Module-1

DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS

Polar coordinates, polar curves, angle between the radius vector and the tangent, angle
between two curves. Pedal equations. Curvature and Radius of curvature - Cartesian,
Parametric, Polar and Pedal forms. Problems.

Polar Coordinates and polar curves:

Let O be the origin, OX be the positive X– axis and

P(x, y) be any point on the curve C. Join OP. Take

̂ P = θ. Then (r, θ) is called the polar
OP = r and XO

coordinates of the point P(x, y) and is denoted

by P(r, θ). The curve C is called the polar curve

and r = f(θ) or f(r, θ) = c is the equation of

initial line, OP is called the radius vector and θ is

called the polar angle.

Relations between polar and cartesian coordinates:

y
If x = rcosθ, y = rsinθ, then r = √x 2 + y 2 and θ = tan−1 (x).

𝐀𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐮𝐬 𝐯𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭:

Let P(r, θ) be a point on a polar curve r = f(θ)

and PL is the tangent to the curve at P meeting

the x − axis at the point L. Let ψ be the angle

between the tangent PL and the positive x– axis

OX and φ be the angle between the radius

vector OP and the tangent PL. ∴ ψ = θ + φ

∴ Slope of the tangent PL is

dy tan θ+ tan φ
= tanψ = tan(θ + φ) = 1−tan θ tan φ ……(1)
dx

If (x, y) are the Cartesian coordinates of the point P, then we have

1
x = r cos θ , y = r sin θ. Differentiating w. r. t. θ, we get
dx dr dy dr
= dθ cos θ − rsin θ : = dθ sin θ + r cos θ
dθ dθ

dy dr
dy dθ dθ sin θ + r cos θ
∴ = =
dx dx dr
dθ dθ cos θ − rsin θ
dr
Dividing both numerator and denominator on RHS by cos θ
dθ
dθ
dy tan θ+r
dr
We get = dθ ………. (2)
dx 1−r( ) tan θ
dr
dθ
comparing (1)and (2) we get tan φ = r.
dr
1 1 dr 1 dr
Equivalently it is of the form = or cot φ = .
tan φ r dθ r dθ

𝐋𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭:

Consider a polar curve r = f(θ) and a point

P(r, θ) on it. Draw ON = p, perpendicular

from the pole to the tangent at P and

let φ be the angle made by the radius vector

with the tangent. From the figure,
̂ P = 90° and XO
ON ̂ P = θ.
From the right angled triangle ONP,
ON p
sin φ = ∴ sin φ = ∴ p = rsin φ ……. (1)
OP r

Squaring on both sides we get p2 = r 2 sin2 φ

Taking Reciprocal we get,

1 1 cosec2 φ 1+cot2 φ
= r2 sin2 φ = =
p2 r2 r2

1 1 1 1 dr 2 1 1 dr
∴ = r2 [1 + cot 2 φ] = r2 [1 + r2 (dθ) ] , Using = r dθ
p2 tan φ

1 1 1 dr 2
∴ = r2 + r4 (dθ) .
p2

𝐀𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐰𝐨 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐬:

2
Let P be the point of intersection of two polar curves r = f(θ) and r = g(θ). If φ1 is the

angle between the radius vector and the tangent to the curve r = f(θ) and φ2 is the angle

between the radius vector and the tangent to the

curve r = g(θ), then the angle between two

curves r = f(θ) and r = g(θ) is given

dθ
by |φ2 − φ1 |, where tan φ1 = r dr for r = f(θ)

dθ
and tanφ2 = r dr for r = g(θ).

If α is angle between two curves

r = f(θ) and r = g(θ), then α = |φ2 − φ1 |

2 tanφ −tan φ1
∴ tan α = tan|φ2 − φ1 | = |1+tanφ |.
2 tan φ1

NOTE:
𝛑
𝐓𝐰𝐨 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐢𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝒊𝐟 |𝛗𝟐 − 𝛗𝟏 | = 𝟐 𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝛗𝟏 𝐭𝐚𝐧𝛗𝟐 = −𝟏.

Problems:

1. 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠

𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐫 = 𝐚(𝟏 − 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝛉) 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫 = 𝟐𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝛉

𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
Given r = a(1 − cos θ) and r = 2a cos θ. Taking logarithm on both sides we get,

log r = log a + log(1 − cos θ) : log r = log 2a + log(cos θ)

Differentiating w. r. t. θ, we get,
1 dr sin θ 1 dr − sin θ
= 1−cos θ : =
r dθ r dθ cos θ

θ θ
2 sin( )cos( )
2 2
ie. , cot φ1 = θ : cot φ2 = −tanθ
2 sin2 ( )
2

θ π
ie. , cot φ1 = cot ( 2) : cot φ2 = cot ( 2 + θ)

θ π
∴ φ1 = 2 : φ2 = 2 + θ

θ π π θ
∴ |φ1 − φ2 | = |2 − 2 − θ| = 2 + 2 … . (1)

3
Now consider r = a(1 − cos θ) and r = 2a cos θ

∴ a(1 − cos θ) = 2a cos θ

1 θ 1 1
3 cos θ = 1 or θ = cos −1 ( ) or = . cos −1 ( ). Substitute in (1).
3 2 2 3

π 1 1
Thus the angle of intersection = 2 + 2 . cos −1 (3)

𝟐. 𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒃𝒆𝒕𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒄𝒖𝒓𝒗𝒆𝒔

𝒂
𝒓 = 𝒂 𝒍𝒐𝒈 𝜽 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒓=
𝒍𝒐𝒈 𝜽

𝑺𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏:
a
Given r = a log θ and r=
log θ
. Taking logarithm on both sides we get,

𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑟 = 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑎 + 𝑙𝑜𝑔(𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝜃) : 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑟 = 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑎 − 𝑙𝑜𝑔(𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝜃)

𝐷𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑤. 𝑟. 𝑡. 𝜃, 𝑤𝑒 𝑔𝑒𝑡,
1 𝑑𝑟 1 1 𝑑𝑟 1
𝑟 𝑑𝜃
= 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝜃 . 𝜃
: 𝑟 𝑑𝜃
= − 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝜃 . 𝜃

1 1
𝑐𝑜𝑡 𝜑1 = 𝜃 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝜃 : 𝑐𝑜𝑡 𝜑2 = − 𝜃 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝜃

∴ 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝜑1 = 𝜃 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝜃 : 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝜑2 = −𝜃 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝜃

𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝜑 −𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝜑2 𝜃 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝜃+𝜃 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝜃 2𝜃 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝜃
∴ 𝑡𝑎𝑛(𝜑1 − 𝜑2 ) = 1+𝑡𝑎𝑛1𝜑 = 1−(𝜃 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝜃)2
=1−(𝜃 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝜃)2 … . (1)
1 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝜑2

𝑎 𝑎
𝑁𝑜𝑤 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑟 𝑟 = 𝑎 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝜃 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑟 = ∴ 𝑎 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝜃 =
𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝜃 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝜃

∴ (𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝜃 )2 = 1 𝑜𝑟 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝜃 = 1 ∴ 𝜃 = 𝑒. 𝑆𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑖𝑛 (1) 𝑤𝑒 𝑔𝑒𝑡 ,

2𝑒
𝑡𝑎𝑛(𝜑1 − 𝜑2 ) = 1−𝑒 2 (𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑒 = 1)

2𝑒
𝑇ℎ𝑢𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 𝜑1 − 𝜑2 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 (1−𝑒 2 ) = 2 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 𝑒.

𝟑. 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐫 𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐬(𝐧𝛉) = 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫 𝐧 𝐬𝐢𝐧(𝐧𝛉) = 𝐛𝐧 are orthogonal.

𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:

Given r n cos(nθ) = an and r n sin(nθ) = bn . Taking logarithm on both sides we get,

nlog r + log(cos nθ) = n log a : nlog r + log(sin nθ) = n log b

Differentiating w. r. t. θ, we get,
n dr n sin nθ n dr n cos nθ
− =0 : + =0
r dθ cos nθ r dθ sin nθ

4
 1 dr 1 dr
∴ = tan nθ : = − cot nθ
r dθ r dθ

∴ cot φ1 = tan nθ : cot φ2 = −cot nθ

∴ tan φ1 = cot nθ : tan φ2 = −tan nθ

∴ tan φ1 . tan φ2 = cot nθ.(−tan nθ)= −1.

Thus the curves intersect each other orthogonally.

4. 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝑟 =a (1 + cos 𝜃) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑟 = b(1 – cos 𝜃) intersect at right angles.

𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:

Given r = a(1 + cos θ) and r = b(1 − cos θ)

Taking logarithm on both sides we get

log r = log a + log(1 + cos θ) ∶ log r = log b + log(1 − cos θ)

Differentiating w. r. t. θ, we get,
1 dr − sin θ 1 dr sin θ
= 0 + 1+cos θ ∶ = 0 + 1−cos θ
r dθ r dθ

θ θ θ θ
−2 sin( )cos( ) 2 sin( )cos( )
2 2 2 2
∴ cot φ1 = θ ∶ cot φ2 = θ
2 cos2 ( ) 2 sin2 ( )
2 2

θ θ
cot φ1 = −tan ( ) ∶ cot φ2 = cot ( )
2 2
θ θ
tan φ1 = −cot ( ) ∶ tan φ2 = tan ( )
2 2
θ θ
∴ tan φ1 . tan φ2 = −cot (2). tan (2)= −1.

Thus the curves intersect each other orthogonally.

5. 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐫 𝐧 = 𝐚𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐬(𝐧𝛉) 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫 𝐧 = 𝐛𝐧 𝐬𝐢𝐧(𝐧𝛉) 𝐜𝐮𝐭 𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫

𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲.

Solution:

Given r n = an cos(nθ) and r n = bn sin(nθ). Taking logarithm on both sides we get,

nlog r = n log a + log(cos nθ) ∶ nlog r = n log b + log(sin nθ)

Differentiating w. r. t. θ, we get,
n dr n sin nθ n dr n cos nθ
=− ∶ =
r dθ cos nθ r dθ sin nθ

5
1 dr 1 dr
= − tan nθ ∶ = cot nθ
r dθ r dθ
π
cot φ1 = cot ( + nθ) ∶ cot φ2 = cot(nθ)
2
π
φ1 = + nθ ∶ φ2 = nθ
2
π π
∴ |φ1 − φ2 | = | + nθ − nθ| =
2 2
Thus the curves intersect each other orthogonally.

HOME WORK

1. 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐫 = 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝛉 + 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝛉 𝐚𝐧𝐝

𝐫 = 𝟐 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝛉
𝐚 𝐛
2. 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐫 = 𝟏+𝐜𝐨𝐬𝛉 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫 = 𝟏−𝐜𝐨𝐬𝛉

3. Find the angle of intersection between the curves 𝐫 𝟐 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝛉 = 𝐚𝟐 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫 𝟐 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝟐𝛉 = 𝐛𝟐 .
4. Show that the curves intersect each other orthogonally 𝐫 = 𝐚(𝟏 + 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝛉) and

𝐫 = 𝐚(𝟏 − 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝛉).

