38 ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS - I

Let P(x, y) be any point in the XY-plane, which are called Cartesian coordinates. Join the points
O (origin) and P. Let OP = r, length of the segment and  be the angle made by the line OP with
positive x-axis. Then (r,) are called the polar coordinates of the point P.

In Particular, r is called the radial distance,  is called the polar angle, O is called the pole, X-axis
is called the initial line and the line OP is called the radius vector.

From the figure,

adj x
cos    x  r cos          (1)
hyp r
opp y
sin     y  r sin           (2)
hyp r
By squaring and adding (1) & (2), we get r  x 2  y 2
 y
and by dividing (1) & (2), we get   tan 1  
x

Hence, the Cartesian coordinates in terms of Polar coordinates are x  r cos , y  r sin and
 y
the Polar coordinates in terms of Cartesian coordinates are r  x 2  y 2 and   tan 1   .
x
The equation of a curve in Polar coordinates will be in the form r  f   . A curve specified by a
Polar equation is referred to as a Polar curve.

1.5 ANGLE BETWEEN RADIUS VECTOR AND TANGENT

Let P(r,) be any point on a Polar curve C being r  f   . Then OP = r and XOP   . Let PT be
a tangent to the curve at P, meeting x-axis at T. Let  be the angle made by the tangent PT with
the positive x-axis. Let  be the angle between the radius vector OP and the tangent PT.

Then,      -----------------------------(1)

Let (x, y) be the Cartesian coordinates of the point P, then

DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS - 1 39
we have x  r cos , y  r sin

From these, we have

dx dr dy dr
  r sin   cos and  r cos  sin 
d d d d
dy dy / d
we have, 
dx dx / d
dr
r cos   sin 

dy
 d
dx r sin   cos  dr
d
dr
Dividing both the numerator and the denominator on the right hand side by cos 
d
   dr 
 r cos    sin  d 
 
dr   dr 
 cos    cos  
dy 
 d   d  
dx    dr 
 r sin    cos  d 
 
dr   dr 
 cos    cos  
 d   d 
d
r  tan 
dy dr
               (2)
dx  d 
1  tan   r 
 dr 
dy
Also, we know that,  Slope of the tangent PT
dx
dy
i.e.,  tan
dx
dy
  tan    
dx
dy tan   tan 
             (3)
dx 1  tan  tan 
Comparing the corresponding terms in ( 2) & (3), we get
d
tan   r
dr
This is the formula for the angle between radius vector and the tangent.

1.6 ANGLE OF INTERSECTION OF TWO POLAR

CURVES
40 ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS - I

The angle of intersection of two curves is the angle between their tangents at that point.

Let r  f   and r  g   be two Polar curves intersect at P. Let 1 and 2 be the angles
between the common radius vector OP and the tangents PT1 and PT2.

Hence the angle between the tangents is equal to 1  2

 The acute angle of intersection of the curves is equal to 1  2


Note: If 1  2  or equivalently tan 1  tan 2  1 then we say that the curves intersect
2
orthogonally.

WORKED EXAMPLES
Example 1.29. Find the angle between the radius vector and the tangent for the curve
r  a 1  cos  
Solution :
Given, r  a 1  cos  
Differentiating w.r.t ' '

 a  0    sin     a sin 
dr
d
d
We have, tan   r
dr
d  1  1  cos  2sin 2  / 2 
 tan   r  a 1  cos       tan  / 2 
dr  a sin   sin  2sin  / 2  cos  / 2 

  . This is the required angle.
2
DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS - 1 41
Example 1.30. Find the angle between the radius vector and the tangent for the curve

r  a 1  cos   at   . Also find the slope of the tangent.
3
Solution :
Given, r  a 1  cos  
Differentiating w.r.t ' '

 a  0    sin      a sin 
dr
d
d
We have, tan   r
dr
d  1  1  cos  2 cos 2  / 2 
 tan   r  a 1  cos        cot  / 2 
dr  a sin    sin  2sin  / 2  cos  / 2 
  
