Elements of the Differential and Integral Calculus/Chapter VI
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| ←Chapter V,§ 62–63 | Elements of the Differential and Integral Calculus by Chapter VI, § 64–66 |
Chapter VI,§ 67–73→ |
[edit] CHAPTER VI
SIMPLE APPLICATIONS OF THE DERIVATIVE
64. Direction of a curve. It was shown in § 32, p. 31, that if
- y = f(x)
is the equation of a curve (see figure), then
slope of line tangent to the curve at any point P.
The direction of a curve at any point is defined to be the same as the direction of the line tangent to the curve at that point. From this it follows at once that
slope of the curve at any point P.
At a particular point whose coördinates are known we write
slope of the curve (or tangent) at point (x1,y1).
At points such as D, F, H, where the curve (or tangent) is parallel to the axis of X;
- τ = 0°; therefore
.
At points such as A, B, G, where the curve (or tangent) is perpendicular to the axis of X;
- τ = 90°; therefore
.
At points such as E, where the curve is rising,[1]
an acute angle; therefore
a positive number.
The curve (or tangent) has a positive slope to the left of B, between D and F, and to the right of G.
At points such as C, where the curve is falling,[1]
an obtuse angle; therefore
a negative number.
The curve ( or tangent) has a negative slope between B and D, and between F and G.
ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE 1. Given the curve
(see figure).
(a) Find τ when x = 1.
(b) Find τ when x = 3.
(c) Find the points where the curve is parallel to OX.
(d) Find the points where τ = 45°.
(e) Find the points where the curve is parallel to the line 2x − 3y = 6 (line AB).
Solution. Differentiating,
slope at any point.
(a)
; therefore τ = 135°. Ans.
(b)
; therefore τ = arctan3. Ans.
(c) τ = 0°,
; therefore x2 − 2x = 0. Solving this equation, we find that x = 0 or 2, giving points C and D where the curve (or tangent) is parallel to OX.
(d) τ = 45°,
; therefore x2 − 2x = 1. Solving, we get
, giving two points where the slope of the curve (or tangent) is unity.
(e) Slope of line
; therefore
. Solving, we get
, giving points E and F where curve (or tangent) is parallel to line AB.
Since a curve at any point has the same direction as its tangent at that point, the angle between two curves at a common point will be the angle between their tangents at that point.
ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE 2. Find the angle of intersection of the circles
(A) x2 + y2 − 4x = 1,
(B) x2 + y2 − 2y = 9
Solution. Solving simultaneously, we find the points of intersection to be (3, 2) and (1, -2).
![]() |
from (A). |
By §63, p. 69 |
![]() |
from (B). |
By §63, p. 69 |
![]() |
slope of tangent to (A) at (3, 2). |
|
![]() |
= − 3 = slope of tangent to (B) at (3, 2). | |
The formula for finding the angle between two lines whose slopes are m1 and m2 is
| tanθ | . |
55, p. 3 [§ 1] |
Substituting,
; therefore θ = 45°. Ans.
This is also the angle of intersection at the point (1, -2).
The corresponding figure should be drawn in each of the following examples:
1. Find the slope of
at the origin. Ans. 1 = tanτ.
2. What angle does the tangent to the curve x2y2 = a3(x + y) at the origin make with the axis of X? Ans. τ = 135°.
3. What is the direction in which the point generating the graph of y = 3x2 − x tends to move at the instant when x = 1? Ans. Parallel to a line whose slope is 5.
4. Show that
(or slope) is constant for a straight line.
5. Find the points where the curve y = x3 − 3x2 − 9x + 5 is parallel to the axis of X. Ans. x = 3, x = -1.
6. At what point on y2 = 2x3 is the slope equal to 3? Ans. (2, 4).
7. At what points on the circle x2 + y2 = r2 is the slope of the tangent line equal to
? Ans.
.
8. Where will a point moving on the parabola y = x2 − 7x + 3 be moving parallel to the line y = 5x + 2? Ans. (6, -3).
9. Find the points where a particle moving on the circle x2 + y2 = 169 moves perpendicular to the line 5x + 12y = 60. Ans. (± 12, \mp 5).
10. Show that all the curves of the system y = logkx have the same slope; i.e. the slope is independent of k.
11. The path of the projectile from a mortar cannon lies on the parabola y = 2x − x2; the unit is 1 mile, OX being horizontal and OY vertical, and the origin being the point of projection. Find the direction of motion of the projectile
