Created by T.

Madas

INTRINSIC
COORDINATES

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 1 (**)
A curve C has Cartesian equation

y = arctan 2 x , x ∈
.

Find the magnitude of the radius of curvature at the point on C where x = 1 .

2

Question 2 (**)
A curve C has Cartesian equation

y = cosh x , x ∈
.

Find an intrinsic equation of C in the form s = f (ψ ) , where s is measured from the

point with coordinates ( 0,1) , and ψ is the angle the tangent to C makes with the
positive x axis.

s = tanψ

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 3 (**)
A curve C has Cartesian equation

y = cosh x , x ∈
.

Find a simplified expression, in terms of x , for the radius of curvature at a general

point on C .

ρ = cosh 2 x

Question 4 (**)
A curve C has Cartesian equation

π
y = ln ( sec x ) , 0 ≤ x < .
2

Find an intrinsic equation of C in the form s = f (ψ ) , where s is measured from the

point with coordinates ( 0,0 ) , and ψ is the angle the tangent to C makes with the
positive x axis.

s = ln tanψ + secψ

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 5 (**)
A curve C has intrinsic equation

s = a cosψ , ψ ∈ [ 0, π ] ,

where s denotes the arc length measured from some fixed point and ψ is the angle
the tangent to C makes with the positive x axis.

Show that the tangent to C at the point where s = 0 is parallel to the y axis and
determine the radius of curvature at that point.

ρ =a

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 6 (**)
A curve C has intrinsic equation

 π π
s = 2sinψ , ψ ∈  − ,  ,
 2 2

where s denotes the arc length measured from some fixed point and ψ is the angle
the tangent to C makes with the positive x axis.

Show clearly that

ρ = 4 − s2 ,

where ρ is the radius of curvature at a general point on C .

proof

Question 7 (**)
A curve C has Cartesian equation

y = arsinh x , x ∈
.

Find the magnitude of the radius of curvature at the point on C where x = 2 .

4 2

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 8 (**)
A curve C has Cartesian equation

y = arcsin x , −1 ≤ x ≤ 1 .

Find an expression, in terms of x , for the radius of curvature on C , giving the answer
as a single simplified fraction.

ρ=
( 2 − x2 ) 2

Question 9 (**)
A curve C has Cartesian equation

π
y = arctan x 2 , 0 ≤ y < .
2

Calculate the radius of curvature at the point on C where x = −1 .

−2 2

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 10 (**+)
A curve C has parametric equation s

x = cosh t − t , y = cosh t + t , t ∈
.

Find the exact value of the radius of curvature at the point on C where t = ln 2 .

ρ = 25 2
16

Question 11 (**+)
A curve C has Cartesian equation

y = a cosh ax , where a is a constant.

( )
Show that the radius of curvature on C , is given by 1
ay
2

proof

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 12 (**+)
A curve C has Cartesian equation

3
y = 1 ( x − 1) 2 , x ∈
, x ≥ 1 .
2

Find an intrinsic equation of C in the form s = f (ψ ) , where s is measured from the

point with coordinates (1,0 ) , and ψ is the angle the tangent to C makes with the
positive x axis.

(
s = 2 sec3ψ − 1
3 )

Question 13 (**+)
The radius of curvature at a general point on a curve C is given by

esinψ cosψ ,

where ψ is the angle the tangent to C makes with the positive x axis..

It is further given that when ψ = 0 , s = 1 , where s is the arc length measured from
some fixed point.

Find an intrinsic equation for C , in the form s = f (ψ ) .

s = esinψ

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 14 (***)
A curve C has Cartesian equation

y = sinh 2 x , x ∈
.

Express the curvature at a general point on C in terms of cosh 4 x .

4
κ=
1 + cosh 4x

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 15 (***)
A curve C has intrinsic equation

s = 2ψ ,

where s is measured from some arbitrary point, and ψ is the angle the tangent to C
makes with the positive x axis..

ds
a) Describe C geometrically, with reference to .
dψ

b) Use a calculus method to obtain a Cartesian equation for C , in terms of

suitable constants.

