Calculating Equation of Evolute for Catenary Curve

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the equation of the evolute for the catenary curve defined by the parametric equation \(\gamma(t) = (t, \cosh(t))\). The correct arclength for this curve is derived as \(s(t) = \sinh(t)\), which corrects an earlier misunderstanding regarding the arclength formula. It is confirmed that the definition of the evolute can be applied to any parametrization, not just unit-speed curves. This clarification allows for the accurate calculation of the evolute without the need for unit-speed parametrization.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of parametric equations in calculus
  • Familiarity with hyperbolic functions, specifically \(\cosh(t)\) and \(\sinh(t)\)
  • Knowledge of arclength calculation for curves
  • Concept of evolutes in differential geometry
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the evolute for various types of curves
  • Learn about unit-speed parametrization and its applications
  • Explore the properties and applications of hyperbolic functions
  • Investigate differential geometry concepts related to curvature and evolutes
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, physics students, and engineers interested in differential geometry and the properties of curves, particularly those working with catenary shapes and their evolutes.

T-O7
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Ok, so i need to calculate the equation of the evolute for the catenary
[tex]\gamma(t)= (t,cosh(t))[/tex].
I'm not really sure how to do this, the definition of evolute I have requires a unit-speed parametrization, but it looks a little difficult to find that also (the arclength if I'm correct is given by
[tex]s(t)=\frac{1}{2}(sin(2t)+t)[/tex]).

Is there some "standard" way of finding the evolute?
 
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You are NOT correct about the arclength (did you confuse cosh(t) with cos(t)?).

if [itex]\gamma(t)= (t, cosh(t))[/itex] then the arclength is given by [tex]\integral\sqrt{1+ sinh^2(t)}dt= \integral cosh(t)dt= sinh(t)[/itex].[/tex]
 
Yeah, i made a boo boo calculating the arclength :redface: . And apparently the definition i was given for the evolute of a unit-speed curve can also be used for any other parametrization of the curve, so everything's a-okay. :smile:
 

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