find
t
lim , ,
t → 2 2
2
+1

lim
t
→ 2
t = 2

t-
2
4 ( t- t 2)( + 2)

t
lim
t- = lim
t t-
t
→ 2 2 → 2 2

= lim ( + 2)
t
→ 2

= 4

t 2

t
lim =
t
→ 2
2
+1 5

t i tt-- j t k =
2
4 2

t
∴ lim , , 2, 4,
t→ 2 2
2
+1 5

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Jia Shing Wee Winter 2022

Example (With L'Hopital)

Find lim
t → 0
cos ti t t j t tk .
,
tan
, ln

lim cos
t
→ 0
t = 1

t
t
sin

tan cos t
lim
t → 0 t = lim
t
→ 0 t
sin t 1
= lim
t
→ 0 t cos t
= 1(1)

= 1

lim t t
ln = lim
ln t Use L Hopital
( ' )
t→ 0 t → 0 1

t
1

t
= lim
t → 0

-t 1

= lim
t → 0
-t
= 0

∴ lim
t
→ 0
cos ti t t j t tk =
,
tan
, ln 1, 1, 0

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Jia Shing Wee Winter 2022

3. Derivative of Vector Functions


We established in the previous section that:

lim
t a

rt
( ) = lim
t a

ft
( ), lim
t a

gt
( ), lim
t a

ht ( )

It follows that since:

fx fx ( +∆ x -f x
) ( )
′( ) =

lim
x
→ 0 ∆x
Then,
rt rt
( +∆ ) t -r t ( )
′( ) = lim
t
∆ → 0 ∆ t
ft ( +∆ ) + ti gt ( +∆ ) tj ht+ ( +∆ ) tk - fti gtj htk
( ) + ( ) + ( )
= lim
t
∆ → 0 ∆t
ft ( +∆ ) ti gt ( +∆ ) tj ht ( +∆ ) tk
= lim
t
∆ → 0 ∆ t +
∆ t +
∆ t
This simply means that:
rt′( ) = ft gt ht
′( ), ′( ), ′( )

Note: r t can be interpreted as two things that give directions, which are:
′( )

1. The tangent vector to a space curve


2. Instantaneous velocity

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3.1. Derivative Rules


Most of the basic facts that we know about derivatives still hold. However, to make it clear,
here are some facts about derivatives of vector functions. They will be applied in the example
questions below.

Basic Derivative Rules


du v u v
dt + = '+ '

cu ′ = cu ′

Product Rule Holds!


d ftut f tut ftu t
dt ( ) ( ) = ′( ) ( )+ ( ) ′( )

duv u v uv
dt ⋅ = ′⋅ + ⋅ ′

du v u v u v
dt ⨯ = ′⨯ + ⨯ ′

Chain Rule Holds!


d uft f tu ft
dt ( ( ) = ′( ) ′ ( )

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Jia Shing Wee Winter 2022

Example 1 (Product Rule Holds!)

Given r t ( ) = e-t t e-t t


sin , cos , tan
-t .
1

Find r t .′( )

Solution
Let f t e -t t
( ) = sin

Applying Product Rule for derivatives,


f t -e-t t e-t t e-t t- t
′( ) = sin + cos = (cos sin )

Let g t e -t t
( ) = cos

Applying Product Rule for derivatives,


gt
′( ) = − e-t t-e-t t -e-t t
cos sin = (cos + sin t
)

Let h t - t
( ) = tan
1
( )

Since inverse tangent is hard to deal with, we can use implicit differentiation.
Let x - t
= tan
1
( )

Then, x t tan( ) =

By implicitly differentiating,
sec (
2
x x
)⋅ ′ = 1

x 1

x
′ =
2
sec ( )

x 1

x
′ =
2
1 + tan ( )

x 1

t
′ =
2
1+

ht 1

t
′( ) =
2
1+

rt e-t t- t -e-t t t 1

t
∴ ′( ) = (cos sin ), (cos + sin ),
2
1+

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Jia Shing Wee Winter 2022

3.2. Tangent Point and Tangent Vector

The best way to understand this is by working through an example.