( x − a )2 + ( y − b )2 = 4

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 16 (***)
A curve C has parametric equation s

π
x = t − sin 2t , y = cos 2t , 0 ≤ t < .
2

The point P lies on C where cos t = 1 10 .

4

Calculate the radius of curvature at P .

ρ P = 87

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 17 (***+)
A curve C has intrinsic equation

s = 12sin 2 ψ ,

where s is measured from a Cartesian origin, and ψ is the angle the tangent to C
makes with the positive x axis.

Show that a Cartesian equation of C is

2 2
y 3 + (8 − x ) 3 = 4 .

proof

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 18 (***+)
A curve C has Cartesian equation

y = cosh 2 x , x ∈
.

Show that the radius of curvature at the point on C where y = 4 is 24 1 .

2

proof

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 19 (***+)

x
O
(
P 4, − 2
3 )

The figure above shows the curve C with Cartesian equation

1 3
y = x2 − 1 x2 , x ∈
, x ≥ 0 .
3

( 3 ) (
2 3 )
Show that the centre of curvature at the point P 4, − 2 on C , is − 7 , − 32 .

proof

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 20 (***+)
A curve C has Cartesian equation

( )
y = 1 2 x 2 − ln x , x ∈
, x > 0 .
2

The point P lies on C where x = 1 .

a) Determine the radius of curvature at P .

b) Find the exact coordinates of the centre of curvature at P .

ρ = 25 ,
16 (161 , 74 )

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 21 (***+)
A curve C has Cartesian equation

3
y = 2 ( x − 1) 2 , x ∈
, x ≥ 1 .
3

The point P lies on C where x = 10 .

a) Determine the radius of curvature at P .

b) Find the exact coordinates of the centre of curvature at P .

ρ = 60 10 , ( −170, 78)

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 22 (***+)
A curve C has Cartesian equation

y = 2sin x , x ∈
.

π
The point P lies on C where x = .
6

a) Determine the radius of curvature at P .

b) Find the exact coordinates of the centre of curvature at P .

π 
ρ = −8 ,  + 4 3, −3 
6 

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 23 (***+)
A cycloid C has parametric equations

π
x = 2t + 2sin t , y = 2 − 2 cos t , 0 ≤ t < .
2

a) Show clearly that

dy
dx 2( )
= tan 1 t .

b) Find an intrinsic equation for C , in the form s = f (ψ ) , where s is measured

from a Cartesian origin, and ψ is the angle the tangent to C makes with the
positive x axis.

c) Calculate the curvature at the point on C where s = 4 .

s = 8sinψ , κ = 1 3
12

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 24 (***+)
A curve C has parametric equations

x = t 2 , y = 1 t3 , t ∈
.
4

The point P lies on C where t = 2 .

a) Determine the radius of curvature at P .

b) Find the exact coordinates of the centre of curvature at P .

6 (
ρ = 125 , − 17 , 56
2 3 )

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 25 (***+)
A curve C has intrinsic equation

s = 1ψ 2 ,
2

where s is measured from the point with Cartesian coordinates (1,0 ) , and ψ is the
angle the tangent to C makes with the positive x axis..

Use a calculus method to obtain two parametric equations for C , in terms of a

suitable parameter.

x = t sin t + cos t
y = −t cos t + sin t

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 26 (***+)
The radius of curvature at a general point on a curve C is given by

2sinψ ,

where ψ is the angle the tangent to C makes with the positive x axis..

It is further given that the arc length s is measured from the point with Cartesian
π
coordinates ( 0,1) , where the value of ψ at that point is .
3

a) Find an intrinsic equation for C , in the form s = f (ψ ) .

b) Show clearly that

x = 1 s (2 − s) .
4

s = 1 − 2cosψ

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 27 (***+)
The radius of curvature at a general point on a curve C is given by

2s + 1 ,

where s is the arc length measured from the Cartesian origin.

