Quadratic Surfaces: Substitute (a,b,c) into z=y^2-x^2

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the properties of a hyperbolic paraboloid defined by the equation z = y^2 - x^2. Participants are exploring the implications of a point (a, b, c) lying on this surface and examining parametric equations that describe lines intersecting the paraboloid.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss substituting the coordinates (a, b, c) into the paraboloid equation and the resulting implications for parametric lines. There are attempts to clarify the steps involved in showing that these lines lie entirely on the surface.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on clarifying steps and ensuring that the implications of the substitutions are clearly stated. There is ongoing exploration of the conditions under which the parametric equations satisfy the paraboloid equation, with multiple interpretations being considered.

Contextual Notes

There are questions about the completeness of the statements made regarding the proof and the assumptions underlying the substitutions. Participants are also noting potential errors in the expressions used and the need for clearer explanations of the steps taken.

Fernando Rios
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Homework Statement
Show that if the point (a,b,c) lies on the hyperbolic paraboloid z=y^2-x^2, then the lines with parametric equations x=a+t, y=b+t, z=c+2(b-a)t and x=a+t, y=b-t, z=c-2(b+a)t both lie enterily on this paraboloid.
Relevant Equations
z=y^2-x^2
x=a+t, y=b+t, z=c+2(b-a)t and x=a+t, y=b-t, z=c-2(b+a)t
Substitute (a,b,c) into z=y^2-x^2:
c=b^2-a^2

Substitute the parametric equations of L1 into the equation of the hyperbolic paraboloid in order to find points of intersection:
z=y^2-x^2
c+2(b-a)t=(b+t)^2-(a+t)^2=b^2-a^2+(b-a)t
c=b^2-a^2
 
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Fernando Rios said:
Homework Statement:: Show that if the point (a,b,c) lies on the hyperbolic paraboloid z=y^2-x^2, then the lines with parametric equations x=a+t, y=b+t, z=c+2(b-a)t and x=a+t, y=b-t, z=c-2(b+a)t both lie enterily on this paraboloid.
Relevant Equations:: z=y^2-x^2
x=a+t, y=b+t, z=c+2(b-a)t and x=a+t, y=b-t, z=c-2(b+a)t

Substitute (a,b,c) into z=y^2-x^2:
c=b^2-a^2

Substitute the parametric equations of L1 into the equation of the hyperbolic paraboloid in order to find points of intersection:
z=y^2-x^2
c+2(b-a)t=(b+t)^2-(a+t)^2=b^2-a^2+(b-a)t
c=b^2-a^2
Looks good, except that you should write it backward.

We need to show that all points ##\begin{bmatrix}
x\\y\\z \end{bmatrix}=\begin{bmatrix}a\\b\\c\end{bmatrix}+t\cdot \begin{bmatrix}
1\\ \pm 1\\ \pm 2b -2a\end{bmatrix}## obey the rule ##y^2-x^2=z.##
\begin{align*}
y^2-x^2&=(b\pm t)^2-(a+t)^2=b^2 \pm 2bt +t^2- a^2-2at-t^2\\
&=c + t(\pm 2b-2a)= c \pm 2(b\mp a)t=z
\end{align*}
Of course, you can handle both cases separately if you like that better.
 
I think it looks good except that you should state more clearly what some steps are doing.
Fernando Rios said:
Homework Statement:: Show that if the point (a,b,c) lies on the hyperbolic paraboloid z=y^2-x^2, then the lines with parametric equations x=a+t, y=b+t, z=c+2(b-a)t and x=a+t, y=b-t, z=c-2(b+a)t both lie enterily on this paraboloid.
Relevant Equations:: z=y^2-x^2
x=a+t, y=b+t, z=c+2(b-a)t and x=a+t, y=b-t, z=c-2(b+a)t

Substitute (a,b,c) into z=y^2-x^2:
c=b^2-a^2
What are you proving here? That for ##t=0, x_0, y_0, z_0## are on the hyperbolic paraboloid? If so, you should say that. Or are you just stating what it means to say that (a,b,c) is on the hyperbolic paraboloid?
You should say something like: Since (a,b,c) is on the hyperbolic parabola, ##c=b^2-a^2##.
Fernando Rios said:
Substitute the parametric equations of L1 into the equation of the hyperbolic paraboloid in order to find points of intersection:
z=y^2-x^2
c+2(b-a)t=(b+t)^2-(a+t)^2=b^2-a^2+(b-a)t
Shouldn't this be ##b^2-a^2+2(b-a)t##?
Fernando Rios said:
c=b^2-a^2
You should state what this shows. (That x, y, z, satisfy the equation of the hyperbolic paraboloid for any value of t.)
 
Last edited:
fresh_42 said:
Looks good, except that you should write it backward.

We need to show that all points ##\begin{bmatrix}
x\\y\\z \end{bmatrix}=\begin{bmatrix}a\\b\\c\end{bmatrix}+t\cdot \begin{bmatrix}
1\\ \pm 1\\ \pm 2b -2a\end{bmatrix}## obey the rule ##y^2-x^2=z.##
\begin{align*}
y^2-x^2&=(b\pm t)^2-(a+t)^2=b^2 \pm 2bt +t^2- a^2-2at-t^2\\
&=c + t(\pm 2b-2a)= c \pm 2(b\mp a)t=z
\end{align*}
Of course, you can handle both cases separately if you like that better.
Thank you for your answer.
 
FactChecker said:
I think it looks good except that you should state more clearly what some steps are doing.

What are you proving here? That for ##t=0, x_0, y_0, z_0## are on the hyperbolic paraboloid? If so, you should say that. Or are you just stating what it means to say that (a,b,c) is on the hyperbolic paraboloid?
You should say something like: Since (a,b,c) is on the hyperbolic parabola, ##c=b^2-a^2##.

Shouldn't this be ##b^2-a^2+2(b-a)t##?

You should state what this shows. (That x, y, z, satisfy the equation of the hyperbolic paraboloid for any value of t.)
Thank you for your response.
 
Alternative method:
Let f(x,y,z) = y^2 - x^2 - z. Then r(t) = (A_x,A_y,A_z)t + (a, b, c) lies entirely on the paraboloid if and only if f(r(t)) = 0. We know this is the case when t = 0 (because we are given that (a,b,c) is on the surface), so we need <br /> \begin{split}<br /> 0 &amp;= \frac{df}{dt} \\ &amp;= \frac{dr}{dt} \cdot (-2x(t), 2y(t), -1) \\<br /> &amp;= (A_x,A_y,A_z) \cdot (-2(A_xt + a), 2(A_yt + b), -1) \\<br /> &amp;= 2(A_y^2 - A_x^2)t + 2(bA_y - aA_x) - A_z <br /> \end{split} for all t. This requires A_y^2 - A_x^2 = 0 and hence <br /> (A_x,A_y,A_z) = A_x(1, \pm 1, 2(\pm b - a)). Setting A_x = 1 gives the parametrizations specified in the question.
 

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