Eliminating Parameter for <-rsinθ,rcosθ> ≠ assumed function

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the elimination of parameters in vector functions representing semicircles, specifically examining the relationships between the functions r(θ) and r'(θ). Participants explore the implications of parameter elimination on the resulting equations and the geometric interpretations of these functions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion about why eliminating the parameter from r'(θ) = <-10sinθ, 10cosθ> leads back to the equation x² + y² = 10 instead of the derivative y' = -x/√(10-x²).
  • Another participant suggests that r'(θ) is perpendicular to r(θ) and that both vectors have the same magnitudes, implying that r'(θ) traces the same path as r(θ) but is offset by π/2 radians.
  • There is a discussion about the differences between the derivatives y' and r', with one participant arguing that they measure different rates of change and thus cannot be directly compared.
  • A participant mentions a property from their calculus book regarding the dot product of r(θ) and r'(θ) being zero when magnitudes are equal, questioning the relationship between perpendicularity and equal magnitudes.
  • Another participant asks whether the property of perpendicularity and equal magnitudes holds true only for circles.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the relationships between the functions and their derivatives, with no consensus reached on the implications of parameter elimination or the geometric interpretations involved.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge the complexity of the relationships between the functions and their derivatives, with some aspects remaining unresolved or dependent on further exploration of mathematical properties.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in vector calculus, parameterization of curves, and the geometric interpretations of derivatives may find this discussion relevant.

Ocata
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Hello, I am attempting to eliminate the parameter from r'(θ) = r'(θ)=<-10sinθ,10cosθ> , but when I do, I get back to the same equation as I would for eliminating the parameter for r(θ)=<10cosθ,10sinθ>

(1) [itex]x^2 + y^2 = 10[/itex]

[itex]y = \sqrt{10-x^2}[/itex]

(2) [itex]y' = \frac{-x}{\sqrt{10-x^2}}[/itex]

then,

since [itex]x^2 + y^2 = 10[/itex], if we let

[itex]x=\sqrt{10}cosθ[/itex]
[itex]y=\sqrt{10}sinθ[/itex], then

(3) r(θ)=<10cosθ,10sinθ>

(4)r'(θ)=<-10sinθ,10cosθ>

then how come if I let,

[itex]x=-\sqrt{10}sinθ[/itex]
[itex]y=\sqrt{10}cosθ[/itex],

I get

[itex]\frac{-x}{\sqrt10}=sinθ[/itex]
[itex]\frac{y}{\sqrt10}=cosθ[/itex]

[itex](\frac{-x}{\sqrt{10}})^2 + (\frac{y}{\sqrt{10}})^2= 1[/itex]

[itex]x^2 + y^2 = 10[/itex]

But, my question is:

Why does eliminating the parameter in

r'(θ)=<-10sinθ,10cosθ> ⇒ [itex]x^2 + y^2 = 10[/itex]

instead of what seems more intuitive:

r'(θ)=<-10sinθ,10cosθ> ⇒[itex]y' = \frac{-x}{\sqrt{10-x^2}}[/itex]It just feel like it would make more sense for a y(x) ⇒ r(θ) and y'(x) ⇒ r'(θ)

So I wonder why y(x) ⇒ r(θ) and y'(x) ⇒ r(θ)

In words, what I'm asking, is when I introduce the theta parameter for the semicircle (1), I get the paremetric/vector function (3). Then if I take the derivative of the semicircle I get (2), and when I introduce the theta parameter, I get (4). But if I eliminate the parameter in (3), I go back to (1), but when I eliminate the parameter of (4), I don't go back to (2), but instead go back to (1) as well.

Why does this occur?
 
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Ocata said:
Hello, I am attempting to eliminate the parameter from r'(θ) = r'(θ)=<-10sinθ,10cosθ> , but when I do, I get back to the same equation as I would for eliminating the parameter for r(θ)=<10cosθ,10sinθ>

(1) [itex]x^2 + y^2 = 10[/itex]

[itex]y = \sqrt{10-x^2}[/itex]

(2) [itex]y' = \frac{-x}{\sqrt{10-x^2}}[/itex]

then,

since [itex]x^2 + y^2 = 10[/itex], if we let

[itex]x=\sqrt{10}cosθ[/itex]
[itex]y=\sqrt{10}sinθ[/itex], then

(3) r(θ)=<10cosθ,10sinθ>

(4)r'(θ)=<-10sinθ,10cosθ>

then how come if I let,

[itex]x=-\sqrt{10}sinθ[/itex]
[itex]y=\sqrt{10}cosθ[/itex],

I get

[itex]\frac{-x}{\sqrt10}=sinθ[/itex]
[itex]\frac{y}{\sqrt10}=cosθ[/itex]

[itex](\frac{-x}{\sqrt{10}})^2 + (\frac{y}{\sqrt{10}})^2= 1[/itex]

[itex]x^2 + y^2 = 10[/itex]

But, my question is:

Why does eliminating the parameter in

r'(θ)=<-10sinθ,10cosθ> ⇒ [itex]x^2 + y^2 = 10[/itex]
Because r'(θ) is perpendicular to r(θ), and both vectors have the same magnitudes. This means that r'(θ) is ##\pi/2## "ahead" of r(θ), but is tracing out the same path.
Ocata said:
instead of what seems more intuitive:

r'(θ)=<-10sinθ,10cosθ> ⇒[itex]y' = \frac{-x}{\sqrt{10-x^2}}[/itex]It just feel like it would make more sense for a y(x) ⇒ r(θ) and y'(x) ⇒ r'(θ)
Not to me it doesn't. The two derivatives are different rates of change. y' measures how y changes relative to changes in x (which runs horizontally), while r' measures how r changes relative to changes in θ. To me this is apples and oranges.
Ocata said:
So I wonder why y(x) ⇒ r(θ) and y'(x) ⇒ r(θ)

In words, what I'm asking, is when I introduce the theta parameter for the semicircle (1), I get the paremetric/vector function (3). Then if I take the derivative of the semicircle I get (2), and when I introduce the theta parameter, I get (4). But if I eliminate the parameter in (3), I go back to (1), but when I eliminate the parameter of (4), I don't go back to (2), but instead go back to (1) as well.

Why does this occur?
 
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Thank you, this makes sense to me. I just came across the property r(θ)⋅r'(θ) = 0 if the magnitudes are equal in chapter 13 of my calculus book last week. I don't fully understand the proof just yet. I will work through it though. May I ask, are r(θ) perpendicular r'(θ) because they have equal magnitudes or do they have equal magnitudes because they are perpendicular. This is probably a chicken and the egg question that doesn't even makes sense. If the question is not even valid then don't worry about answering it.

Also, would this property only hold true for circles?
 
Ocata said:
Thank you, this makes sense to me. I just came across the property r(θ)⋅r'(θ) = 0 if the magnitudes are equal in chapter 13 of my calculus book last week. I don't fully understand the proof just yet. I will work through it though. May I ask, are r(θ) perpendicular r'(θ) because they have equal magnitudes or do they have equal magnitudes because they are perpendicular.
They are perpendicular because the angle between them is 90°; that is, one of them is the rotation of the other, with no other change, which makes their magnitudes equal.
Ocata said:
This is probably a chicken and the egg question that doesn't even makes sense. If the question is not even valid then don't worry about answering it.

Also, would this property only hold true for circles?
 
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Mark44, I will have to ponder this a bit more. I will return to this thread soon.
 

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