 tan   tan   
 2 2
 
   .
2 2
   / 3 2
At   ,   = . This is the required angle.
3 2 2 3
2 
Also, we have        
3 3
 Slope of the tangent  tan   tan   0
Example 1.31. Find the angle between the radius vector and the tangent for the curve
2a
 1  cos 
r
Solution :
2a
Given,  1  cos 
r
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
2a dr dr r 2 sin 
 0    sin     sin   
r 2 d d 2a
d
We have, tan   r
dr
d  2a  2a 1  cos  2 cos 2  / 2 
 tan   r  r 2     cot  / 2 
dr  r sin   r sin  sin  2sin  / 2  cos  / 2 
  
 tan   tan   
 2 2
 
   . This is the required angle.
2 2
42 ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS - I
Example 1.32. Find the angle between the radius vector and the tangent for the curve
2a 2
 1- cos  at   . Also find the slope of the tangent.
r 3
Solution :
2a
Given,  1  cos 
r
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
2a dr dr r 2 sin 
 0    sin    sin   
r 2 d d 2a
d
We have, tan   r
dr
d  2a  2a 1  cos  2sin 2  / 2 
 tan   r  r 2      tan  / 2 
dr  r sin   r sin  sin  2sin  / 2  cos  / 2 
 
 tan   tan   
 2

   .
2
2 2 / 3 
At   ,   . This is the required angle.
3 2 3
2  
Also, we have        
3 3 3

 Slope of the tangent  tan  tan 3
3
Example 1.33. Find the angle between the radius vector and the tangent for the curve
r m  a m  cos m  sin m 
Solution :
Given, r m  a m  cos m  sin m 
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
dr ma   sin m  cos m 
m
dr
mr m 1  a m  m sin m  m cos m   
d d mr m 1
dr a  cos m  sin m 
m
 
d r m 1
d
We have, tan   r
dr
d  r m 1  rm a m  cos m  sin m 
 tan   r r m   
 a  cos m  sin m   a  cos m  sin m  a  cos m  sin m 
m m
dr
DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS - 1 43
cos m  sin m
 tan  
cos m  sin m
Dividing both the numerator and the denominator on the right hand side by cos m
1  tan m  
tan    tan   m 
1  tan m 4 

   m . This is the required angle.
4
Example 1.34. Find the angle between the radius vector and the tangent for the curve
r  ae cot 
Solution :
Given, r  ae cot 
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
dr dr
 ae cot   cot    r cot 
d d
d
We have, tan   r
dr
d  1 
 tan   r r  tan 
dr  r cot  
    . This is the required angle.
Example 1.35. Find  , for the curve r 2  a 2 sin 2
Solution :
Given, r 2  a 2 sin 2
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
dr dr a 2 cos 2
2r  a  2 cos 2  
2

d d r
d
We have, tan   r
dr
d  r  r2 a 2 sin 2
 tan   r  r 2     tan 2
 a cos 2  a cos 2 a cos 2
2 2
dr
   2 . This is the required angle.
Example 1.36. Find  , for the curve r 2 cos 2  a 2
Solution :
Given, r 2 cos 2  a 2
 r 2  a 2 sec 2
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
44 ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS - I
dr dr a sec 2 tan 2 r tan 2
2 2
2r  a 2  2sec 2 tan 2      r tan 2
d d r r
d
We have, tan   r
dr
d  1   
 tan   r  r   cot 2  tan   2 
dr  r tan 2  2 

   2 . This is the required angle.
2

Example 1.37. Find  , for the curve r  a cos ec 2  / 2  at   . Also find the slope of the tangent.
2
Solution :
Given, r  a cos ec 2  / 2 
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
dr  1 dr
 a  2 cos ec  / 2    cos ec  / 2  cot  / 2       a cos ec 2  / 2  cot  / 2 
d  2 d
dr
  r cot  / 2 
d
d
We have, tan   r
dr
d  1 
 tan   r  r     tan  / 2   tan   / 2 
dr  r cot  / 2  

