Showing that some curve is a circle

In summary, the problem is to show that when a unit-speed curve's normals all pass through a given point, its trace is part of a circle. The solution so far involves using a point where all the normals pass and a real-valued function to show that |s(t)| is constant. The conversation also suggests assuming a starting point and initial velocity, which leads to a simple solution to the problem.
  • #1
Werg22
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I'm trying out some exercises in differential geoemtry and came across this one:

If [tex]\gamma(t)[/tex] is unit-speed, and that all its normals pass through a given point, show that the trace of [tex]\gamma(t)[/tex] is part of a circle.

My solution so far:

Let a be a point where all the normals pass, then we know that [tex]\gamma(t) - a = s(t) N(t) \ \forall t[/tex], where s(t) is a real-valued function.

But where should I take it from there? All I know is that ultimately I want to show that |s(t)| is constant for all t.
 
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  • #2
You might as well assume that you start at (1,0) with initial velocity (0,1), and that all your normals pass through zero. You get a system of ODEs with a very simple solution :)
 

FAQ: Showing that some curve is a circle

What is a circle?

A circle is a two-dimensional shape that is defined by a set of points that are all equidistant from a central point, called the center. It has a round and symmetrical shape, with no corners or edges.

How can you show that a curve is a circle?

To show that a curve is a circle, you can use the equation of a circle: (x - h)^2 + (y - k)^2 = r^2, where (h, k) is the center of the circle and r is the radius. If the curve satisfies this equation, it is a circle.

What are the properties of a circle?

A circle has several properties, including:

  • It has a constant radius, which is the distance from the center to any point on the circle.
  • The diameter of a circle is twice the length of the radius.
  • The circumference of a circle is the distance around the circle.
  • All radii of a circle are equal in length.

How can you prove that a curve is a circle?

To prove that a curve is a circle, you can use the Pythagorean theorem. If the distance between any two points on the curve is equal to the radius, then the curve is a circle. You can also use calculus to show that the curve has a constant curvature, which is a defining characteristic of a circle.

Can any curve be a circle?

No, not all curves can be a circle. A curve must have a constant curvature and satisfy the equation of a circle to be considered a circle. Some curves, like ellipses or hyperbolas, have a varying curvature and therefore cannot be considered a circle.

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