Tutorial-2

Mathematics-1 (MATH F111)

Q.1 Solve the initial value problem for the
Differential equation:
d2 r
= et i − e−t j + 4e2t k
dt2
Initial conditions:
r(0) = 3i + j + 2k and
dr 
= −i + 4j
dt t=0


Q.2 A particle traveling in a straight line is located at the point (1, −1, 2) and has speed 2 at time t = 0.
The particle moves toward the point (3, 0, 3) with constant acceleration 2i + j + k. Find its position vector
r(t) at time t.

Q.3 Find the arc length parameter along the curve from the point where t = 0 by evaluating the integral
Z t
s= |v(τ )| dτ.
0

Then, find the lenght of the indicated portion of the curve

r(t) = (et cos t)i + (et sin t)j + et k, −ln4 ≤ t ≤ 0

Q.4 To illustrate that the lenght of a smooth space curve does not depend on the parametrization you use
to compute it, calculate the length of one turn of the helix r(t) = (cos t)i + (sin t)j + tk, 0 ≤ t ≤ 2π, with
the following parametrizations.
a. r(t) = (cos 4t)i + (sin 4t)j + 4tk, 0 ≤ t ≤ π2
b. r(t) = cos 2t i + sin 2t j + 2t k, 0 ≤ t ≤ 4π

 


c. r(t) = (cos t)i − (sin t)j − tk, −2π ≤ t ≤ 0.

Q.5 Show that the curvature of a smooth curve r(t) = f (t)i + g(t)j defined by twice differentiable functions
x = f (t) and y = g(t) is given by the formula

|ẋÿ − ẏẍ|
κ= 3 .
(ẋ2 + ẏ 2 ) 2

The dots in the formula denote differentiation with respect to t, one derivative for each dot.

Q.6 Show that the parabola y = ax2 , a ̸= 0, has its largest curvature at its vertex and has no minimum
curvature. (Note: Since the curvature of a curve remains the same if the curve is translated or rotated, this
result is true for any parabola.)

π


Q.7 Find an equation for the circle of curvature of the curve r(t) = ti + (sin t)j at the point 2,1 . (The
curve parametrizes the graph of y = sin x in the xy-plane.)