Help me find normal to this equ.

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In summary, the normal to an equation is a line that is perpendicular to the tangent line at a given point on the curve. To find the normal, you can first find the slope of the tangent line using the derivative, and then take the negative reciprocal of that slope to get the slope of the normal line. This can be useful in graphing the normal line as well as in real-life applications such as physics and engineering. The normal can exist at multiple points on the curve and can be graphed by plotting a point on the curve and using the point-slope formula.
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david90
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r(t) = <acos t , bsin t>
 
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  • #2
Now, how about you go back, read the question again and the give it exactly.

In the first place an equation doesn't have a normal, a curve does.

If you mean, "find the equation for the normal to the curve given by r(t) = <acos t , bsin t> for any t", then say so.

Heres' a major hint the vector <a, b> is always normal to the vector <-b, a>.
 
  • #3
In order to have a normal, you need to give us 1 set of coordinates.
 

1. How do I find the normal to this equation?

The normal to an equation is the line that is perpendicular to the tangent line at a given point on the curve. To find the normal, you can first find the slope of the tangent line using the derivative, and then take the negative reciprocal of that slope to get the slope of the normal line. From there, you can use the point-slope formula to find the equation of the normal line.

2. What does it mean for a line to be normal to an equation?

A line that is normal to an equation is a line that is perpendicular to the tangent line at a given point on the curve. This means that the normal line will intersect with the curve at a 90 degree angle, and its slope will be the negative reciprocal of the slope of the tangent line.

3. Can the normal to an equation exist at multiple points on the curve?

Yes, the normal can exist at multiple points on the curve. This is because the tangent line and normal line change as the curve changes, so there can be multiple points where the normal line is perpendicular to the tangent line.

4. How do I graph the normal to an equation?

To graph the normal to an equation, you can first graph the curve and then use the slope of the tangent line at a given point to find the slope of the normal line. Next, you can plot a point on the curve and use the point-slope formula to find the equation of the normal line. Finally, you can plot the normal line on the graph, making sure it intersects with the curve at a 90 degree angle.

5. Are there any real-life applications of finding the normal to an equation?

Yes, there are many real-life applications of finding the normal to an equation. For example, in physics, the normal force is the force that is perpendicular to an object's surface, and it is crucial in understanding the motion and stability of objects. In engineering, the normal to a curved surface is important in designing structures and machines. Overall, understanding how to find the normal to an equation can be useful in a variety of fields and applications.

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