# Hiker climbing, find the curve of projection of path on xy plane

## Homework Statement

a.) A hiker is climbing a mountain whose height is z = 1000 - 2x**2 - 3y**2. When he is at the point (1,1,995) in what direction should he move in order to ascent as rapidly as possible?
b.) If he continues along a path of steepest ascent, obtain the equation of the curve which gives the projection of his path in the xy plane

## The Attempt at a Solution

Part a is simply the gradient of the height equation which is (-4,-6) which simplifies to (-2,-3). What exactly do I need to find the equation of the projection of the path though? As I'm typing this I think it might involve a differential equation since I think the gradient I found might be the tangent of the projected curve, but I'm not sure. Any help is appreciated, Thanks.

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Dick
Homework Helper
Yes, the gradient is the tangent to the curve. And yes, finding the curve involves solving differential equations. Can you start it out?

does it start out as dy/dx=-2x-3y?

Dick
Homework Helper
does it start out as dy/dx=-2x-3y?
No. The gradient is a vector, isn't it? What vector is it? Think of the tangent vector as (dx/dt,dy/dt) where t is a time parameter.

Ok one last question. So I set it up as dx/dt=-2x and dy/dt=-3y and solved to x=e**(-2t)*c and y=e**(-3t)*c respectfully. However do I need to solve for c in anyway and is it relevant since its in both equations? Could I just set c as 1 and be done with? The only reason I see that as a solution because then when t=0 I get (1,1) which was the only point I was given initially. Is this correct?

Dick
Homework Helper
Ok one last question. So I set it up as dx/dt=-2x and dy/dt=-3y and solved to x=e**(-2t)*c and y=e**(-3t)*c respectfully. However do I need to solve for c in anyway and is it relevant since its in both equations? Could I just set c as 1 and be done with? The only reason I see that as a solution because then when t=0 I get (1,1) which was the only point I was given initially. Is this correct?
Yes, you should reach the conclusion that both c's are 1. Now can you figure out a way to eliminate the t and write the curve only in terms of x and y?

Well the current parametric equation should do, but I could solve for t in one equation and just substitute into the other. Thanks for all the help too

Dick