Example 1
Complete the following questions.
1. Sketch r t ( ) =t t for the domain
4 cos , 2 sin 0 ⩽ t ⩽ 2𝜋 .
2. Find the tangent point at t .
𝜋
=
3

3. Find the tangent vector at the tangent point.

Solution
1. Let x t y t
t x t y
= 4 cos , = 2 sin

cos = , sin =
4 2

Using the trigonometric identity 2


t 2
t
cos ( ) + sin ( ) = 1 ,
x y
2

+
2

= 1 (This gets rid of t)


16 4

Hence, the sketch is as shown below.

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Jia Shing Wee Winter 2022

2. To find tangent point, plug in to r t .


𝜋
( )
3

rt ( ) = 4 cos
𝜋

3
, 2 sin
𝜋

∴rt ( ) = 2, 3

3. To find the tangent vector, find r t . ′( )

rt ′( ) = - 4 sin t , 2 cos t
Then, substitute in the point t
𝜋
=
3

r ′
𝜋

3
= - 2 3, 1

For more examples, see this video.

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Jia Shing Wee Winter 2022

3.3. Tangent Lines


Just like any lines, tangent lines need:
1. Tangent Point (Any line needs a point)
2. Tangent Vector at Tangent Point (Any line needs a direction vector)

Let's say we want to find the equation of tangent line at t = 2 for the vector
rt t t
1 2

t
( ) = + 2, ,
2
+1 +4

Firstly, let's find the tangent point at t = 2 .


r (2) = 2,
1

3
,
1

Then, let's find the tangent vector


rt 1
- 1
- t
4

t
′( ) = , ,

2 t +2 ( + 1)
2

t 2
+4
2

Then, find the tangent vector at the given point t = 2 .


r ′(2) =
1

4
, - - 1

9
,
1

Now, we have equation of tangent line:


2,
1

3
,
1

4
+ t 1

4
, - - 1

9
,
1

For more examples, check this video.

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Jia Shing Wee Winter 2022

4. Integrals of Vector Functions


Using Section 2. and Section 3. that we have studied, it should be clear that for indefinite
integrals:

∫ r t dt
( ) = ∫ f t dt ∫g t dt ∫h t dt c
( ) , ( ) , ( ) +

Remember that all the previous Integration tricks still apply here! (u-substitution,
trigonometric identities, integration by parts etc)

4.1. Initial Value Problem


If we are given the value of r (0) and r t , are we able to find the c? This is referred to as the
′( )

Initial Value Problem.


This is a pretty simple operation so I will not cover it in detail here but the steps are
basically as follows:
1. From r t , find r t by integration
′( ) ( )

2. Substitute value t into the obtained r t


= 0 ( )

3. Compare the obtained r to the given equation to get c


(0)

An example of this operation can be found here.

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Common Mistake
Students often forget that the constant after the indefinite integral is a vector. In this
section, we are going to prove how c is formed.
Example

Find ∫
1
i t j- k dt 1

t t
+

1+
2
1+2
-t 2

1
2

• ∫
1
i dt -ti 1
ci
t
= tan + 1
2
1+

•∫
t j dt
t
1+2
2

Use u-substitution,
u = 1+2 t 2


du t dt
= 4

t dt du=

t j dt du j
4

1

1+2 t 2
= ∫
u 4

=
1

4
ln| u j cj
| + 2

=
1

4
ln 1 + 2 t 2
+ cj
2

• ∫ - 1
k dt - = sin
-tk 1
+ ck
3

-t 1
2

Hence, the sum of c c 1, 2 and c comes together to form c.


3

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Jia Shing Wee Winter 2022

5. Arc Length & Arc Length Parameterization


5.1. Arc Length

Recall that in two-dimensional Parametric Equations, the arc length on the interval ab
[ , ] is
given by,
b
L = ∫
a ft ′( )
2

+ g t dt
′( )
2

There is a natural extension of this to three dimensions. The length of curve r t on the ( )

interval a b is given by,


[ , ]

b
L = ∫
a ft ′( )
2

+ gt′( )
2

+ h t dt′( )
2

Now, note that there is a very nice simplification we can do here. The integrand above is
nothing more than the magnitude of the tangent vector.

rt
‖ ′( )‖ = ft gt ht ′( )
2

+ ′( )
2

+ ′( )
2

Therefore, the arc length formula for r t on the interval a b is:


( ) [ , ]

b
L ∫a r t dt= ‖ ′( )‖ (1)

