Curve of intersection of a plane and curve

In summary, the conversation is about finding the slope or direction vector of the tangent line at a given point on the curve of intersection between a surface and a plane. The conversation also includes a discussion on how to solve a related problem involving two different equations for z.
  • #1
Yitin
8
0

Homework Statement


I have to find the slope of the tangent line at (-1,1,5) to the curve of intersection of the surface z = x2 + 4y2 and the plane x = -1

2. The attempt at a solution
I really am having trouble figuring out where to start. The question is even numbered, and the only one like it in the chapter, so I have been having trouble figuring out what to do.
I tried googling it different ways, the explanation of a problem that is kinda like this one told me to take the gradient
2xi + 8yj - k
and then plug in (-1,1,5) and that would be the normal n1
And I was supposed to do the cross of n1 and the normal of the plane, and then some more stuff but their problem was different, and I am not really sure where to go from here, or if this is even right...
 
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  • #2
Yitin said:

Homework Statement


I have to find the slope of the tangent line at (-1,1,5) to the curve of intersection of the surface z = x2 + 4y2 and the plane x = -1

2. The attempt at a solution
I really am having trouble figuring out where to start. The question is even numbered, and the only one like it in the chapter, so I have been having trouble figuring out what to do.
I tried googling it different ways, the explanation of a problem that is kinda like this one told me to take the gradient
2xi + 8yj - k
and then plug in (-1,1,5) and that would be the normal n1
And I was supposed to do the cross of n1 and the normal of the plane, and then some more stuff but their problem was different, and I am not really sure where to go from here, or if this is even right...

You wouldn't usually use the term "slope" for the tangent to a 3D curve. You would ask for a direction vector. If you plug in ##x=-1## you get ##z=1+4y^2##. With these you can parameterize the curve ##\vec R = \langle -1,y,1+4y^2\rangle##. Now it should be easy to find the direction vector for the tangent to the curve.
 
  • #3
Thank you, that helped greatly, though I am still not the best at getting that curve.

A later problem has z=√(x2 + 4y2) and 3z = x + 2y + 8
I was trying to make the two Zs equal to each other, and solve for x or y, but I couldn't get any of them separate.
Same thing, finding the tangent line at a point (3,2,5)
 
  • #4
Yitin said:
Thank you, that helped greatly, though I am still not the best at getting that curve.

A later problem has z=√(x2 + 4y2) and 3z = x + 2y + 8
I was trying to make the two Zs equal to each other, and solve for x or y, but I couldn't get any of them separate.
Same thing, finding the tangent line at a point (3,2,5)

Forum policy is that you start a new thread if you have a new problem. You are more likely to get an answer.
 

FAQ: Curve of intersection of a plane and curve

What is the curve of intersection of a plane and curve?

The curve of intersection is the set of points where a plane and a curve intersect in three-dimensional space. It is the line formed by the intersection of the two surfaces.

How is the curve of intersection calculated?

The curve of intersection can be calculated by finding the points of intersection between the plane and the curve. This can be done by setting the equations of the plane and the curve equal to each other and solving for the variables.

What does the curve of intersection represent?

The curve of intersection represents the points where the plane and the curve share the same coordinates. It is the intersection of two different mathematical objects and can have different shapes and characteristics depending on the specific plane and curve.

Can the curve of intersection exist in higher dimensions?

Yes, the concept of a curve of intersection can be extended to higher dimensions. In four-dimensional space, it would be the intersection of two three-dimensional surfaces, and in n-dimensional space, it would be the intersection of two (n-1)-dimensional surfaces.

What are some real-life applications of the curve of intersection?

The curve of intersection has various applications in fields such as engineering, physics, and computer graphics. For example, it can be used to calculate the path of a projectile in projectile motion, determine the intersection of a road and a hill in civil engineering, or create 3D models in computer-aided design.

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