Calculus 8th Edition

Published by Cengage
ISBN 10: 1285740629
ISBN 13: 978-1-28574-062-1

Chapter 10 - Parametric Equations and Polar Coordinates - 10.2 Calculus with Parametric Curves - 10.2 Exercises - Page 695: 17

Answer

$(0,-3)$ is the point of a horizontal tangent. $(-2,-2)$ and $(2,-2)$ are points of vertical tangents.

Work Step by Step

\[x=t^3-3t\;\;,\;\;y=t^2-3\] Differentiate $x$ with respect to $t$ \[\frac{dx}{dt}=3t^2-3\] Differentiate $y$ with respect to $t$ \[\frac{dy}{dt}=2t\] \[\frac{dy}{dx}=\frac{\displaystyle\frac{dy}{dt}}{\displaystyle\frac{dx}{dt}}=\frac{2t}{3t^2-3}\] The curve will have horizontal tangent if $\displaystyle\frac{dy}{dx}=0$, i.e., $\displaystyle\frac{dy}{dt}=0$ but $\displaystyle\frac{dx}{dt}\neq 0$ \[\frac{dy}{dt}=0\Rightarrow 2t=0\Rightarrow t=0\] \[\Rightarrow x=0^3-3(0)=0\;\;,\;\;y=0^2-3=-3\] $(0,-3)$ is point of horizontal tangent. For vertical tangent if $\displaystyle\frac{dx}{dt}=0$ but $\displaystyle\frac{dy}{dt}\neq 0$ \[\frac{dx}{dt}=0\Rightarrow 3t^2-3=0\Rightarrow t=\pm 1\] If $t=1 \Rightarrow x=1^3-3=-2\;,\; y=1^2-3=-2$ If $t=-1\Rightarrow x=(-1)^3-3(-1)=2\;,\;y=(-1)^2-3=-2$ So $(-2,-2)$ and $(2,-2)$ are points of vertical tangents.
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