Find the angle made by two tangents

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on finding the angle made by two tangents to the parametric curve defined by the equations x = sin(2t) and y = sin(2t)cos(2t) at the point (0,0). The derivative of the parametric equations is calculated using the formula dy/dx = (dy/dt)/(dx/dt). The slopes at t = 0 and t = π/2 yield values of 1 and -1, respectively, leading to the conclusion that the angle between the tangents is 90 degrees. The correct interpretation emphasizes that the slopes do not average to find the angle; rather, the angle is determined directly from the slopes.

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Homework Statement


Find the angle made by the two tangents to the curve ##x=\sin2t## and ##y=\sin(2t)\cos(2t)## at the point ##(0,0)##

Homework Equations


##\frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{\frac{dy}{dt}}{\frac{dx}{dt}}##
(Derivative of a parametric equation)

The Attempt at a Solution


## x = \sin(2t) = 0 ## when ## t = 0, \frac{\pi}{2}, \pi,... ##
## y=\sin(2t)\cos(2t) = 0 ## at the same values of ## t##
Taking the derivative of the parametric equations by using the formula in part two, I get ##\frac{2\cos^2(2t)-2t\sin^2t}{2\cos(2t)}## I get to plug in any value of t, so I choose ##t=\pi/2##
With that t value, I get ## \frac{2(-1^2)-2(0)}{-2}## which is equal to ##-1##
Now I'll try ##t=0##, and I get ##1##. Using ##t=\pi## I also get one. Therefore, the angle must be between -1 and 1 and be equal to ## t = 0, \frac{\pi}{2}, \pi,... ##
My answer is 0.
The correct answer is ##\frac{\pi}{2}##
Could someone please enlighten me as to my mistake? That would be highly appreciated. Thanks.
 
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Think about what you calculated...
The slope you got at one time was 1, the slope you got at another time was -1 (both at the same point).
What is the angle between a line of slope 1 and a line of slope -1?

You don't want to guess that because you got -1 and 1 as answers, the best thing to do is average them to get 0. -1 and 1 have nothing directly to do with angles, those are your slopes (dy/dx)
 
I see! The angle between them is 90 degrees. Thank you so much.
 
Brian T said:
What is the angle between a line of slope 1 and a line of slope -1?

Now I get it! The angle is 90 degrees. Thank you so much!
 
Calpalned said:
Now I get it! The angle is 90 degrees. Thank you so much!

Glad to help. and just so you can visualize the parametrization:
http://www4b.wolframalpha.com/Calculate/MSP/MSP11162061a3322c6679i6000012f58ad84fgbh939?MSPStoreType=image/gif&s=64&w=286.&h=97.&cdf=Animation
We have two lines that cross the origin, with the slopes that you figured out.
 
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