(a) at instant of projection;
(b) when it strikes a vertical cliff
miles distant.
(c) Where will the path make an inclination of 45° with the horizontal?
(d) Where will the projectile travel horizontally?
Ans. (a) arctan2; (b) 135°; (c)
; (d) (1, 1).
12. If the cannon in the preceding example was situated on a hillside of inclination 45°, at what angle would a shot fired up strike the hillside? Ans. 45°.
13. At what angles does a road following the line 3y − 2x − 8 = 0 intersect a railway track following the parabola y2 = 8x. Ans.
, and
.
14. Find the angle of intersection between the parabola y2 = 6x and the circle x2 + y2 = 16. Ans. 
15. Show that the hyperbola x2 − y2 = 5 and the ellipse
intersect at right angles.
16. Show that the circle x2 + y2 = 8ax and the cissoid 
(a) are perpendicular at the origin;
(b) intersect at an angle of 45° at two other points.
17. Find the angle of intersection of the parabola x2 = 4ay and the witch
. Ans. arctan3 = 71°33'.9.
18. Show that the tangents to the folium of Descartes x3 + y3 = 3axy at the points where it meets the parabola y2 = ax are parallel to the axis of Y.
19. At how many points will a particle moving on the curve y = x3 − 2x2 + x − 4 be moving parallel to the axis of X? What are the points? Ans. Two; at (1, - 4) and (
).
20. Find the angle at which the parabolas y = 3x2 − 1 and y = 2x2 + 3 intersect. Ans.
.
21. Find the relation between the coefficients of the conics a1x2 + b1y2 = 1 and a2x2 + b2y2 = 1 when they intersect at right angles. Ans.
.
65. Equations of tangent and normal, lengths of subtangent and subnormal. Rectangular coördinates. The equation of a straight line passing through the point (x1,y1) and having the slope m is
- y − y1 = m(x − x1). 54, (c), p. 3 [§ 1]
If this line is tangent to the curve AB at the point P(x1,y1), then from § 64, p. 73,
Hence at point of contact P1(x1,y1) the equation of the tangent line TP1 is
(1)
.
The normal being perpendicular to tangent, its slope is
![]() |
. |
By 55, p. 3 [§ 1] |
And since it also passes through the point of contact P1(x1,y1), we have for the equation of the normal P1N
(2)
.
That portion of the tangent which is intercepted between the point of contact and OX is called the length of the tangent ( = TP1), and its projection on the axis of X is called the length of the sub tangent (= TM). Similarly, we have the length of the normal ( = P1N) and the length of the subnormal (= MN).
In the triangle
; therefore
(3) TM[3]
length of subtangent.
In the triangle
; therefore
(4) MN[4]
length of subnormal.
The length of tangent ( = TP1) and the length of normal ( = P1N) may then be found directly from the figure, each being the hypotenuse of a right triangle having the two legs known. Thus
![]() |
![]() |
|
| (5) | = length of tangent. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
|
| (6) | = length of normal. |
The student is advised to get the lengths of the tangent and of the normal directly from the figure rather than by using (5) and (6).
When the length of subtangent or subnormal at a point on a curve is determined, the tangent and normal may be easily constructed.
1. Find the equations of tangent and normal, lengths of subtangent, subnormal tangent, and normal at the point (a,a) on the cissoid
.
| Solution. | ![]() |
. |
| Hence | ![]() |
slope of tangent. |
| Substituting in (1) gives | ||
| y | = 2x − a, equation of tangent. | |
| Substituting in (2) gives | ||
| 2y + x | = 3a, equation of normal. | |
| Substituting in (3) gives | ||
| TM | length of subtangent. |
|
| Substituting in (4) gives | ||
| MN | = 2a = length of subnormal. | |
Also
length of tangent.
and
length of normal.
2. Find equations of tangent and normal to the ellipse x2 + 2y2 − 2xy − x = 0 at the points where x = 1.
Ans. At (1,0),2y = x − 1,y + 2x = 2.
At (1,1),2y = x + 1,y + 2x = 3.
3. Find equations of tangent and normal, lengths of subtangent and subnormal at the point (x1,y1) on the circle x2 + y2 = r2.[5]
.4. Show that the subtangent to the parabola y2 = 4px is bisected at the vertex, and that the subnormal is constant and equal to 2p.
5. Find the equation of the tangent at (x1,y1) to the ellipse
.
Ans.
.
6. Find equations of tangent and normal to the witch
