Need help showing important tangent plane property:

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on demonstrating that the tangent planes along the surface defined by the curve X(t,v) = α(t) + vα'(t) are equal for constant v. The user initially calculated the normal vector N using the formula N = X_t ∧ X_v / |X_t ∧ X_v|, leading to N = ±|α(t)|^4 b(t), where b(t) is the binormal vector. The user aimed to show that the derivative of N with respect to t, denoted as dN/dt, equals zero along the curve, indicating that the tangent planes remain unchanged as t varies. The correct formulation of the tangent plane equation was clarified as T_{t_0,v_0}(S) = N|_{t_0,v_0} ⋅ ((x,y,z) - X(t_0,v_0)).

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of differential geometry concepts, specifically tangent surfaces.
  • Familiarity with vector calculus operations, including the cross product (∧).
  • Knowledge of binormal vectors and their role in curve analysis.
  • Proficiency in parameterization of curves, particularly using arc-length.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of tangent surfaces in differential geometry.
  • Learn about the relationship between normal vectors and tangent planes in vector calculus.
  • Explore the implications of parameterizing curves by arc-length in geometric contexts.
  • Investigate the behavior of binormal vectors in relation to curvature and torsion of curves.
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in mathematics, particularly those studying differential geometry, vector calculus, and curve analysis. This discussion is beneficial for anyone seeking to understand the properties of tangent planes in relation to differentiable curves.

ozone
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Homework Statement



Consider the tangent surface of some regular differentiable curve given as X(t,v) = \alpha(t) + v \alpha'(t). Show that the tangent planes along X(t,constant) are equal.

Homework Equations



N = \frac{X_{t} \wedge X_{v}}{|X_{t} \wedge X_{v}|}

The general tangent plane equation, T_{t_0}(S) = N|_{t_0, v_0} \cdot( (t - t_0) - (v-v_0)) = 0

The Attempt at a Solution



Using the equation above I solved for N = \hat{v} b(s) where b(s) is the binormal to the curve.

However I wasn't sure if this was correct since it does not seem like I am close to answering the problem. I wanted to reach the conclusion that \frac{dN}{dt} = 0 along this curve, but this seemed to be untrue. Another idea was to show that the tangent plane equation is the same for all initial points t_0 but this too seemed incorrect.

I am really stuck at this point and would love it if anyone could point me in the right direction
 
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Edit: I realized v is just a constant so what we really should have is something like N = \pm b(t). Also I forgot to mention I had a factor of |\alpha(t)|^4 so that N = \pm |\alpha(t)|^4 b(t) but I assumed that the curve is parameterized by arc-length so that I could ignore this term.. I'm not sure that it should make any difference by including it.

Also I should note that I wrote the tangent plane equation down very wrong, it should be given by

T_{t_0,v_0}(S) = N|_{t_0,v_0} \cdot ((x,y,z) - X(t_0,v_0))

Which would simplify to

T_{t_0,v_0}(S) = \pm |\alpha(t_0)|^4 (b(t_0) \cdot (x,y,z) - b(t_0) \cdot \alpha(t_0) )

Which we would then want to show is not changing as t_0 varies
 
Last edited:

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