5. 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐫 = 𝟒 𝐬𝐞𝐜 𝟐 (𝛉/ 𝟐) and

𝐫 = 𝟗 𝐜𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐜 𝟐 (𝛉/ 𝟐)

𝐏𝐞𝐝𝐚𝐥 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐬:

If p is the length of the perpendicular from the pole O on the tangent to the polar curve

r = f(𝜃) at a point P(r, 𝜃), then the relation in terms of p and r obtained by eliminating 𝜃
1 1 1 𝑑𝑟 2
from r = f(𝜃) using 𝑝 = 𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜑 or = 𝑟 2 + 𝑟 4 (𝑑𝜃 ) is called the pedal equation or p – r
𝑝2
equation.

Problems:

1. 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐝𝐚𝐥 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞 r =a(𝟏 + 𝐜𝐨𝐬𝛉).

Solution:

Given r = a(1 + cos θ). Taking logarithm on both sides we get

log r = log a + log(1 + cos θ). Differentiating w. r. t. θ, we get,

6
 θ θ
1 dr − sin θ −2 sin( )cos( )
2 2
= 0 + 1+cos θ ∴ cot φ = θ
r dθ 2 cos2 ( )
2

θ π θ π θ
∴ cot φ = −tan ( 2) = cot ( 2 + 2) ∴ φ= 2+2

π θ θ
We have p = r sinφ ∴ p = rsin ( 2 + 2) = r cos ( 2)

θ 𝑝
∴ cos ( 2) = 𝑟 … (1)

θ p2
Now given, r = a(1 + cos θ) ∴ r = 2a cos 2 ( 2) ∴ r = 2a ( r2 ) , using (1).

∴ r 3 = 2ap2 . This is the required pedal equation.

2. 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐝𝐚𝐥 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐫 𝟐 = 𝐚𝟐 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝟐 𝛉

Solution:

Given r 2 = a2 sin2 θ……(1) Taking logarithm on both sides we get

2 log r = 2 log a + log sin2 θ. Differentiating w. r. t. θ, we get,

2 dr 1 1 dr cos θ
= 0 + sin2 θ 2. sin θ . cos θ ∴ = ∴ cot φ = cot θ ∴ φ = θ
r dθ r dθ sin θ

p2
We have p = r sinφ ∴ p = r sinθ ∴ p2 = r 2 sin2 θ ∴ sin2 θ = r2

p2
substituting in (1) we get, r 2 = a2 r2 ∴ r 4 = a2 p2 is the required pedal equation.

3. 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐝𝐚𝐥 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐫 𝐦 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝐦𝛉 = 𝐚𝐦

Solution:

Given r m cos mθ = am ……(1) Taking logarithm on both sides we get

mlog r + log(cos mθ) = m log a. Differentiating w. r. t. θ, we get,

m dr m sin mθ 1 dr
− =0 ∴ = tan mθ ∴ cot φ = tan mθ
r dθ cos mθ r dθ

π π
∴ cot φ = cot ( 2 − mθ) ∴ φ = 2 − mθ.

π am
We have p = r sinφ ∴ p = r sin ( − mθ) = r cos mθ = r ( )
2 rm

am
substituting in (1) we get, p = rm−1 . This is the requred pedal equation.
𝒍
4. 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐝𝐚𝐥 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞 = 𝟏 + 𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝜽
𝒓

Solution:

7
 𝑙
Given 𝑟 = 1 + e cos θ. Taking logarithm on both sides we get,

𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑙 − log r = log(1 + e cosθ). Differentiating w. r. t. θ, we get,

1 dr −e sinθ dr re sinθ
− r dθ = 1+ecosθ ∴ = 1+ecosθ
dθ

1 1 1 dr 2 1 1 1 e2 sin2 θ
we have = r2 + r4 (dθ) ∴ = r2 + r2 (1+ecosθ)2 … (1)
p2 p2

𝑙 𝑙
Also given = 1 + e cos θ ∴ − 1 = e cos θ … . (2)
𝑟 𝑟

𝑙 2
Also e2 sin2 θ = e2 (1 − cos 2 θ ) = e2 − e2 cos 2 θ = e2 − (𝑟 − 1) , Using (2)

𝑙 2
1 1 𝑒 2 −( −1) 1 1 𝑙 2
∴ = 𝑟 2 {1 + 𝑙2⁄
𝑟
} = 𝑟 2 + 𝑙2 {𝑒 2 − (𝑟 − 1) }
𝑝2
𝑟2

1 1 1 2 2𝑙 1 𝑒2 1 2 1
∴ = 𝑟 2 + 𝑙2 {𝑒 2 − 𝑙 ⁄𝑟 2 + − 1} = 𝑟 2 + 𝑙2 − 𝑟 2 + 𝑙𝑟 − 𝑙2
𝑝2 𝑟

1 e2 −1 2
Thus = + 𝑙r is the pedal equation.
p2 𝑙2

𝟓. 𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐝𝐚𝐥 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐫 𝐧 = 𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝐧𝛉 + 𝐛𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝐧𝛉

𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 form of 𝐩𝟐 (𝐚𝟐𝐧 + 𝐛𝟐𝐧 ) = 𝐫 𝟐𝐧+𝟐

𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:

Given r n = an sin nθ + bn cos nθ Taking logarithm on both sides we get,

n log r = log(an sin nθ + bn cos nθ) Differentiating w. r. t. θ, we get,

𝑛 𝑑𝑟 𝑛 𝑎𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑛𝜃 − 𝑛𝑏𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑛𝜃 𝑎𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑛𝜃 − 𝑏𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑛𝜃
= ∴ 𝑐𝑜𝑡 𝜑 = 𝑛
𝑟 𝑑𝜃 𝑎𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑛𝜃 + 𝑏𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑛𝜃 𝑎 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑛𝜃 + 𝑏𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑛𝜃
We have, p = r sinφ By squaring and taking reciprocal we get,
1 1 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑐 2 𝜑 1
= 𝑟 2𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜑 = = 𝑟 2(1 + 𝑐𝑜𝑡 2 𝜑)
𝑝2 𝑟2

1 1 (𝑎𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑛𝜃 − 𝑏𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑛𝜃)2

∴ 2 = 2 {1 + 𝑛 }
𝑝 𝑟 (𝑎 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑛𝜃 + 𝑏𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑛𝜃)2

1 1 (𝑎𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑛𝜃 + 𝑏𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑛𝜃)2 + (𝑎𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑛𝜃 − 𝑏𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑛𝜃)2

∴ = { }
𝑝2 𝑟 2 (𝑎𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑛𝜃 + 𝑏𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑛𝜃)2

1 a2n sin2 nθ + b2n cos 2 nθ + 2an bn sin nθ cos nθ + a2n cos 2 nθ + b2n sin2 nθ − 2an bn sin nθ cos nθ
= { }
r2 (an sin nθ + b n cos nθ)2

8
 1 1 a2n (sin2 nθ + cos 2 nθ) + b2n (sin2 nθ + cos 2 nθ)
∴ = { }
p2 r 2 (an sin nθ + b n cos nθ)2

1 1 a2n + b2n
∴ 2= 2 .
p r (an sin nθ + b n cos nθ)2
1 1 a2n +b2n
∴ = r2 . , using r n = an sin nθ + bn cos nθ
p2 (rn )2

1 a2n + b2n
∴ 2=
p r 2n+2

Thus p2 (a2n + b2n ) = r 2n+2 is the pedal euqation.

HOME WORK:
𝟐𝒂
1. Find the pedal equation of = 𝟏 + 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜽.
𝒓

2. Find the pedal equation to the curve 𝒓𝒎 = 𝒂𝒎 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝒎𝜽

3. 𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒆𝒅𝒂𝒍 𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒖𝒓𝒗𝒆 𝒓𝒎 = 𝒂𝒎 (𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝒎𝜽 + 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝒎𝜽)

4. 𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒆𝒅𝒂𝒍 𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒖𝒓𝒗𝒆 𝒓𝒏 = 𝒂𝒏 𝐬𝐞𝐜 𝒉(𝒏𝜽)

5. 𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒆𝒅𝒂𝒍 𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒖𝒓𝒗𝒆 𝒓(𝟏 − 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜽) = 𝟐𝒂

6. 𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒆𝒅𝒂𝒍 𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒖𝒓𝒗𝒆 𝒓𝟐 = 𝒂𝟐 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝟐𝜽

DERIVATIVE OF ARC LENGTH:

Definition of an arc:

An arc is a part or portion of a curve C and length of an arc of a curve is denoted by s.

Derivative of arc length in cartesian form:

The derivative of an arc length s of a cartesian curve 𝒚 = 𝒇(𝒙) with respect to x and y is given
𝒅𝒔 𝒅𝒚 𝟐 𝒅𝒔 𝒅𝒙 𝟐
by = √𝟏 + (𝒅𝒙) and = √𝟏 + (𝒅𝒚)
𝒅𝒙 𝒅𝒚

Derivative of arc length in parametric form:

The derivative of an arc length s of a parametric curve 𝒙 = 𝒙(𝒕), 𝒚 = 𝒚(𝒕) with respect to t
𝒅𝒔 𝒅𝒙 𝟐 𝒅𝒚 𝟐
is given by = √( 𝒅𝒕 ) + ( 𝒅𝒕 )
𝒅𝒕

Derivative of arc length in polar form:

9
The derivative of an arc length s of a polar curve 𝒓 = 𝒇(𝜽) with respect to r and 𝜽 is given by
𝒅𝒔 𝒅𝜽 𝟐 𝒅𝒔 𝒅𝒓 𝟐
= √𝟏 + 𝒓𝟐 ( 𝒅𝒓 ) and = √𝒓𝟐 + (𝒅𝜽)
𝒅𝒓 𝒅𝜽

dθ dr
Also sin ∅ = r ds and cos ∅ = ds .

CURVATURE AND RADIUS OF CURVATURE:

Definition of Curvature:

The rate of bending of the curve C at any point P on C is

called the curvature of the curve and it is denoted by

dΨ 𝑙𝑖𝑚 δΨ
κ(kappa). Thus κ = . i.e., κ = Q→P , where s is the
ds δs

arc length and Ψ is the angle between the tangent to the

curve C at a point P and the positive x-axis.

Definition of Radius of Curvature:

The reciprocal of the curvature of a curve at any point P is

called the radius of curvature, which is denoted by ρ(rho).
1 ds ds
Thus ρ = κ = dΨ . Where κ ≠ 0. Always we take ρ = |dΨ| (positive sign only).

DERIVATION OF RADIUS OF CURVATURE IN CARTESIAN FORM:

Consider a cartesian curve y=f(x) in the xy - plane. Let A be a fixed point on this curve and

P(x , y) be any point on the curve. Let s be the length of the arc AP and Ψ be the angle

made by the tangent to the curve at P with X-axis. Then

the slope of the tangent is given by

dy
= tan Ψ i. e. , y1 = tan Ψ ∴ Ψ = tan−1 y1
dx

dΨ y
Now differentiating w. r. t. x, we get = 1+y2 2 .
dx 1

dx 1+y1 2 ds dy 2
∴ = . Also we have = √1 + (dx ) =
dΨ y2 dx
(1 + y1 2 )1⁄2

10
 ⁄ 1 ⁄ 3
ds ds dx (1+y1 2) 2 .(1+y1 2 ) (1+y1 2 ) 2
∴ ρ = dΨ = dx × dΨ = ∴ ρ= .
y2 y2