This formula can give us two things, depending on the operations we conduct.
1. Definite Integral: The Arc Length of the curve, L on the interval a b [ , ]

2. Indefinite Integral: The Arc Length Function, S(t)

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Jia Shing Wee Winter 2022
Let's work some a simple example here to see the application.
Example 1 (Finding Arc Length) [1]
Determine the length of the curve r t ( ) = t t t
2 , 3 sin(2 ), 3 cos(2 ) on the interval [0, 2𝜋] .
Solution
Let's first find the tangent vector and its magnitude.
rt
′( ) = 2, 6 cos(2 ), t - 6 sin(2 ) t
rt
‖ ′( )‖ =
2
t
4 + 36 cos (2 ) + 36 sin (2 )
2
t
Note that 2
t 2
sin (2 ) + cos (2 ) = 1 t
rt
‖ ′( )‖ =
2
t
4 + 36 cos (2 ) + sin (2 )
2
t
rt
‖ ′( )‖ = 4 + 36

rt
‖ ′( )‖ = 2 10

Hence, the length is then,


L = ∫
0
2𝜋

r t dt
‖ ′( )‖

= ∫
0
2𝜋

2 dt
10

= 4𝜋 10

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Jia Shing Wee Winter 2022

5.2. Arc Length Function


Now, let's visit a concept called the arc length function. We define the arc length function as,
t
st( ) = ∫
0
r u du
‖ ( )‖

This creates a function s of t, which tells us how much length we have traversed at time t.
While it might seem vague at first, but things will become clear by the time we talk about
Unit-Speed Parameterization. Let's work through an example that builds upon the previous
one.

Example 2 (Arc Length Function) [2]


Determine the arc length function for r t ( ) = t t
2 , 3 sin(2 ), 3 cos(2 ) t .
Solution
From Example 1, we know that,
rt
‖ ′( )‖ = 2 10

The arc length function is then,


t
st
( ) = ∫
0
2 10 du
t
= 2 10 u 0

= 2 10 t

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Jia Shing Wee Winter 2022

5.3. Unit Speed (Arc Length) Parameterization


The basic idea of Unit Speed (Arc Length) Parameterization is to create a vector function r
of s, which is useful because:
1. We can now tell the position on the curve after we've traveled a distance s along the
curve
2. Occasionally, it produces a nice equation
3. This automatically becomes a unit tangent vector (i.e. r s ) ‖ ′( )‖ = 1

Example 3 (Unit Speed Parameterization) [3]

Where on the curve r t( ) = t


2 , 3 sin(2 ), 3 cos(2 ) t t are we after traveling for a distance of
𝜋 10
?
3

Solution
From Example 1 and Example 2, we can solve for t
t =
s
2 10

Now, taking this and plugging it into the original vector function, we can reparameterize
the function into the form, r t s ( ) .

rts( ) =
s , 3 sin
s , 3 cos
s
10 10 10

Then, to determine the position, all we need is to plug s


𝜋 10
= .
3

rts ( ) =
𝜋

3
, 3 sin
𝜋

3
, 3 cos
𝜋

𝜋 3 3 3
Hence, we obtain the point , ,
3 2 2

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Jia Shing Wee Winter 2022

5.4. Quick Note on Parameterization (Important)


Essentially,
s t in Example 2 tells us the distance we traversed in time t.
( )

t s in Example 3 tells us the time it takes to traverse a distance equal to s


( )

rt
( ) from Example 1 tells us where the particle is when t time units have passed
rt
( ) from Example 3 tells us where the particle is when it has traversed s distance

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Jia Shing Wee Winter 2022

6. Tangent, Normal & Binormal (TNB) Frames


In Calculus III so far, we learn that we can describe the position and direction of a particle
using i j and k. That's all well and good, as long as we are standing at the constant position
,

and choose our position as the frame of reference.

Think of an airplane in the sky. We can describe its i , j and k distance relative to where we
are standing, taking our position as the origin.
Now, what about the pilot? His frame of reference is constantly changing as the plane is
changing position and direction. That moving frame of reference is what the TNB Frames
describe.

Figure 4: TNB Frames of a particle at different positions


Here is a GIF to see the TNB Frame in action.

