What is the parametrization of the graph of ln(x)?

In summary, to find the limit as x approaches positive infinity of the curvature of y=ln(x), parametrize the graph as x(t)=(t,ln(t)) with v= (1,1/t) and T= (\frac{t}{\sqrt{t^2+ 1}}, \frac{1}{t\sqrt{t^2+ 1}}). The maximum curvature occurs at the point t=1.
  • #1
lovexmango
1
0
Let k(x) be the curvature of y=ln(x) at x. Find the limit as x approaches to the positive infinity of k(x). At what point does the curve have maximum curvature?

You're supposed to parametrize the graph of ln(x), which I found to be x(t)=(t,ln(t)). And you're not allowed to use the formula with the second derivative, only k(t)=magnitude T'(t)/ magnitude v'(t).
I have problem simplifying the formula for T'(t) and k(t).
 
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  • #2
If x= (t, ln(t)) then v= (1, 1/t) so |v| is [itex]\sqrt{1+ 1/t^2}[/itex] and [itex]T= (\frac{1}{\sqrt{1+ 1/t^2}}, \frac{1}{t^2\sqrt{1+ 1/t^2}})[/itex].

To simplify [itex]t^2\sqrt{1+ 1/t^2}[/itex], take one of the "[itex]t^2[/itex]" inside the square root: [tex]t\sqrt{t^2+ 1}[/tex]. You can simplify the first component by multiplying both numerator and denominator by t: [itex]\sqrt{1}{\sqrt{1+ 1/t^2}}= \frac{t}{t\sqrt{1+ 1/t^2}}= \frac{t}{\sqrt{t^2+ 1}}[/itex]. So [itex]T= (\frac{t}{\sqrt{t^2+ 1}}, \frac{1}{t\sqrt{t^2+ 1}})[/itex]
 

1. What is the curvature of natural log?

The curvature of natural log is a measure of how sharply the graph of the natural logarithm function curves at a specific point. It is also known as the second derivative of the function.

2. How is the curvature of natural log calculated?

The curvature of natural log can be calculated using the formula: k = |f''(x)| / [1 + (f'(x))^2]^3/2, where f''(x) is the second derivative of the function and f'(x) is the first derivative. Alternatively, it can also be calculated using the formula: k = dy/dx / [1 + (dy/dx)^2]^3/2, where dy/dx represents the slope of the tangent line at a specific point on the graph.

3. What does the curvature of natural log represent?

The curvature of natural log represents the rate of change of the slope of the natural logarithm function at a specific point. It indicates how much the graph of the function is curving or bending at that point.

4. How does the curvature of natural log relate to the concavity of the function?

The curvature of natural log is directly related to the concavity of the function. A positive curvature indicates that the function is concave up, meaning it curves upwards like a smile. A negative curvature indicates that the function is concave down, meaning it curves downwards like a frown. A curvature of zero indicates that the function is linear and has no curvature or concavity.

5. Can the curvature of natural log be negative?

Yes, the curvature of natural log can be negative. This indicates that the function is concave down at that point. However, it is important to note that the natural logarithm function has a positive curvature for all values greater than 1, and a negative curvature for all values between 0 and 1. It is only at x=1 that the curvature is zero.

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