Problems:

1. Find 𝛒 at (𝐚, 𝟐𝐚) of the parabola 𝐲 𝟐 = 𝟒𝐚𝐱.

Solution:

Given y 2 = 4ax. Differentiating the given equation w. r. t. x, we get,

2a
2yy1 = 4a ∴ yy1 = 2a ∴ y1 = ⋯ (1 )
y

2a
∴ y1 ( a, 2a ) = 2a = 1. Differentiating the equation (1) w. r. t. x we get,
−2a −2a −1
y2 = y1 ∴ y2 ( a, 2a ) = (2a)2 =
y2 2a

⁄ 3 3
(1+y1 2 ) 2 (1+1) ⁄2 3⁄
Thus ρ = = 1 = (2) 2 (−2a) = 4√2a (Take positive sign )
y2 (− )
2a

𝟑𝐚 𝟑𝐚
2. Find radius of curvature at the point ( 𝟐 , ) for the curve 𝐱 𝟑 + 𝐲 𝟑 = 𝟑𝐚𝐱𝐲.
𝟐

Solution:

Given x 3 + y 3 = 3axy

Differentiating the given equation w. r. t. x, we get, 3x 2 + 3y 2 y1 = 3a(xy1 + y)

3y 2 y1 - 3axy1 = 3ay - 3x 2 ∴ 3y1 (y 2 - ax)= 3(ay - x 2 )

3a 3a 2 3a2 9a2 3a2
ay−x2 3a 3a a( )−( ) − −
2 2 2 4 4
∴ y1 = y2 −ax ⋯ (1) ∴ y1 ( 2 , )= 3a 2 3a
= 9a2 3a2
= 3a2
= −1
2 ( ) −a( ) −
2 2 4 2 4

Differentiating the equation (1) w. r. t. x we get,

3a2 3a2
(y2 −ax)(ay1 −2x)−(ay−x2 )(2yy1 −a) ( )(−4a)−(− )(−4a) −3a3 −3a3 −6a3 (16)
4 4
y2 = = 2 = 9a4
=
(y2 −ax)2 3a2 9a4
( ) 16
4

3a 3a 32
∴ y2 ( 2 , ) = − 3a
2

⁄ 3 ⁄ 3 3
(1+y1 2 ) 2 (1+(−1)2 ) 2 (2) ⁄2 (3a) 3√2a
Thus ρ = = 32 = = (Take positive sign )
y2 (− ) 32 16
3a

Note:

11
 𝐝𝐲 𝐝𝐲 𝐝𝐱
If is not defined at a point p i.e., (𝐝𝐱 ) = ∞, then we take (𝐝𝐲) = 𝟎 and use the
𝐝𝐱 𝐚𝐭 𝐩 𝐚𝐭 𝐩
⁄ 𝟑
(𝟏+𝐱𝟏 𝟐 ) 𝟐 𝟏 𝐝𝐱 𝐝𝟐 𝐱
formula 𝛒 = where 𝐱 𝟏 = 𝐲 = 𝐝𝐲 and 𝐱 𝟐 = 𝐝𝐲𝟐
𝐱𝟐 𝟏

3. Show that radius of curvature at the point (𝐚, 𝟎) for the curve
𝐚𝟐 (𝐚−𝐱) 𝐚
𝐲𝟐 = is .
𝐱 𝟐

Solution:
a3
Given equation is y 2 = − a2 Differentiating w. r. t. x we get,
x

a3 a3
2yy1 = − x2 ∴ y1 = − 2x2 y … . … . (1)

1 dx
∴ y1 (a , 0) = ∞ ∴ x1 (a , 0) = 0. Where x1 = =
y1 dy

⁄ 3
(1+x1 2) 2 d2 x
Hence, we use the formula ρ = ……. (2) where x2 = dy2 .
x2

1 −2x2 y
From (1), we get x1 = y = Differentiating w. r. t. y we get,
1 a3

−2 −2 2
x2 = (x 2 + y. 2x x1 ) ∴ x2 (a, 0) = (a2 ) = −
a3 a3 a

⁄ 3
(1+02 ) 2 a
Thus (2) becomes ρ = 2 =2 (Take positive sign )
(− )
a

𝟐⁄
𝐚𝐱 𝟐𝛒 𝟑 𝐱 𝟐 𝐲 𝟐
4. For the curve 𝐲 = 𝐚+𝐱 , show that ( 𝐚 ) = ( 𝐲) + ( 𝐱 )

Solution:
ax
Given y = a+x

(a+x)a−ax(1) a2
Differentiating the given equation w. r. t. x we get, y1 = (a+x) 2
= (a+x)2

(−2) −2a2 ax
and y2 = a2 (a+x)3 = (a+x)3
. But from the given equation (a + x) = y

a2 y2 −2a2 −2y3
∴ y1 = ax 2
= and y2 = ax 3
=
( ) x2 ( ) ax3
y y

3⁄
2 2 3⁄ 3⁄
3 y2 y4 2 y4 2
2 ) ⁄2 (1+( 2 ) ) ax3 (1+ 4 ) x3 (1+ 4 )
(1+y1 x x 2ρ x
Thus ρ = = −2y3
= ∴ =
y2 −2y3 a −y3
ax3

12
 2
Rising powers on both sides by we get,
3

2⁄ 2⁄
2ρ 3 x2 y4 x2 y2 2ρ 3 x 2 y 2
(a) = (1 + x4 ) = + ∴ (a) = (y) + (x)
y2 y2 x2

HOMEWORK:

1. Find 𝛒 at (𝐚𝐭 𝟐 , 𝟐𝐚𝐭) of the parabola 𝐲 𝟐 = 𝟒𝐚𝐱.

𝟑 𝟑 𝟑
2. Show that the radius of curvature of the curve 𝐱 𝟑 + 𝐲 𝟑 = 𝟑𝐱𝐲 at (𝟐 , ) is − 𝟖√𝟐.
𝟐

𝟒𝐚𝟐 (𝟐𝐚−𝐱)
3. Find the radius of curvature for the curve 𝐲 𝟐 = where the curve meets
𝐱

the x-axis.

