# Angle between vector and tangent vector

Tags:
1. Jan 24, 2017

### Prof. 27

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
My problem is:

For the logarithmic spiral R(t) = (e^t cost, e^t sint), show that the angle between R(t) and the tangent vector at R(t) is independent of t.

2. Relevant equations
N/A

3. The attempt at a solution
The tangent vector is just the vector that you get when you take the derivative of each element of the vector so:

R(t) = (e^t cost, e^t sint)
R'(t) = (e^t*cost-e^t*sint, e^t*sint + e^t*cost)

First I tried to show that the dot product was zero using the multiply the x's and y's then add method. This would imply that the angle between the vector and tangent vector was always ninety degrees; unfortunately as can be seen from an inspection of the two vectors, the dot product is e^2t.

Then I went the long route and used the dot product formula (a dot b = ||a||*||b||*cos(@)) to try to calculate a single angle @ that held constant between them. This was also a bust.

e^2t = ||R(t)|| * ||R'(t)||* cos(@) = sqrt(e^2t) * sqrt(2*e^2t) * cos(@)
= sqrt(2*e^4t) * cos(@).

It is easy to then see that @ = cos^-1(e^2t / sqrt(2*e^(4t)), which is obviously still dependant on t.

Any ideas?

2. Jan 24, 2017

### ehild

What is $\sqrt{2e^{4t}}$?

3. Jan 24, 2017

### LCKurtz

Note that $\sqrt{e^{2t}} = e^t$. Then recheck your $\|\vec R'\| = \sqrt{2e^{2t}}$. Get it right and that last line will do it for you.

Know someone interested in this topic? Share this thread via Reddit, Google+, Twitter, or Facebook

Have something to add?
Draft saved Draft deleted