Cycloids and related curves questions

  • Thread starter Thread starter smartblonde
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Curves
Click For Summary
The discussion revolves around three complex questions related to cycloids and cardioids, focusing on finding the unit tangent vector, estimating slopes, and deriving coordinates. The user expresses confusion about calculating the tangent vector and the speed at specific angles, questioning the relationship between angular speed and the tangent vector. Additionally, they seek clarification on using L'Hopital's rule to estimate slopes and understanding approximations in their calculations. The final question involves deriving coordinates for a cardioid, which the user finds particularly challenging. Overall, the thread highlights the difficulties in understanding advanced mathematical concepts related to cycloids and the need for guidance in solving these problems.
smartblonde
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
I have three questions that I'm going to roll into one. I'm going insane trying to figure these out.

1. Find the unit tangent vector T to the cycloid. Also find the speed at theta=0 and theta=Pi, if the wheel turns at dtheta/dt=1.

that dtheta/dt is the speed, right? I'm a little baffled as to how I'm supposed to find a tangent vector when I don't even know what the cycloid is. I think it has something to do with v/|v|, but that doesn't change the fact I don't know how to answer the question. I'm sorry for not having gotten further with this, I need a nudge.


2. The slope of the clycloid is infinite at theta=0: dy/dx= sin(theta)/(1-cos(theta)). Estimate the slope at theta=(1/10) and theta=(-1/10).

I know I need to use L'Hopital's rule, but the answer my key is giving me is confusing me a bit. here's my main question: how does (sin(theta))/(1 - cos(theta))=approx (theta)/(((theta)^2)/2)? after that, I think I understand.

3. For a cardioid the radius C - 1 of the fixed circle equals the radius 1 of the circle rolling outside (epicycloid with C=2). (a) The coordinates of P are x = -1+2cos(theta)- cos(2theta), y=____________. (b) the double-angle formulas yield x= 2 cos(theta)(1-cos(theta)), y=_______________. (c) x^2 + y^2 =_______________ so its square root is r=________________.

this is the one I'm really struggling with. I've been sitting here trying to make sense of it for about an hour and I just DO NOT GET IT AT ALL. I'm getting really frustrated and I really really really need someone to guide me through it. I'm sorry I don't have any work to show for my efforts, but I know nothing I've got is right. I have an answer key for this one, but it's not proving very useful.

please, I really need help!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Smartblonde
Read the short history of Mersenne the French mathematician and his associates.Your problem took years of work before they got an answer.Some failed completely.Mersenne studied cycloids for over 20 years.If you are impatient after a couple of hours where does that leave you?For really difficult problems ,when you explain the result nobody will understand you at all.
 
Question: A clock's minute hand has length 4 and its hour hand has length 3. What is the distance between the tips at the moment when it is increasing most rapidly?(Putnam Exam Question) Answer: Making assumption that both the hands moves at constant angular velocities, the answer is ## \sqrt{7} .## But don't you think this assumption is somewhat doubtful and wrong?

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
28
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
9
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K