Recent content by ziggy

Thanks man, I've been waiting for a reply that makes sense for months (you're the first one!). However, my degree is over and I now understand how to find the axis and pitch of a general helix. So thanks again for taking the time to answer my query.

I'm trying to find the equation of a curve in R3 where k=t=a/(s^2+b) where k is the curvature, t is the torsion and a,b are constants contained in R. I've spent weeks on this problem and at the moment it's driving me nuts since I always seem to end up with an impossible integral. Any help or...

Basically a vector function would be as an example r(t)=ti+tj+(t^2)k which in this case is a parabola in R3. The position, direction and magnitude of r(t) changes as t increases. For a scalar function, only its magnitude changes as the independent variable t changes, i.e. f(t) is contained in R...

Thanks for the effort you put into your reply, that gives me a lot to be thinking about. Can I ask, in your reply is k the curvature of the general helix?

best books for differential geometry i'm a third year math student and the best one I've come across is 'differential geometry, schaum's outline series, auther-martin lipschultz'. hope this is helpfull.

I'm trying to understand how to find the axis of a helix but so far I seem to be hitting a blank. How for instance would I go about finding the axis of the helix r(t)=(e^t)costi+(e^t)sin(t)j+(e^t)k ? I would be very gratefull for any and all assistance.