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The Moving Trihedral
The Moving Trihedral
The Moving Trihedral
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Let C be a smooth curve defined by a vector function R (t).
Notes:
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(a) N points towards the concave side of
the curve.
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(b) N is always perpendicular to T .
Exercises: Do as indicated.
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1. Let R be a vector function such that T (t) = cos 2t, , sin 2t and R (0) = h1, 0, −1i.
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Find:
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(a) the unit tangent, unit normal, and unit binormal vectors to the graph of R at t = 0.
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(b) an equation of the osculating, rectifying, and normal planes to the graph of R at t = 0.
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2. Given R (π) = h1, 4, 3i, T (π) = h−1, −1, 0i, and B (π) = − , , . Find:
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(a) the unit tangent vector T at t = π.
(b) the equation of the rectifying plane at t = π.
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3. Let the smooth curve C be the graph of the vector function R such that R (0) = h3, 1, 2i,
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R (0) = h2, 2, 1i, and R 00 (0) = h1, 1, −1i. At the point on C corresponding to t = 0, give the
following: