Vector Calculus Homework: Solving Part (a) & (b)

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a vector calculus problem involving the computation of tangent vectors to a surface defined by a parameterization in terms of variables u and v. The original poster has completed part (a) of the homework and is seeking assistance with part (b).

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss methods for finding tangent vectors by taking partial derivatives with respect to the parameters u and v. There are questions about the calculations and results, particularly regarding the linear independence of the tangent vectors and the evaluation at specific points.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on how to compute the tangent vectors, while others are questioning the results obtained. There is an ongoing exploration of the implications of these tangent vectors for finding a normal vector to the surface.

Contextual Notes

There are indications of confusion regarding the calculations of the tangent vectors, particularly in relation to their components and the evaluation at the specified point. Participants are also considering the relationship between tangent and normal vectors in the context of the problem.

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Homework Statement



[PLAIN]http://img576.imageshack.us/img576/1710/vectorp.png

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



I've done part (a) but how do I do (b)?
 
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Well, do you know how to find a tangent vector to the surface G?
 
Char. Limit said:
Well, do you know how to find a tangent vector to the surface G?

No...
 
This site may help you. Since your equation is defined in two variables u and v, I would try taking the partial derivatives with respect to u and v, and you should get two tangent vectors. Then you should check to see if they are linearly independent.
 
Char. Limit said:
This site may help you. Since your equation is defined in two variables u and v, I would try taking the partial derivatives with respect to u and v, and you should get two tangent vectors. Then you should check to see if they are linearly independent.

Thanks that's really helpful.

Taking partial derivatives wrt u I get:

\mathbf{r} '(u,v) = sinh(u)cos(v) \mathbf{i} + sinh(u)sin(v) \mathbf{j} + cosh(u) \mathbf{k}

and \| \mathbf{r} '(u,v) \| = \sqrt{cosh(2u)}

and so a tangent vector to G is

\mathbf{T}(u,v) = \frac{sinh(u)cos(v) \mathbf{i} + sinh(u)sin(v) \mathbf{j} + cosh(u) \mathbf{k}}{\sqrt{cosh(2u)}}

So at \mathbf{r}_1 from part (a) we know u=sinh^{-1}(1) and v=\frac{\pi}{4} .

Hence \mathbf{T}(sinh^{-1}(1) , \frac{\pi}{4}) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{6} \mathbf{i} + \frac{1}{\sqrt{6} \mathbf{j} + \sqrt{\frac{2}{3}} \mathbf{k} is a tangent vector to G at \mathbf{r}_1 .

This time, taking partial derivates wrt v ,

\mathbf{r} '(u,v) = -cosh(u)sin(v) \mathbf{i} + cosh(u)cos(v) \mathbf{j}

and \| \mathbf{r} '(u,v) \| = \sqrt{cosh^2(u)}

Evaluating at \mathbf{r}_1 I get 0?
 
That's odd. I'm not sure you're doing it right, then... remember that:

1. \sqrt{cosh^2(u)} = cosh(u). This will simplify both of your calculations when finding the second unit tangent vector.

2. sin(pi/4) and cos(pi/4) are not zero.
 
Char. Limit said:
That's odd. I'm not sure you're doing it right, then... remember that:

1. \sqrt{cosh^2(u)} = cosh(u). This will simplify both of your calculations when finding the second unit tangent vector.

2. sin(pi/4) and cos(pi/4) are not zero.

For the first tangent vector:

\mathbf{T} (sinh^{-1}(1) , \frac{\pi}{4}) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{6} \mathbf{i} + \frac{1}{\sqrt{6} \mathbf{j} + \sqrt{\frac{2}{3}} \mathbf{k}} is a tangent vector to G at \mathbf{r}_1

For the 2nd:

\mathbf{T}(u , v) = \frac{\mathbf{r} '(u,v) = -cosh(u)sin(v) \mathbf{i} + cosh(u)cos(v) \mathbf{j}}{cosh(u)}

\mathbf{T}(sinh^{-1}(1) , \frac{\pi}{4}) = \frac{-1+1}{\sqrt{2}} = 0
 
What happened to the unit vectors i and j?
 
Char. Limit said:
What happened to the unit vectors i and j?

Sorry, ballsed up the latex.

For the first tangent vector:

\mathbf{T}(u,v) = \frac{sinh(u)cos(v) \mathbf{i} + sinh(u)sin(v) \mathbf{j} + cosh(u) \mathbf{k}}{\sqrt{cosh(2u)}}

\mathbf{T} (sinh^{-1} (1) , \frac{\pi}{4}) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{6}} \mathbf{i} + \frac{1}{\sqrt{6}} \mathbf{j} + \sqrt{\frac{2}{3}} \mathbf{k}} is a tangent vector to G at \mathbf{r}_1

For the 2nd:

\mathbf{T}(u , v) = \frac{\mathbf{r} '(u,v) = -cosh(u)sin(v) \mathbf{i} + cosh(u)cos(v) \mathbf{j}}{cosh(u)}

\mathbf{T}(sinh^{-1}(1) , \frac{\pi}{4}) = -\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} \mathbf{i} +\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}\mathbf{j}
 
  • #10
But that last line is just not true. -i+j does not equal 0.
 
  • #11
Char. Limit said:
But that last line is just not true. -i+j does not equal 0.

Yeah of course not.

So presumably if I now calculate a normal vector of G at \mathbf{r}_1 it will be a multiple of the vector \nabla g(\mathbf{r}_1) =(2,2-2)
 
  • #12
Presumably, yes. And the link I provided above also shows you how to find the normal vector.
 
  • #13
Char. Limit said:
Presumably, yes. And the link I provided above also shows you how to find the normal vector.

Trouble is if I try to find a normal vector from the 2nd tangent vector (by differentiating wrt v),

\mathbf{T}(u , v) = -sin(v) \mathbf{i} + cos(v) \mathbf{j}

Then the resulting normal vector \frac{\mathbf{T}'(u , v)}{\|\mathbf{T} '(u , v) \|} certainly isn't a multiple of (2,2,-2) as there's no k component!

However it works for the 1st one as \frac{\mathbf{T}'(u , v)}{\|\mathbf{T} '(u , v) \|} = \frac{1}{3 \sqrt{3}} \mathbf{i} + \frac{1}{3\sqrt{3}} \mathbf{j} - \frac{1}{3\sqrt{3}} \mathbf{k}
 
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