   .
2
  /2 
At   ,     . This is the required angle.
2 2 4
  
Aslo, we have        
2 4 4

 Slope of the tangent = tan  tan 1
4
2
Example 1.38. Find  , for the curve r cos 2  / 2   a at   . Also find the slope of the tangent.
3
Solution :
Given, r cos 2  / 2   a
 r  a sec 2  / 2 
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
dr  1 dr
 a  2sec  / 2   sec  / 2  tan  / 2      a sec 2  / 2  tan  / 2 
d  2 d
dr
  r tan  / 2 
d
DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS - 1 45
d
We have, tan   r
dr
d  1    
 tan   r  r    cot  / 2   tan   
dr  r tan  / 2    2 2
 
   .
2 2
2  2 / 3   
At   ,      . This is the required angle.
3 2 2 2 3 6
2  5
Aslo, we have        
3 6 6
5 1
 Slope of the tangent = tan  tan 
6 3
Example 1.39. Find the angle of intersection of curves r  sin   cos  and r  2sin 
Solution :
Given, r  sin   cos 
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
dr
 cos   sin 
d
d
We have, tan 1  r
dr
d  1  cos   sin 
 tan 1  r   sin   cos    
dr  cos   sin   cos   sin 
Dividing both the numerator and the denominator on the right hand side by cos 
1  tan   
tan 1   tan    
1  tan  4 

 1  .
4
Given, r  2sin 
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
dr
 2 cos 
d
d
We have, tan 2  r
dr
d  1 
 tan 2  r   2sin      tan 
dr  2 cos  
 2   .
 
Angle of intersection of curves is 1  2    
4 4
46 ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS - I
Example 1.40. Find the angle of intersection of curves r  a 1  cos   and r  2a cos 
Solution :
Given, r  a 1  cos  
Differentiating w.r.t ' '

 a  0    sin     a sin 
dr
d
d
We have, tan 1  r
dr
d  1  1  cos  2sin 2  / 2 
 tan 1  r  a 1  cos        tan  / 2 
dr  a sin   sin  2sin  / 2  cos  / 2 

 1  .
2
Given, r  2a cos 
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
dr
 2a   sin    2a sin 
d
d
We have, tan 2  r
dr
d  1   
 tan 2  r   2a cos       cot   tan    
dr  2a sin   2 

 2  .
2
 
  
Angle of intersection of curves is 1  2      
2  2  2 2
To find the point of intersection, solve the given equations r  a 1  cos   and r  2a cos 
 a 1  cos    2a cos 
1
 3cos   1    cos 1  
3
 1 1
 Angle of intersection of curves is  cos 1  
2 2 3
DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS - 1 47
a
Example 1.41. Find the angle of intersection of curves r  a log  and r 
log 
Solution :
Given, r  a log 
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
dr 1 a
 a  
d   
d
We have, tan 1  r
dr
d  
 tan 1  r   a log       log 
dr a
 1  tan 1  log  
a
Given, r
log 
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
dr a 1 a
  
d  log      log  2
2

d
We have, tan 2  r
dr
d  a     log   
2

 tan 2  r      log 
dr  log    a 

 2  tan 1   log  
Angle of intersection of curves is 1  2  tan 1  log    tan 1  log    2 tan 1  log  
a
To find the point of intersection, solve the given equations r  a log  and r 
log 
a
 a log  
log 
  log    1  log   1    e
2

 Angle of intersection of curves is 2 tan 1  e log e   2 tan 1 e

48 ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS - I
a a
Example 1.42. Find the angle of intersection of curves r  and r 
1 1 2
Solution :
a
Given, r 
1
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
dr 1    a   a 1 a
 
d 1    1   
2 2

d
We have, tan 1  r
dr
  1    
2
d  a
 tan 1  r       1        2
dr  1    a 

 1  tan 1    2 
a
Given, r 
1 2
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
dr a 2a
  2 
d 1   2  2
1   2 
2

d
We have, tan 2  r
dr
d  a   1     1 2 
 2 2 

 tan 2  r   
dr  1   2   2a  2
 
 1   2  
1 
 1 2  
 2  tan  
1
   tan  
 2   2 
  
 1   2  
Angle of intersection of curves is 1  2  tan      tan 1 2
1

 2 
a a
To find the point of intersection, solve the given equations r  and r 
1 1 2
a a
 
