Parametric Equations of Tangent Line

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on finding the parametric equations of the tangent line to the surface defined by the equation z = 2x² + 5y² + 2 at the point P(2, 1, 15). The correct parametric equations are established as x = 2, y = t + 1, and z = 10t + 15. The slope of the tangent line is confirmed to be 10, derived from the partial derivative dz/dy = 10y evaluated at y = 1. The confusion regarding the appearance of z on both sides of the equation is clarified as a typographical error.

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njo
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Homework Statement


z = 2x^2 + 5y^2 +2
C is cut by the plane x = 2
Find parametric eqns of the line tangent to C @ P(2, 1, 15)

Homework Equations


z = 5y^2 + 10
dz/dx = 10y
dz/dx (1) = 10

The Attempt at a Solution


z = 10y + 15
y = t + 1

if the slope is 10/1 then delta z = 10 and delta y = 1. Therefore those values are multiples in front of t for the z and y parametric eqns respectively. Is this correct?

Thanks in advance.
 
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njo said:

Homework Statement


z = 2x^2 + 5y^2 +z
Why does z appear on both sides? Is the equation actually w = 2x^2 + 5y^2 + z? Or is the last z a typo?
njo said:
C is cut by the plane x = 2
Find parametric eqns of the line tangent to C @ P(2, 1, 15)

Homework Equations


z = 5y^2 + 10
dz/dx = 10y
dz/dx (1) = 10

The Attempt at a Solution


z = 10y + 15
y = t + 1

if the slope is 10/1 then delta z = 10 and delta y = 1. Therefore those values are multiples in front of t for the z and y parametric eqns respectively. Is this correct?

Thanks in advance.
 
z = 2x^2 + 5y^2 +2

That's the equation. Typo.
 
njo said:
z = 5y^2 + 10
dz/dx = 10y
That would be dz/dy, not dz/dx.

The tangent line is a line in ##\mathbb{R}^3##. Parametric equations would be of the form x = f(t), y = g(t), z = h(t). Since the tangent line is in the plane z = 2, x will be just 2.
 
dz/dy = 10y

z = 10y + 15
y = t + 1
x = 2

Is this correct?
 
njo said:
dz/dy = 10y

z = 10y + 15
y = t + 1
x = 2

Is this correct?
The equations for y and z should be in terms of a parameter. Typically, t is used.
 
Oops, I know better than that.

z = 10t + 15
y = t + 1
x = 2
 
njo said:
Oops, I know better than that.

z = 10t + 15
y = t + 1
x = 2
That's not what I get. The trace of the surface ##z = 2x^2 + 5y^2 + 2## in the plane x = 2 is ##z = 5y^2 + 10##, a parabola. The slope of the tangent line to this parabola at the point (2, 1, 15) is 10, which you have, but I get a different equation for the tangent line. Use the point-slope form of the equation of the line, with m = 10, and the point (1, 15) -- (y, z) coordinates.
 
You want to find the tangent line as the intersection of plane ## P_1 |\ x = 2 ## and plane ## P_2 |\ a x + by + cz + d = 0 ##,
where ## (a,b,c) = \text{grad }F(2,1,15) ##, ##F(x,y,z) = 2x^2 + 5y^2 -z + 2 ##, and ##d## determined by the fact that ##(2,1,15)## belongs to ##P_2##. In cartesian coordinates, I get that the tangent line is ## 10y - z + 5 = 0 ##.
 
  • #10
So I find the gradient of w = 2x^2 + 5y^2 - z + 2 which would be <4x, 10y, -1>. I substitute P into the gradient? and that's how I get the coefficient in front of the parameter?
 
  • #11
geoffrey159 said:
I get that the tangent line is ## 10y - z + 5 = 0 ##.
That's what I get as well.
 
  • #12
The tangent line is z = 10y+5 therefore the parametric equations of this line are:
y = t +1
z = 10t + 15
 

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