4. Find 𝛒 at (a, 0) of the curve 𝐱𝐲 𝟐 = 𝐚𝟑 − 𝐱 𝟑

𝐚 𝐚 𝐚
5. Show that 𝛒 = at (𝟒 , ) on the curve √𝐱 + √𝐲 = √𝐚
√𝟐 𝟒

DERIVATION OF RADIUS OF CURVATURE IN PARAMETRIC FORM:

The equation of the curve C in parametric form is given by x = x(t) and y = y(t)
dy
dy dt ẏ dx dy d2 x d2 y
∴ y1 = dx = dx = ẋ where ẋ = dt , ẏ = dt , ẍ = and ÿ =
dt2 dt2
dt

dy1 dy1 dt d ẏ 1 ẋ ÿ −ẏ ẍ 1 ẋ ÿ −ẏ ẍ

Also y2 = = × dx = dt (ẋ ) × ẋ = (ẋ )2
× ẋ = (ẋ )3
dx dt

⁄3
(1+y1 2 ) 2
For a Cartesian curve y=f(x) we have, ρ = y2

3⁄
ẏ 2 2
3⁄ ⁄ 3
[1+( ) ] (ẋ )2+(ẏ )2 2 (ẋ )3 {(ẋ )2 +(ẏ )2} 2 (ẋ )3
ẋ
∴ ρ= ẋ ÿ −ẏ ẍ ={ (ẋ )2
} ×{ }= (ẋ )3
×{ }
ẋ ÿ −ẏ ẍ ẋ ÿ −ẏ ẍ
(ẋ )3

3⁄
{(ẋ )2 + (ẏ )2 } 2
∴ ρ=
ẋ ÿ − ẏ ẍ

Problems:

1. Show that the radius of curvature of the circle is constant.

13
Solution:

Parametric equation of a circle x 2 + y 2 =a2 is given by x = a cos θ, y = a sin θ

Differentiating the given equations w. r. t. θ we get,

dx d2 x
ẋ = dθ = −a sin θ, ẍ = dθ2 = −a cos θ,

dy d2 y
ẏ = dθ = a cos θ, ÿ = dθ2 = −a sin θ,

⁄ 3 ⁄ 3 3
⁄
{(ẋ )2+(ẏ )2 } 2 {(−a sin θ )2+(a cos θ)2} 2 {a2 (cos2 θ+sin2 θ)} 2
∴ ρ= = (−a sin θ).(−a sin θ, )−a cos θ(−a cos θ) =
ẋ ÿ −ẏ ẍ a2 (sin2 θ+cos2 θ)

a3
∴ ρ = a2 = a, constant. ∴ the radius of curvature of the circle is constant.

2. Show that radius of curvature at any point on the cycloid

𝛉
𝐱 = 𝐚(𝛉 + 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝛉), 𝐲 = 𝐚(𝟏 − 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝛉) is 4a. 𝐜𝐨𝐬 (𝟐) .

Solution:

Given x = a(θ + sin θ), y = a(1 − cos θ)

Differentiating the given equations w. r. t. θ we get,

dx d2 x
ẋ = dθ = a(1 + cos θ), ẍ = dθ2 = −a sin θ,

dy d2 y
ẏ = = a sin θ, ÿ = 2 = a cos θ
dθ dθ
⁄ 3 ⁄ 3 3
⁄
{(ẋ )2+(ẏ )2 } 2 {a2 (1+cos θ)2+a2 sin2 θ} 2 {a2 (1+cos2 θ+2 cos θ+sin2 θ)} 2
∴ ρ= = a(1+cos θ).a cos θ−a sin θ(−a sin θ) = .
ẋ ÿ −ẏ ẍ a2 (cos θ+cos2 θ+sin2 θ)

⁄ 3 1⁄
{2a2 (1+cos θ)} 2 3 1⁄ 3 θ 2
∴ ρ= = (√2) a(1 + cos θ) 2 = (√2) a (2cos 2 2) .
a2 (1+cos θ)

θ
∴ ρ = 4a. cos ( 2).

𝛑 𝟐⁄ 𝟐⁄ 𝟐⁄
3. Find 𝛒 at 𝛉 = 𝟒 for the curve 𝐱 𝟑 +𝐲 𝟑 =𝐚 𝟑.

where 𝐱 = 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝟑 𝛉 , 𝐲 = 𝐚 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝟑 𝛉.