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Jia Shing Wee Winter 2022

At every point, the TNB Frames gives us the unit vectors:

Name Describes Airplane Formula


Component
Tangent (T) Direction particle is Nose
Ttrt ′( )

Heading
rt
( ) =

‖ ′( )‖

Normal (N
Nt T t
)
Direction particle is Tail ′( )
Turning
Tt
( ) =

‖ ′( )‖

Binormal (B )
Direction particle is Wings Bt Tt Nt
( ) = ( )⨯ ( )
Twisting OR
Bt r t r t ′( ) ⨯ ″( )

rt r t
( ) =

‖ ′( ) ⨯ ″( )‖

Note: Notice how the t in Figure 4 is pointing to the direction that the particle is heading.

Each of the TNB vectors are unit vectors that are mutually orthogonal. In essence, that
are like i j and k, but with its frame of reference moving along with the particle.
,

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Jia Shing Wee Winter 2022

Question:
A unit normal vector (N) is orthogonal to both the unit tangent vector (T).
This follows directly from the fact that every vector with a constant length is
perpendicular to its tangent vector i.e. r t c r t r t .
‖ ( )‖ = ⇔ ′( ) ⟂ ( )

How do we prove this?


Proof:
We know that:

rt rt
( )⋅ ( ) = ‖ ( )‖ rt 2

= c2

Differentiating both sides,


d rt r t dtd c 2

dt ( )⋅ ( ) =

r t rt rt
′( ) ⋅ ( )+ rt ( )⋅ ′( ) = 0

rt rt
2 ′( ) ⋅ ( ) = 0

rt rt ′( ) ⋅ ( ) = 0

Therefore, by the Orthogonality Check, we know that r t r t . ′( ) ⟂ ( )

Since T t is a unit vector, we know that T t


( ) ‖ , which is a constant.
( )‖ = 1

Hence, this proves that the normal vector is orthogonal to the tangent vector.

All the operations concerning the TNB Frames are quite operational and the difficulty of the
question depends heavily on the complexity of the given vector r t . Hence, I won't be going
( )

through example questions here but they will be included in my Problem Sets collection.

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Jia Shing Wee Winter 2022

7. Curvature
Definition 2 Curvature: The ratio of how the tangent vector is changing with respect
to arc length. The bigger the change over a fixed length, the curvier it is.

Formula
Tt
( )
OR
rt r t
‖ ′( ) ⨯ ″( )‖

rt rt
𝜅 = 𝜅 =
3
‖ ′( )‖ ‖ ′( )‖

Note: Use 2nd formula when you only need curvature and you have a polynomial (no
trigonometry or logarithms involved)

Let's see how did we arrive at the first formula above.


By Definition 2:
dT Ts
𝜅 = ‖
ds ‖ = ‖ ′( )‖

But that's inconvenient as we need to re-parameterize the vector to obtain the curvature.
Note that:
T t ddtT
′( ) =

dT ds
ds dt
= ⋅

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Jia Shing Wee Winter 2022

Then by re-arranging the formulas,


dT
dT dt
ds =
ds
dt
dT
dT ‖
dt ‖


ds ‖ =
ds

dt

Tt
( )

rt
𝜅 =

‖ ′( )‖

7.1. Different Forms of Curve


Forms Vector
y = fx
( ) t ft , ( ), 0

x = gy
( ) gt t ( ), , 0

x ft
= ( ); y gt
= ( ) ft gt
( ), ( ), 0

r = f
(𝜃) ft t ft t
( )cos , ( )sin( ), 0

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Jia Shing Wee Winter 2022

7.2. Curvature for y f x curve = ( )

This is also an interesting case that is worth a mention.


Since y = f x , we know that,
( )

rt xi fx j
( ) = + ( )

If we use the second formula for the curvature, we will arrive at the following formula for
curvature:
𝜅 =
f x
| ″( )|

fx
3/2
2

1+ ′( )

Example 1 (Using the normal way to arrive at the above formula)

Find curvature of y = x 3
+1

Solution
rt t t
( ) = ,
3
+ 1, 0

rt
′( ) =t 1, 3
2
, 0

r t
″( ) = t 0, 6 , 0

rt
‖ ′( )‖ = 1+9 t 4

rt rt
′( ) ⨯ ′( ) = 0, 0, 6 t
rt rt
‖ ′( ) ⨯ ′( )‖ = 6 t
∴ 𝜅 =
t
6

1+9 t 4

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Jia Shing Wee Winter 2022

8. Torsion
Definition 3 Torsion: A measure of a curve's "failure to be contained in a plane".

Formula

rt r t r t
- ddsB N
′( ) ⨯ ″( ) ⋅ ‴( )