1 1 2
  1   2   1     3  1    1
 2 1 
 Angle of intersection of curves is tan 1 2  tan 1 1  tan 1    tan  3
1

 1 2 
DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS - 1 49
a b
Example 1.43. Find the angle of intersection of curves r  and r 
1  cos  1  cos 
Solution :
a
Given, r 
1  cos 
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
dr a a sin 
   sin  
d 1  cos   1  cos  
2 2

d
We have, tan 1  r
dr
  1  cos    1  cos  2 cos 2  / 2 
2
d  a
 tan 1  r       cot  / 2 
dr  1  cos    a sin  
 sin  2sin  / 2  cos  / 2 
  
 tan 1  tan   
 2 2
 
 1  
2 2
b
Given, r 
1  cos 
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
dr b b sin 
  sin  
d 1  cos   1  cos  
2 2

d
We have, tan 2  r
dr
  1  cos    1  cos     2sin 2  / 2 
2
d  b
 tan 2  r       tan  / 2 
dr  1  cos    b sin  
 sin  2sin  / 2  cos  / 2 
    
 2  tan 1  tan      
  2  2
   
Angle of intersection of curves is 1  2    
2 2 2 2
a
Example 1.44. Find the angle of intersection of curves r  a and r 

Solution :
Given, r  a
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
dr
 a 1  a
d
50 ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS - I
d
We have, tan 1  r
dr
d 1
 tan 1  r   a     
dr a
 1  tan 1 
a
Given, r

Differentiating w.r.t ' '
dr a
 2
d 
d
We have, tan 2  r
dr
d  a    2 
 tan 2  r        
dr     a 
 2  tan 1      tan 1 
Angle of intersection of curves is 1  2  tan 1   tan 1   2 tan 1 
a
To find the point of intersection, solve the given equations r  a and r 

a
 a 

  1  1
2

 
 Angle of intersection of curves is 2 tan 1 1  2 
4 2
Example 1.45. Find the angle of intersection of curves r  a cos  and 2r  a
Solution :
Given, r  a cos 
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
dr
 a   sin    a sin 
d
d
We have, tan 1  r
dr
d  1   
 tan 1  r   a cos       cot   tan    
dr  a sin   2 

 1  
2
Given, 2r  a
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
dr dr
2 0 0
d d
DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS - 1 51
d
We have, tan 2  r
dr
d  a  1 
 tan 2  r      
dr  2  0 

 2  tan 1    
2
 
Angle of intersection of curves is 1  2    
2 2
To find the point of intersection, solve the given equations r  a cos  and 2r  a
 a cos   a / 2
1 
 2 cos   1  cos     
2 3

 Angle of intersection of curves is
3
Example 1.46. Show that the curves r  a 1  cos   and r  b 1  cos   cut orthogonally.
Solution :
Given, r  a 1  cos  
Differentiating w.r.t ' '

 a  0    sin      a sin 
dr
d
d
We have, tan 1  r
dr
d  1  1  cos  2 cos 2  / 2 
 tan 1  r  a 1  cos         cot  / 2 
dr  a sin    sin  2sin  / 2  cos  / 2 
Given, r  b 1  cos  
Differentiating w.r.t ' '