It is further given when s = 0 , ψ = 0 , where ψ is the angle the tangent to C makes

with the positive x axis..

a) Find an intrinsic equation for C , in the form s = f (ψ ) .

b) Determine a set of parametric equations for C .

You may assume without proof

∫e 2u
cos u du = 1 e2u ( 2cos u + sin u ) + constant
5

∫e 2u
sin u du = 1 e2u ( 2sin u − cos u ) + constant .
5

2 ( )
s = 1 e2ψ − 1 , x = 1 e2t ( 2 cos t + sin t ) + 2 , y = 1 e2t ( 2sin t − cos t ) + 2
5 5 5 5

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 28 (****)
A curve C has parametric equations

x = t 3 , y = 4t 2 − t 4 , t ∈
.

Find the exact coordinates of the centre of curvature at the point P on C where t = 1 .

( 349 , 1211 )

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 29 (****)
A cycloid C has parametric equations

x = θ + sin θ , y = 1 − cos θ , 0 ≤ θ ≤ 2π .

2π
Find the exact coordinates of the centre of curvature at the point on C where θ = .
3

 2π 3 5
 − , 
 3 2 2 

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 30 (****)
The gradient at every point on a curve C is given by

dy 1
= s,
dx 2

where s is the arc length along C measured from the point P whose Cartesian
coordinates are ( 0, 2 ) . It is further given that ψ = 0 at P , where ψ is the angle the
tangent to C makes with the positive x axis.

a) Show clearly that

ds 1 2
= s +4.
dx 2

b) Express s as a function of x .

c) Deduce that

( )
y = 2cosh 1 x .
2

( )
s = 2sinh 1 x
2

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 31 (****)
An ellipse has equation

3x 2 + y 2 = 18 .

The point P ( )
3,3 lies on C .

a) Determine the radius of curvature at P .

b) Find the exact coordinates of the centre of curvature at P .

( )
ρ = −4 , − 3,1

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 32 (****)
A curve C has intrinsic equation

ψ
(
s = ln tan
2 ) , 0 <ψ < π ,
where s is measured from a fixed point, and ψ is the angle the tangent to C makes
with the positive x axis.

It is given that the tangent to C at a Cartesian origin has infinite gradient.

Show that a Cartesian equation of C is

e x = cos y .

proof

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 33 (****)
A curve C has Cartesian equation

( )
y = ln x + 1 + x 2 + 2 x , x ∈
.

Determine the radius of curvature at the point on C where x = 2 .

ρ = −9

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 34 (****)
A curve C has Cartesian equation

sin y = e x , x ≤ 0 .

Find an intrinsic equation for C , in the form s = f (ψ ) , where s is measured from

 π
the point with Cartesian coordinates  0,  , and ψ is the angle the tangent to C
 2
makes with the positive x axis.

s = ln tan (ψ2 ) or e s = tan (ψ2 )

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 35 (****)
A curve C has intrinsic equation

π
( )
s = 8 sec3ψ − 1 , 0 ≤ ψ <
2
,

where s is the arc length is measured from a Cartesian origin O , and ψ is the angle
the tangent to C makes with the positive x axis. It is further given that ψ = 0 at the
origin O .

Show that a Cartesian equation of C is

x3
y2 = .
27

proof

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 36 (****)
A curve C has intrinsic equation

s = 4sinψ , 0 ≤ ψ ≤ π ,

where s is the arc length is measured from the Cartesian origin O , and ψ is the
angle the tangent to C makes with the positive x axis.

It is given that the tangent to C at O has zero gradient.

Show that the parametric equations of C are

x = t + sin t , y = 1 − cos t , 0 ≤ t ≤ 2π .

proof

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 37 (****)
A curve C has Cartesian equation

y = ln ( sin x ) , 0 < x < π .

