Find the curve given the tangent

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SUMMARY

The curve c(t) is determined by the tangent vector T(t) = (-sin(t), cos(t)). Given that the curve passes through the origin (0,0), the solution is derived as c(t) = (cos(t) - 1, sin(t)). The constants C and K are calculated to ensure that the curve intersects the specified point, resulting in C = -1 and K = 0. The relationship between the tangent vector and the derivative of the curve is established through the normalization of c'(t).

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Homework Statement



Given that the tangent to the curve c(t) at any point on the curve is T(t) = (-sin(t), cos(t) ), find c(t) if the curve passes through the point (0,0).

The Attempt at a Solution



I try to let
c(t) = ( x(t), y(t) )
Then
c'(t) = ( x'(t), y'(t) )
| c'(t) | = \sqrt{[x'(t)]^2 + [y'(t)]^2 }
And
T(t) = \frac{c'(t)}{|c'(t)|}

However this is complicated and consequently I am not sure how to solve it. I am also not sure how to "use" the point given since (0, 0) correspond the the values x and y respectively rather than t.

Thanks.
 
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If you had c'(t) =<2t,1> then c(t) = <t2+A,t+B> where A,B=constant.


But you have

c'(t)/|c'(t)| = <-sint,cost>

so what is c(t) ? (note that |c'(t)| is just a constant)

At (0,0), t=0. So what is c(t) now?
 
rock.freak667 said:
If you had c'(t) =<2t,1> then c(t) = <t2+A,t+B> where A,B=constant.


But you have

c'(t)/|c'(t)| = <-sint,cost>

so what is c(t) ? (note that |c'(t)| is just a constant)

At (0,0), t=0. So what is c(t) now?

c(t) = (cos(t) + C, sin(t) + K)
t= 0, point is (0,0)

So x(t) = 1 + C = 0, C = -1
And y(t) = 0 + K, K=0

So c(t) = (cos(t) -1 , sin(t) ) ?
 
madachi said:
c(t) = (cos(t) + C, sin(t) + K)
t= 0, point is (0,0)

So x(t) = 1 + C = 0, C = -1
And y(t) = 0 + K, K=0

So c(t) = (cos(t) -1 , sin(t) ) ?

Yes but you forgot out |c'(t)| which is the distance from the center to any tangent. In this case it would just be the same as |T(t)|
 

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