Are the Intersections of These 3D Curves Ellipses?

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In summary, the first conversation discusses sketching two curves, $\displaystyle \begin{align*} z = x^2 + y^2 \end{align*}$ and $\displaystyle \begin{align*} z = 2x^2 + 3y^2 - 1 \end{align*}$, and determining if their intersection is an ellipse and if the projection onto the x-y plane is also an ellipse. The second conversation discusses sketching two other curves, $\displaystyle \begin{align*} r_1[t] = (t\cos[2\pi t], t\sin[2\pi t], t^2) \end{align*}$ and $\displaystyle
  • #1
carl123
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QUESTION 1

Sketch the curves :

z = x2 + y2 and z = 2x2 + 3y2 - 1

a) Is the intersection an ellipse?

b) Is the projection of the intersection onto the x-y plane an ellipse?

QUESTION 2

Sketch the curves:

r1[t] = (t cos [2 pi t], t sin [2 pi t] , t2 ) and r2[t] = (t cos [6 pi t], t sin [6 pi t], t2 ] over the intervals from 0 to 2.

a) There is a quadratic surface that both curves lie on, what sort of surface is it? Give the name?

b) What is an equation for the surface?
 
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  • #2
carl123 said:
QUESTION 1

Sketch the curves :

z = x2 + y2 and z = 2x2 + 3y2 - 1

a) Is the intersection an ellipse?

b) Is the projection of the intersection onto the x-y plane an ellipse?

QUESTION 2

Sketch the curves:

r1[t] = (t cos [2 pi t], t sin [2 pi t] , t2 ) and r2[t] = (t cos [6 pi t], t sin [6 pi t], t2 ] over the intervals from 0 to 2.

a) There is a quadratic surface that both curves lie on, what sort of surface is it? Give the name?

b) What is an equation for the surface?

Have you tried anything?

To sketch $\displaystyle \begin{align*} z = x^2 + y^2 \end{align*}$, think about every cross section parallel to the x-y plane. First of all, for obvious reasons, $\displaystyle \begin{align*} z \geq 0 \end{align*}$. Also obviously no matter what z value you pick, you are going to have something of the form $\displaystyle \begin{align*} x^2 + y^2 = r^2 \end{align*}$ (r a constant), therefore each cross section must be a circle. But since as you move up the z axis, you are increasing z, that means r is increasing as well. So each cross section is a circle, getting bigger in radius as you move up the z axis. That seems like a paraboloid to me...

z '=' x'^'2 '+' y'^'2 - Wolfram|Alpha

What do you think the second surface would look like and be classified as?

As for finding their intersection, well you already have both of them as z in terms of x and y, so you can set them equal to each other...
 
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FAQ: Are the Intersections of These 3D Curves Ellipses?

What is 3 dimensional calculus?

3 dimensional calculus is a branch of mathematics that deals with calculating and analyzing functions and equations in three-dimensional space. It combines concepts from both calculus and geometry to solve problems involving three variables.

What are some real-world applications of 3 dimensional calculus?

3 dimensional calculus is commonly used in fields such as physics, engineering, and computer graphics. It is used to model and analyze complex systems and phenomena that exist in three-dimensional space, such as fluid flow, electric fields, and 3D motion.

How is 3 dimensional calculus different from traditional calculus?

Traditional calculus deals with functions and equations in two-dimensional space, while 3 dimensional calculus adds an extra dimension to the analysis. This means that there are additional concepts and techniques, such as partial derivatives and multiple integrals, that are needed to solve problems in 3D.

What are some common challenges in solving 3 dimensional calculus problems?

Some common challenges in 3 dimensional calculus include visualizing and understanding three-dimensional space, keeping track of multiple variables and their relationships, and applying the appropriate techniques and formulas to solve the problem accurately.

How can I improve my skills in 3 dimensional calculus?

The best way to improve your skills in 3 dimensional calculus is through practice and repetition. It is important to understand the fundamental concepts and techniques, and then apply them to a variety of problems. Additionally, seeking help from a tutor or attending study groups can also be beneficial.

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