Finding the line tangent to a curve

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on finding the equation of the tangent line to the parametric curve defined by x = 2 cos t and y = 2 sin t at t = π/4. The slope of the tangent line is calculated as -1, leading to the equation y = -x + 2√2. The participant disputes the textbook's answer of y = -x + 2, asserting that it does not pass through the point (√2, √2), highlighting a discrepancy in the textbook's solution.

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  • Understanding of parametric equations
  • Knowledge of derivatives and slope calculation
  • Familiarity with trigonometric functions (sin and cos)
  • Ability to manipulate linear equations
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  • Study the derivation of tangent lines for parametric equations
  • Learn about the application of derivatives in finding slopes
  • Explore common errors in solving parametric equations
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Students studying calculus, particularly those learning about parametric equations and tangent lines, as well as educators looking for examples of common misconceptions in textbook solutions.

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Homework Statement


Find an equation for the line tangent to the curve at the point defined by the given value of t.
x = 2 cos t
y = 2 sin t
t = pi/4

Homework Equations


sin (pi/4) = sqrt(2)/2
cos (pi/4) = sqrt(2)/2

The Attempt at a Solution



Determining the slope:
[dy/dt]/[dx/dt] = [2 cos t]/[-2 sin t]
= [2 cos (pi/4)]/[-2 sin (pi/4)]
= [2 (sqrt(2)/2)]/[-2 (sqrt(2)/2)]
= [sqrt(2)]/[-sqrt(2)]
= -1
slope = -1

Finding the line:
y = mx+b
m = -1
2 sin t = -1(2 cos t)+ b
2 sin t = -2 cos t + b
2 sin (pi/4) = -2 cos(pi/4) + b
2 [sqrt(2)/2] = -2 [sqrt(2)/2] + b
sqrt(2) = -sqrt(2) + b
b = 2 sqrt(2)

y = -1x + 2 sqrt(2)

The answer the book has says [y = -x + 2]. I'm not sure what I did wrong with the problem.
 
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The book is certainly wrong. y=(-x)+2 doesn't work at all.
 
For one thing, [itex]\sqrt{2}\ne -\sqrt{2}+ 2[/itex] so that line does not even pass through the point [itex](\sqrt{2},\sqrt{2})[/itex].
 

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