 b  0    sin     b sin 
dr
d
d
We have, tan 2  r
dr
d  1  1  cos  2sin 2  / 2 
 tan 2  r  b 1  cos       tan  / 2 
dr  b sin   sin  2sin  / 2  cos  / 2 
Now, tan 1  tan 2   cot  / 2   tan  / 2   1
Hence the given curves cut orthogonally.
52 ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS - I
Example 1.47. Show that the curves r  a 1  sin   and r  b 1  sin   cut orthogonally.
Solution :
Given, r  a 1  sin  
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
dr
 a  0  cos    a cos 
d
d
We have, tan 1  r
dr
d  1  1  sin 
 tan 1  r  a 1  sin    
dr  a cos   cos 
Given, r  b 1  sin  
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
dr
 b  0  cos    b cos 
d
d
We have, tan 2  r
dr
d  1 1  sin 
 tan 2  r  b 1  sin    
dr  b cos 
  cos 
1  sin  1  sin  1  sin 2  cos 2 
Now, tan 1  tan 2      1
cos   cos   cos 2   cos 2 
Hence the given curves cut orthogonally.
Example 1.48. Show that the curves r n  a n cos n and r n  b n sin n cut orthogonally.
Solution :
Given, r n  a n cos n
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
dr dr a n sin n
nr n 1  a n  n sin n   
d d r n 1
d
We have, tan 1  r
dr
d  r n 1  rn a n cos n
 tan 1  r  r n  n  n   cot n
dr   a sin n  a sin n a sin n
Given, r n  b n sin n
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
dr dr b n cos n
nr n 1  b n  n cos n   
d d r n 1
DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS - 1 53
d
We have, tan 2  r
dr
d  r n 1  rn b n sin n
 tan 2  r  r n  n  n  tan n
dr  b cos n  b cos n b cos n
Now, tan 1  tan 2   cot n  tan n  1
Hence the given curves cut orthogonally.
Example 1.49. Show that the curves r 2 sin 2  a 2 and r 2 cos 2  b 2 cut orthogonally.
Solution :
Given, r 2 sin 2  a 2
 r 2  a 2 cos ec 2
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
dr dr a 2 cos ec 2 cot 2 r 2 cot 2
2r  a 2  2 cos ec 2 cot 2       r cot 2
d d r r
d
We have, tan 1  r
dr
d  1 
 tan 1  r  r    tan 2
dr  r cot 2 
Given, r 2 cos 2  b 2
 r 2  b 2 sec 2
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
dr dr b 2 sec 2 tan 2 r 2 tan 2
2r  b 2  2sec 2 tan 2      r tan 2
d d r r
d
We have, tan 2  r
dr
d  1 
 tan 2  r  r   cot 2
dr  r tan 2 
Now, tan 1  tan 2   tan 2  cot 2  1
Hence the given curves cut orthogonally.
Example 1.50. Show that the curves r  a sec 2  / 2  and r  b cos ec 2  / 2  cut orthogonally.
Solution :
Given, r  a sec 2  / 2 
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
dr  1 dr
 a  2sec  / 2   sec  / 2  tan  / 2      a sec 2  / 2  tan  / 2 
d  2 d
dr
  r tan  / 2 
d
54 ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS - I
d
We have, tan 1  r
dr
d  1 
 tan 1  r  r    cot  / 2 
dr  r tan  / 2  
Given, r  b cos ec 2  / 2 
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
dr  1 dr
 b  2 cos ec  / 2    cos ec  / 2  cot  / 2      b cos ec 2  / 2  cot  / 2 
d  2 d
dr
  r cot  / 2 
d
d
We have, tan 2  r
dr
d  1 
 tan 2  r  r     tan  / 2 
dr  r cot  / 2  
Now, tan 1  tan 2  cot  / 2    tan  / 2   1
Hence the given curves cut orthogonally.
Example 1.51. Show that the curves r  ae and re  b cut orthogonally.
Solution :
Given, r  ae
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
dr
 ae  r
d
d
We have, tan 1  r
dr
d 1
 tan 1  r  r  1
dr r
Given, re  b
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
dr dr
re  e 0  r
d d
d
We have, tan 2  r
dr
d  1 
 tan 2  r  r    1
dr  r 
Now, tan 1  tan 2  1 1  1
Hence the given curves cut orthogonally.
DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS - 1 55
2a 2a
Example 1.52. Show that the curves  1  cos  and  1  cos  cut orthogonally.
r r
Solution :
2a
Given,  1  cos 
r
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
2a dr dr r 2 sin 
 0    sin     sin   
r 2 d d 2a
d
We have, tan 1  r
dr
d  2a  2a 1  cos  2 cos 2  / 2 
 tan 1  r  r 2     cot  / 2 
dr  r sin   r sin  sin  2sin  / 2  cos  / 2 
2a
Given,  1  cos 
r
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
2a dr dr r 2 sin 
 0    sin    sin   
r 2 d d 2a
d
We have, tan 2  r
dr
d  2a  2a 1  cos  2sin 2  / 2 
 tan 2  r  r 2          tan  / 2 
dr  r sin   r sin  sin  2sin  / 2  cos  / 2 
Now, tan 1  tan 2  cot  / 2    tan  / 2   1
Hence the given curves cut orthogonally.