Solution:

Given x = a cos 3 θ , y = a sin3 θ

Differentiating the given parametric equations w. r. t. θ we get,

14
 dx dy
ẋ = dθ = −3acos 2 θ sin θ, ẏ = dθ = 3asin2 θ cos θ. Here we shall use

⁄ 3 dy
(1+y1 2 ) 2 dy dθ ẏ 3asin2 θ cos θ
ρ= ......... (1), where y1 = dx = dx = ẋ = −3acos2 θ sin θ = − tan θ
y2
dθ

dy1 dθ 1 −sec2 θ sec4 θ.cosec θ

Now y2 = = −sec 2 θ. dx = −sec 2 θ. = −3acos2 θ sin θ =
dx ẋ 3a

⁄ 3
(1+tan2 θ) 2 3a.sec3 θ
Thus ρ = sec4 θ.cosec θ
= sec4 θ.cosec θ = 3a sin θ cos θ
( )
3a

π π π 1 1 3a
At θ = 4 , ρ = 3a sin 4 cos 4 = 3a × √2 × √2 = 2

4. Find 𝛒 of the curve 𝐱 = 𝐚[𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝐭 + 𝐥𝐨𝐠{𝐭𝐚𝐧(𝐭⁄𝟐)}], 𝐲 = 𝐚 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝐭

Solution:

Given x = a[cos t + log{tan(t⁄2)}], y = a sin t

Differentiating the given parametric equations w. r. t. t we get,

dx 1 1 1
ẋ = = a [− sin t + tan(t⁄ ) . sec 2 (t⁄2). 2] = a [− sin t + 2 cos(t⁄ ) sin(t⁄ )]
dt 2 2 2

1 −sin2 t+1 cos2 t

∴ ẋ = a [− sin t + sin t] = a [ ] = a[ ] = acos 2 t. cosec t and
sin t sin t

dy dy ẏ a cos t sin t
ẏ = = a cos t ∴ y1 = dx = ẋ = acos2 t.cosec t = cos t = tan t
dt

dy1 dt 1 sec2 t sec4 t.sin t

∴ y2 = = sec 2 t. dx = sec 2 t. = acos2 t.cosec t =
dx ẋ a

⁄ 3 ⁄ 3
(1+y1 2) 2 (1+(tan t)2) 2 asec3 t a cos t
∴ ρ= = sec4 t.sin t
= sec4 t.sin t = = a cot t
y2 ( ) sin t
a

HOMEWORK:

1. Find 𝛒 for the curve 𝐱 = 𝐚 𝐥𝐨𝐠(𝐬𝐞𝐜 𝐭 + 𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐭) , 𝐲 = 𝐚 𝐬𝐞𝐜 𝐭.

2. Find 𝛒 of 𝐱 = 𝐚(𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝐭 + 𝐭 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝐭) , 𝐲 = 𝐚(𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝐭 − 𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝐭).

3. Find 𝛒 at any point on the curve 𝐱 = 𝐚(𝛉 − 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝛉) , 𝐲 = 𝐚(𝟏 − 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝛉).

4. Find the radius of curvature of the astroid 𝒙 = 𝒂 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝟑 𝛉 , 𝐲 = 𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐧𝟑 𝛉 𝐚𝐭 𝛉 = 𝛑⁄𝟒.

5. Find the radius of curvature of the curves 𝐱 = 𝐚(𝐭 − 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝐭) , 𝐲 = 𝐚(𝟏 − 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝐭).

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DERIVATION OF RADIUS OF CURVATURE IN POLAR FORM:

Consider a polar curve r=f(θ). Let A be a fixed point on it

and P(r, θ) be any point on it. Now join OP. Draw a

tangent at P. Let s be the length of arc AP, ∅ be the angle

made by the radius vector OP with the tangent and ψ be

the angle made by the tangent with the initial line OX. We

have 𝜓 = 𝜽 + ∅, differentiating this

w. r. t. 𝒔 we get ,
dψ dθ d∅ dθ d∅ dθ dθ d∅
= + ds = + dθ . ds = (1 + dθ) ⋯ (1)
ds ds ds ds

dθ 1 r dr r
We have, tan ∅ = r dr = r. dr = r where r1 = dθ ∴ ∅ = tan−1 (r )
( ) 1 1
dθ

Differentiating w. r. t. θ we get,
d∅ 1 r1r1−rr2 1 r12−rr2 r1 2−rr2 dr1 d2 r
= r 2
×( 2 )= r1 2+r2
×( 2 )= 2 +r2 ⋯ (2) where r2 = = dθ2
dθ 1+( ) r1 r1 r1 dθ
r1 r1 2

ds dr 2 dθ 1
Also we have, = √r 2 + (dθ) = √r 2 + (r1 )2 ∴ = 1 ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ (3)
dθ ds (r2+r12 ) ⁄2

Now substituting equations (2) and (3) in (1) we get,

dψ 1 (r12 −rr2) 1 r12 +r2+r1 2 −rr2 r2+2r12 −rr2
= 1 . {1 + 2 +r2
}= 1 .{ 2 +r2
}= 3
ds (r2+r12 ) ⁄2 r1 (r2+r1 2) ⁄2 r1 (r2+r12 ) ⁄2

3
ds (r 2 + r1 2 ) ⁄2
Thus ρ= =
dψ r 2 + 2r1 2 − rr2

DERIVATION OF RADIUS OF CURVATURE IN PEDAL FORM:

Consider a polar curve r = f(θ). Let P(r, θ) be any point on the curve. Now join OP. Draw a

tangent at P. Let ∅ be the angle made by the radius

vector OP with the tangent and ψ be

the angle made by the tangent with the initial line OX.
Draw ON=p perpendicular to the

tangent at P from the pole O. From right angled

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 ON p
triangle ∆ONP we have, sin ∅ = =
OP r

∴ p = rsin∅. Differentiating w. r. t. r we get,

dp d∅ dr d∅ dθ
= r cos ∅. dr + sin ∅ = r ds . dr + r ds ,
dr

dθ dr
using sin ∅ = r ds and cos ∅ = ds

dp d∅ dθ d∅ dθ d dψ
∴ dr = r ds + r ds = r ( ds + ds ) = r ds (∅ + θ) = r ds ,

using ψ = ∅ + θ.
dp 1 ds dr
∴ = ρ , using ρ = dψ . Thus ρ = r dp .
dr

Problems:
𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝐫𝟐
1. Show that for the ellipse in the pedal form 𝐩𝟐 = 𝐚𝟐 + 𝐛𝟐 − 𝐚𝟐 𝐛𝟐 the radius of

