Finding parametric equations of a tangent line

grog
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Homework Statement



Find parametric equations of the tangent line at the point (-2,2,4) to the curve of intersection of the surface z=2x2-y2 and the plane z=4

Homework Equations



Not sure


The Attempt at a Solution



Not sure quite how to approach this. take the gradient of 2x^2-y^2 and just plug for x=rcos[tex]\Theta[/tex] and y=r sin[tex]\Theta[/tex] ?

That seems too simple..
 
on Phys.org
The gradient gives you a normal direction for each surface. Then the tangent is perpendicular to both normals. How can you find a vector perpendicular to two other vectors?
 
so I would end up with 4x-2y and zero for the two normal vectors? and then take the cross product of the two? I think I may be confusing some concepts here.
 
grog said:
so I would end up with 4x-2y and zero for the two normal vectors? and then take the cross product of the two? I think I may be confusing some concepts here.

Probably. The gradient is a vector. Those don't look like vectors. Better check the definition of 'gradient'.
 

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