OR
rt r t
𝜏 = ⋅ 𝜏 =
2
‖ ′( ) ⨯ ″( )‖

8.1. Osculating Circle

Figure 5: Osculating Circle


At any point on a curve, there will be a circle that fits that curve best. It just touches the
curve or "kiss the curve", which is where the name osculating comes from.
At that particular point, the particle and the circle have the following characteristics:
1. Both have the same tangent
2. Both have the same curvature
3. The normal of the particle goes through the center of the circle
The Osculating Circle has:
1
1. Radius , where is the curvature
𝜅
𝜅(0)

2. Center r N , where is the curvature and N is the unit normal


1
(0) + (0) 𝜅
𝜅(0)

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Jia Shing Wee Winter 2022

8.2. Radius of Curvature

Figure 6: Note the difference in Radius of Osculating Circle


The radius of Osculating Circle is called the Radius of Curvature.
Notice that the more "curvy" the curve is in Figure 6, the smaller the Radius of Curvature.
Note also that in a straight line, the Radius of Curvature would be infinite since the
Osculating Circle has to be infinitely large. This shows the inverse relationship between the
two properties.
Hence, the formula for the Radius of Curvature is:
1
𝜌 =
𝜅

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Jia Shing Wee Winter 2022

8.3. Osculating Plane

Figure 7: Notice the unit vectors that each plane contains

Osculating Plane
1. Contains the Osculating Circle
2. Must contain T and N
3. B is normal for the Osculating Plane
4. To find the Equation of Osculating Plane
(a) find a Point by substituting the given t value
(b) Obtain B by T N ⨯

(c) use the formula a x-x b y-y c z-z


( 0) + ( 0) + ( 0) = 0 where a
, b c are the
,

component vectors of B
Normal Plane
1. Must contain N and B
2. Contains ALL vectors orthogonal to T
3. To find the Equation of Normal Plane
(a) find a Point by substituting the given t value
(b) use the formula a x-x b y-y c z-z
( 0) + ( 0) + ( 0) = 0 where a , b c are the
,

component vectors of T
An example of this can be found here.

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Jia Shing Wee Winter 2022

9. Velocity and Acceleration


For a vector function, r t ( )

Velocity, v t r t
( ) = ′( )

Acceleration, a t v t( ) = ′( ) = r t
″( )

Speed = v t ‖ ( )‖

Often, acceleration is broken up into a tangential component, aT and a normal


component, aN .
They are tangential and normal to the curve respectively. Hence, we can write acceleration as,

a aT T aN N
= +

If we define v vt
= ‖ ( )‖ , then the tangential and normal components of acceleration are given
by,

aT v r t r t ′( ) ⋅ ″( )

rt
= ′ =

‖ ′( )‖

aN v r t r t
2
‖ ′( ) ⨯ ″( )‖

rt
= 𝜅 =

‖ ′( )‖

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Jia Shing Wee Winter 2022

10. Projectile Motion


The Projectile Motion formula is given by,

rt
( ) = v 0 cos 𝛼 ti h v
+ + 0 sin 𝛼 t- gt j
1

2
2

Where:
v
= Initial Velocity
0

= Angle of Inclination
𝛼

h = Height
g = Acceleration of Gravity ( ft 32 / s)
2

To find time where particle lands


Set height (y) as 0 and find t.
To find Max Range:
Set height (y) as 0 and substitute t into range (x).
To find Max Height
Find y and find t. Then substitute t into y.
′ = 0

To find Impact Velocity


Find r t and substitute t that is landing time
′( )

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Jia Shing Wee Winter 2022

References
Calculus III. (n.d.). Calculus III - Paul’s Online Math Notes - Lamar University. Retrieved
March 1, 2022, from https://tutorial.math.lamar.edu/classes/calciii/calciii.aspx
Leonard, [Professor Leonard]. (2016, May 20). Calculus 3 (Full Length Videos) [Video].
YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDesaqWTN6ESk16YRmzuJ8f6-
rnuy0Ry7

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