𝐚𝟐 𝐛𝟐
curvature at the point (𝐩, 𝐫) is 𝛒 = .
𝐩𝟑

Solution:
1 1 1 r2
Given = a2 + b2 − a2 b2
p2

Differentiating the given equation w. r. t. r we get,

2 dp 2r 2 dp 2r dp rp3 dr a2 b2
− p3 dr = 0 + 0 − a2 b2 ∴ p3 dr = a2 b2 ∴ = a2 b2 ∴ =
dr dp rp3

dr a2 b2 a2 b2
We have ρ = r dp ∴ ρ = r ( rp3 ) = p3

2. Show that 𝛒 at any point of the cardiod 𝐫 = 𝐚(𝟏 − 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝛉) varies as √𝐫 .

Solution:

Given r = a(1 − cos θ)

Differentiating the given equation w. r. t. θ we get,

dr dr1
r1 = dθ = a sin θ and r2 = = a cos θ
dθ

⁄ 3 ⁄ 3
(r2+r1 2) 2 (a2 (1−cos θ)2+a2 sin2 θ) 2
∴ ρ = r2 +2r 2−rr = a2 (1−cos θ)2+2a2 sin2 θ−a(1−cos θ)a cos θ
1 2

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 ⁄ 3 3 3 3
a3 (1+cos2 θ−2 cos θ+sin2 θ) 2 a3 (2−2 cos θ) ⁄2 a (2)2 (1−cos θ) ⁄2
∴ ρ = a2 (1+cos2 θ−2 cos θ+2sin2 θ−cos θ+cos2 θ) = a2 (1+2−3 cos θ) = 3(1−cos θ)

1⁄
3 1 r 2
√2 a(1−cos θ) ⁄2 2√2a( )
a r
∴ ρ= = , using the given equation (1 − cos θ)=
3 3 a

2√2a
∴ ρ = . √r = constant. √r . ∴ ρ α √r ∴ ρ varies as √r.
3

3. Find the radius of curvature at the point (𝐫, 𝛉) for 𝐫 𝐧 = 𝐚𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝐧𝛉

and show that 𝛒 varies inversely as 𝐫 𝐧−𝟏 .

Solution:

Given r n = an . cos nθ. Taking logarithm on both sides we get,

n log r = n log a + log cos nθ. Differentiating w. r. t. θ we get,

n dr n sin nθ 1 dr π
=− ∴ = − tan nθ ∴ cot φ = cot ( 2 + nθ)
r dθ cos nθ r dθ
π
∴ φ = 2 + nθ

π p
p = r sinφ ∴ p = r sin ( 2 + nθ) ∴ p = r cosnθ ∴ cosnθ = r ….. (1)
p
Given r n = an . cos nθ ∴ r n = an , using (1)
r

rn+1
∴ The pedal equation of the given equation is p= an

dp 1 dr an
Differentiating w. r. t. r we get, = (n + 1)r n ∴ dp= (n+1)rn
dr an

dr an an 1 1
We have ρ = r dp ∴ ρ = r (n+1)rn ∴ ρ = (n+1) rn−1 ∴ ρ = (constant) rn−1

1
∴ρ α ∴ ρ varies inversely as r n−1
rn−1

4. Show that 𝛒 at (r, θ) on the curve 𝐫 𝟐 = 𝐚𝟐 𝐬𝐞𝐜 𝟐𝛉 is proportional to 𝐫 𝟑 .

Solution:

Given r 2 = a2 sec 2θ ……. (1) Taking logarithm on both sides we get

2 log r = 2 log a + log sec 2θ. Differentiating w. r. t. θ we get,

2 dr 2 sec 2θ tan 2θ 1 dr π
= ∴ = tan 2θ ∴ cot φ = cot ( 2 − 2θ).
r dθ sec 2θ r dθ
π
∴ φ = 2 − 2θ

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 π p
p = r sinφ ∴ p = r sin ( 2 − 2θ) ∴ p = r cos2θ ∴ cos2θ = .
r

r r 1
∴ sec2θ = Substitute in (1) ∴ r 2 = a2 p ∴ r = a2 p
p

1
∴ The pedal equation of the given equation is ∴ p = a2 r

dp 1 dr −r2
Differentiating w. r. t. r we get, = a2 (− r2 ) ∴ =
dr dp a2

dr −r2 −1
We have ρ = r . ∴ ρ = r( ) ∴ ρ = ( 2 ) r3 ∴ ρ = (constant) r 3 .
dp a2 a

∴ ρ α r3 ∴ ρ is proportional to r 3 .

HOMEWORK:

1. Show that the curve 𝐫 𝐧 = 𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝐧𝛉 varies inversely as 𝐫 𝐧−𝟏

𝛒𝟐
2. For the cardioid 𝐫 = 𝐚(𝟏 + 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝛉) , show that is constant
𝐫

𝐚𝟐
3. Show that for the curve 𝐩𝐚𝟐 = 𝐫 𝟑 the radius of curvature 𝛒 = .
𝟑𝐫

4. Show that the curve 𝐫(𝟏 − 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝛉) = 𝟐𝐚, 𝝆𝟐 varies as 𝒓𝟑 .

5. Show that for the curve 𝐩𝟐 = 𝐚𝐫, 𝝆𝟐 varies as 𝒓𝟑 .

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