as at the point where x = 2a.
Ans. x + 2y = 4a,y = 2x − 3a.
7. Prove that at any point on the catenary
the lengths of subnormal and normal are
respectively.
8. Find equations of tangent and normal, lengths of subtangent and subnormal, to each of the following curves at the points indicated:
(a) y = x3 at . |
(e) y = 9 − x2 at ( − 3,0). |
| (b) y2 = 4x at (9, − 6). | (f) x2 = 6y where x = − 6. |
| (c) x2 + 5y2 = 14 where y = 1. | (g) x2 − xy + 2x − 9 = 0, (3,2). |
| (d) x2 + y2 = 25 at ( − 3, − 4). | (h) 2x2 − y2 = 14 at (3, − 2). |
9. Prove that the length of subtangent to y = ax is constant and equal to
.
10. Get the equation of tangent to the parabola y2 = 20x which makes an angle of 45° with the axis of X.
Ans. y = x + 5.
HINT. First find point of contact by method of Illustrative Example 1, (d), p. 74 [§ 64].
11. Find equations of tangents to the circle x2 + y2 = 52 which are parallel to the line 2x + 3y = 6.
Ans.
.
12. Find equations of tangents to the hyperbola 4x2 − 9y2 + 36 = 0 which are perpendicular to the line 2y + 5x = 10.
Ans.
.
13. Show that in the equilateral hyperbola 2xy = a2 the area of the triangle formed by a tangent and the coördinate axes is constant and equal to a2.
14. Find equations of tangents and normals to the curve y2 = 2x2 − x3 at the points where x = 1.
Ans. At (1,1),2y = x + 1,y + 2x = 3.
At (1, − 1),2y = − x − 1,y − 2x = − 3.
15. Show that the sum of the intercepts of the tangent to the parabola
on the coordinate axes is constant and equal to a.
16. Find the equation of tangent to the curve x2(x + y) = a2(x − y) at the origin.
Ans. y = x.
17. Show that for the hypocycloid
that portion of the tangent included between the coördinate axes is constant and equal to a.
18. Show that the curve
has a constant subtangent.
66. Parametric equations of a curve. Let the equation of a curve be
(A) F(x,y) = 0.
If x is given as a function of a third variable, t say, called a parameter, then by virtue of (A) y is also a function of t, and the same functional relation (A) between x and y may generally be expressed by means of equations in the form
(B) 
each value of t giving a value of x and a value of y. Equations (B) are called parametric equations of the curve. If we eliminate t between equations (B), it is evident that the relation (A) must result. For example, take equation of circle
| x2 + y2 | = r2 or . |
|
| Let | x | = rcost; then |
| y | = rsint, and we have | |
| (C) | ![]() |
= rcost |
| = rsint |
as parametric equations of the circle in the figure, t being the parameter.
If we eliminate t between equations (C) by squaring and adding the results, we have
- x2 + y2 = r2(cos2t + sin2t) = r2,
the rectangular equation of the circle. It is evident that if t varies from 0 to 2π, the point P(x,y) will describe a complete circumference.
In § 71 we shall discuss the motion of a point P, which motion is defined by equations such as
.
We call these the parametric equations of the path, the time t being the parameter. Thus in Ex. 2, p. 93, we see that
are really the parametric equations of the trajectory of a projectile, the time t being the parameter. The elimination of t gives the rectangular equation of the trajectory
.
Since from (B) y is given as a function of t, and t as a function of x, we have
![]() |
![]() |
by XXV | |
; |
by XXVI | ||
| that is, | |||
| (D) | ![]() |
. |
|
Hence, if the parametric equations of a curve are given, we can find equations of tangent and normal, lengths of subtangent and subnormal at a given point on the curve, by first finding the value of
at that point from (D) and then substituting in formulas (1), (2), (3), (4) of the last section.
ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE 1. Find equations of tangent and normal, lengths of subtangent and subnormal to the ellipse
(E)
[6]
at the point where
.
| Solution. The parameter being φ, | , |
. |
Substituting
in the given equations (E), we get
as the point of contact. Hence
![]() |
. |
|
| Substituting in (1), p. 76, | ![]() |
, |
| or, | bx + ay | , equation of tangent. |
| Substituting in (2), p. 76, | ![]() |
, |
| or, | ![]() |
a2 − b2, equation of normal. |
| Substituting in (3) and (4), p. 77, | ||
![]() |
length of subnormal. |
|
![]() |
length of subtangent. |
|
ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE 2. Given equation of the cycloid[7] in parametric form
θ being the variable parameter; find lengths of subtangent, subnormal, tangent, and normal at the point where
.
![]() |
. |
|
| Substituting in (D), p. 80, | ![]() |
slope at any point. |
Since
, the point of contact is
, and
.
Substituting in (3), (4), (5), (6) of the last section, we get
| length of subtangent | , |
length of subnormal | , |
| length of tangent | , |
length of normal | . Ans. |
EXAMPLES
Find equations of tangent and normal, lengths of sub tangent and subnormal to each of the following curves at the point indicated:
| Tangent | Normal | Subt. | Subn. | |
| 1. x = t2,2y = t;t = 1. | x − 4y + 1 = 0, | 8x + 2y − 9 = 0, | 2, | . |
| 2. x = t,y = t3,t = 2. | 12x − y − 16 = 0, | x + 12y − 98 = 0, | , |
96. |
| 3. x = t2,y = t3,t = 1. | 3x − 2y − 1 = 0, | 2x + 3y − 5 = 0, | , |
. |
| 4. x = 2et,y = e − t,t = 0. | x + 2y − 4 = 0, | 2x − y − 3 = 0, | -2, | . |
5. . |
2y + 4x − 3 = 0, | 4y − 2x − 1 = 0, | , |
-1 |
6. x = 1 − t,y = t2;t = 3.
7. x = 3t;y = 6t − t2;t = 0.
8. x = t3;y = t;t = 2.
9. x = t3,y = t2;t = − 1.
10. x = 2 − t;y = 3t2;t = 1.
11.
.
12. x = 3e − t,y = 2et;t = 0.
13.
.
14.
.
15. x = log(t + 2),y = t;t = 2.
In the following curves find lengths of (a) subtangent, (b) subnormal, (c) tangent, (d) normal, at any point:
| 16. The curve | ![]() |
Ans. (a) ycott, (b) ytant, (c) , (d) . |
|
| 17. The hypocycloid (astroid) | ![]() |
Ans. (a) − ycott, (b) − ytant, (c) , (d) . |
|
| 18. The circle | ![]() |
| 19. The cardioid | ![]() |
| 20. The folium | ![]() |
| 21. The hyperbolic spiral | ![]() |
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 When moving from left to right on curve.
- ↑ By this notation is meant that we should first find
, then in the result substitute x1 for x and y1 for y. The student is warned against interpreting the symbol
to mean the derivative of y1 with respect to x1, for that has no meaning whatever, since x1 and y1 are both constants. - ↑ If subtangent extends to the right of T, we consider it positive; if to the left, negative.
- ↑ If subnormal extends to the right of M, we consider it positive; if to the left, negative.
- ↑ In Exs. 3 and 5 the student should notice that if we drop the subscripts in equations of tangents, they reduce to the equations of the curves themselves.
- ↑ As in the figure draw the major and minor auxiliary circles of the ellipse. Through two points B and C on the same radius draw lines parallel to the axes of coördinates. These lines will intersect in a point P(x,y) on the ellipse, because
x = OA = OBcosφ = acosφ and y = AP = OD = OCsinφ = bsinφ, or,
and
.Now squaring and adding, we get
,
- ↑
The path described by a point on the circumference of a circle which rolls without sliding on a fixed straight line is called the cycloid. Let the radius of the rolling circle be a, P the generating point, and M the point of contact with the fixed line OX, which is called the base. If arc PM equals OM in length, then P will touch at O if the circle is rolled to the left. We have, denoting angle POM by θ,
- x = OM − NM = aθ − asinθ = a(θ − sinθ),
- y = PN = MC − AC = a − acosθ = a(1 − cosθ),
the parametric equations of the cycloid, the angle θ through which the rolling circle turns being the parameter. OD = 2πa is called the base of one arch of the cycloid, and the point V is called the vertex. Eliminating θ, we get the rectangular equation


from (A).
from (B).![\left [ \frac{2 - x}{y} \right ]_{x = 3, y = 2}](http://upload.wikimedia.org/math/1/4/3/143150f6dd2dac1a5bdc9692ec7a9c3e.png)
slope of tangent to (A) at (3, 2).![\left [ \frac{x}{1 - y} \right ]_{x = 3, y = 2}](http://upload.wikimedia.org/math/d/3/a/d3a078600bcbea552bcce6067ed7ce2f.png)
.
![m = \tan \tau = \left [ \frac{dy}{dx} \right ]_{x=x_1, y=y_1} = \frac{dy_1}{dx_1}](http://upload.wikimedia.org/math/7/c/6/7c63b4238ebd43a1d769a5f8eb65afa0.png)

.

= length of tangent.

= length of normal.
.![\frac{dy_1}{dx_1} = \left [ \frac{dy}{dx} \right ]_{x = a, y = a}](http://upload.wikimedia.org/math/9/d/f/9df98fb0bac3ca1b49a1ea6987023d3f.png)
slope of tangent.
length of subtangent.
.

.


;
.
,
.
.
,
, equation of tangent.
,

length of subnormal.
length of subtangent.

.
slope at any point.
,
,
.
,
.
.
.
,
, (d)
.






