How to find the derivative of the absolute value of a vector?

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The derivative of the absolute value of a vector function \( r(t) \) is given by the formula \( \frac{d}{dt}|r(t)| = \frac{1}{|r(t)|} r(t) \cdot r'(t) \). This result is derived using the chain rule and the relationship \( |r(t)|^2 = r(t) \cdot r(t) \). By differentiating both sides, we find that \( \frac{d}{dt}|r(t)| \) can be expressed in terms of the dot product of \( r(t) \) and its derivative \( r'(t) \). The calculations confirm that the formula holds true for vector functions in three-dimensional space.

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Why is \frac{d}{dt}\left | r(t) \right | =\frac{1}{\left | r(t) \right |} r(t)\cdot r'(t) ?
A hint is given to me, saying \left | r(t)^2 \right | = r(t)\cdot r(t) . I think it's something to do with differentiating both side of the equation given as 'hint', but I have no idea how to execute it.
Just a little bit of hint would be appreciated. Thank you
 
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V150 said:
Why is \frac{d}{dt}\left | r(t) \right | =\frac{1}{\left | r(t) \right |} r(t)\cdot r'(t) ?
A hint is given to me, saying \left | r(t)^2 \right | = r(t)\cdot r(t) . I think it's something to do with differentiating both side of the equation given as 'hint', but I have no idea how to execute it.
Just a little bit of hint would be appreciated. Thank you

$$\frac{d}{dt} \left (r(t) \cdot r(t)\right ) = \frac{d}{dt} |r(t)|^2 = 2|r(t)| \frac{d}{dt} |r(t)|
\\ \Rightarrow \frac{d}{dt} |r(t)| = \frac{1}{2|r(t)|} \frac{d}{dt} \left ( r(t) \cdot r(t) \right )= \frac{1}{2|r(t)|} \left ( r'(t) \cdot r(t) + r(t) \cdot r'(t) \right )= \frac{1}{2|r(t)|} 2r(t) \cdot r'(t) \\ \Rightarrow \frac{d}{dt} |r(t)|= \frac{1}{|r(t)|} r(t) \cdot r'(t)$$
 
V150 said:
Why is \frac{d}{dt}\left | r(t) \right | =\frac{1}{\left | r(t) \right |} r(t)\cdot r'(t) ?
A hint is given to me, saying \left | r(t)^2 \right | = r(t)\cdot r(t) . I think it's something to do with differentiating both side of the equation given as 'hint', but I have no idea how to execute it.
Just a little bit of hint would be appreciated. Thank you

Let $u = |r(t)|^2$. Then $|r(t)| = \sqrt{u}$; by the chain rule,

$$\frac{d}{dt}|r(t)| = \frac{1}{2\sqrt{u}} \frac{du}{dt}$$.

Again by the chain rule,

$$ \frac{du}{dt} = 2r(t) \cdot r'(t)$$.

In case you don't see this, let $x(t)$, $y(t)$, and $z(t)$ be the $x$-, $y$-, and $z$-components of $r(t)$, respectively (assuming $r(t)$ is a space vector for all $t$). Then $u = x^2 + y^2 + z^2$, and thus

$$\frac{du}{dt} = 2xx' + 2yy' + 2zz' = 2\langle x,y,z \rangle \cdot \langle x', y', z' \rangle = 2r \cdot r'.$$

Therefore

$$\frac{d}{dt}|r(t)| = \frac{1}{\cancel{2}|r(t)|} (\cancel{2}r(t)\cdot r'(t)) = \frac{1}{|r(t)|} r(t)\cdot r'(t).$$
 

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