Show clearly that

2
s = ln ,
tanψ + secψ

where s is the arc length measured from the point where ψ = arctan 3 , where ψ is
4
the angle the tangent to C makes with the positive x axis.

proof

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 38 (****)
A curve C has parametric equations

π
x = 6 tan 2 t , y = 4 tan 3 t , 0 ≤ t < .
2

It is further given that when t = 0 , s = 4 , where s is the arc length measured from
some fixed point.

Show clearly that

s = 4sec3ψ ,

where ψ is the angle the tangent to C makes with the positive x axis.

proof

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 39 (****+)

O x

An astroid is given parametrically by

x = 4cos3 θ , x = 4sin 3 θ , 0 ≤ θ < 2π .

a) Show that if the arc length s is measured from the point ( 4,0 ) , and ψ is the
angle the tangent to the astroid makes with the positive x axis, then

s = 6sin 2 ψ .

b) Determine the coordinates of the centre of curvature at the point P on the

π
astroid where θ =
6

(
C 3 3,5 )

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 40 (****+)
A curve C has parametric equations

x = 2sinh t , y = cosh 2 t , t ∈
.

It is further given that the arc length s is measured from the point where t = 0 .

Show clearly that

s = ln ( tanψ + secψ ) + tanψ secψ ,

where ψ is the angle the tangent to C makes with the positive x axis.

proof

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 41 (****+)
The position vector of a curve C is given by

 2   2t 
r (t ) =  2
− 1 i +   j,
 1+ t   1+ t2 

where t is a scalar parameter with t ∈
.

Find an expression for the position vector of C , giving the answer in the form

r (s) = f (s)i + g (s) j,

where s is the arc length of a general point on C , measure from the point (1,0 ) .

r ( s ) = ( cos s ) i + ( sin s ) j

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 42 (****+)
A curve C has intrinsic equation

π
s = ln ( tanψ + secψ ) + tanψ secψ , 0 ≤ ψ < ,
2

where s is the arc length is measured from the point with Cartesian coordinates ( 0,1) ,
and ψ is the angle the tangent to C makes with the positive x axis.

It is further given that the gradient at ( 0,1) is zero.

Show clearly that

y = 1 x2 + 1.
4

proof

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 43 (*****)
The gradient at every point on a curve C is given by

dy 1
= s,
dx 2

where s is the arc length along C measured from the point P whose Cartesian
coordinates are ( 0, 2 ) . It is further given that ψ = 0 at P , where ψ is the angle the
tangent to C makes with the positive x axis.

a) Show clearly that

x = 2ln secψ + tanψ , y = 2secψ .

b) Eliminate ψ to show further that

( )
y = 2cosh 1 x .
2

proof

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 44 (*****)
The radius of curvature ρ at any point on a curve with Cartesian equation y = f ( x )
is given by

3
  dy 2  2
1 +   
  dx  
  .
2
d y
dx 2

a) Given that the curve can be parameterized as x = g ( t ) , y = h ( t ) , for some

parameter t , show that

ρ=
( x 2 + y 2 ) 2

,
 − yx
xy 

where a dot above a variable denoted differentiation with respect to t .

A curve C is given parametrically by

x = cos t + t sin t , y = sin t − t cos t , 0 ≤ t < 2π .

b) Find an expression for ρ on C , giving the answer in terms of t .

ρ =t

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 45 (*****)
A curve C has Cartesian equation y = f ( x ) .

The same curve has intrinsic equation s = g (ψ ) , where s is measured from an

arbitrary point and ψ is the angle the tangent to C makes with the positive x axis.

ds
The radius of curvature ρ at any point on C is defined as .
dψ

3
  dy 2  2
1 +   
  dx  
a) Show clearly that ρ =  2

d y
dx 2

b) Given that C can be parameterized as x = h1 ( t ) , y = h2 ( t ) , for some

parameter t , show further that

ρ=
( x 2 + y 2 ) 2

,
 − yx
xy 

where a dot above a variable denotes differentiation with respect to t .

proof

Created by T. Madas