Exercise 1.3
1. Find the angle between radius vector and the tangent for each of the following curves.
(i ) r n  a n cos ecn (ii ) r m  a m  cos m  sin m 
(iii ) r n  a n sec  n    (iv) r 2  a 2  cos 2  sin 2 
l
(v )  1  e cos  (vi ) r  be a
r
 2
2. Show that the tangent to the curve r  a 1  cos   at the points   and   are
3 3
respectively parallel and perpendicular to the initial line.
56 ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS - I
3. Find the slope of the tangents for the following curves
 
(i ) r 2  a 2 sin 2 at   (ii ) r  4sec 2  / 2  at  
12 2
 
(iii ) r  a sin 2 at   (iv) r  a 1  cos   at  
4 6
4. Find the angle of intersection of each of the following pairs of curves
(i ) r 2 sin 2  4 and r 2  16sin 2
(ii ) r 2  a 2 cos 2 and r  a 1  cos  
(iii ) r n  a n sec  n    and r n  b n sec  n   
(iv) r 2 cos  2     a 2 and r 2 cos  2     b 2
5. Show that each of the following pairs of curves intersect orthogonally
2a 2b
(i )  1  cos  and  1  cos 
r r
(ii ) r  2sin  and r  2cos 
(iii ) r 1  cos    a and r 1  cos    b
(iv) r  a 1  sin   and r  a 1  sin  

Answers
  
1. (i )  n (ii)  m (iii ) 
4 2 2
  1  e cos   1
(iv)  2 (v) tan 1   (vi ) tan 1  
4  e sin   a
3. (i ) 1 (ii ) 1 (iii )  1 (iv) 1
2
4. (i ) (ii ) 3 sin 1  3 / 4  (iii)    (iv)   
3

1.7 LENGTH OF THE PERPENDICULAR DRAWN FROM THE POLE TO THE TANGENT

Let P(r,) be any point on a Polar curve r  f   . Then OP = r and XOP   . Let PT be a
tangent to the curve at P. Draw OM perpendicular from the pole O the tangent PT.

Let OM = p (length of the perpendicular drawn from the pole to the tangent) and let  be the
angle between the radius vector OP and the tangent PT.
DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS - 1 57

opp OM p
From OPM , sin    
hyp OP r
 p  r sin               (1)

This is the length of the perpendicular drawn from the pole to the tangent in terms of r and  .

This formula in terms of r and  , can be expressed as follows:

1 1
Consider,  2 2
p 2
r sin 
1  1 
 2 cos ec 2  2 1  cot 2    2 1 
1 1 1

p 2
r r r  tan 2  
 
 
1  1  dr  
2
1 1  1 
 2  2 1  1    
p r   d 2  r 2  r 2  d  
 r  
  dr  
2
1 1 1  dr 
  2  4           (2)
p 2
r r  d 

This formula can also be expressed in another form as follows:

1
Let u 
r
du 1 dr
Then,  2
d r d
2 2
 du  1  dr 
   4  
 d  r  d 
Substituting these in (2), we get
2
1  du 
  u2             (3)
 d 
2
p
58 ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS - I
WORKED EXAMPLES

Example 1.53. For the Polar curve r  a 1  cos   , show that p  r cos  / 2 
Solution :
Given, r  a 1  cos  
Differentiating w.r.t ' '

 a  0    sin      a sin 
dr
d
d
We have, tan   r
dr
d  1  1  cos  2 cos 2  / 2 
 tan   r  a 1  cos        cot  / 2 
dr  a sin    sin  2sin  / 2  cos  / 2 
  
 tan   tan   
 2 2
 
   .
2 2
We have, p  r sin 
    
 p  r sin     r cos  
 2 2 2
 p  r cos  / 2 
Example 1.54. Find the length of the perpendicular from the pole to the tangent at the point
 a,  / 2  on the curve r  a 1  cos  
Solution :
Given, r  a 1  cos  
Differentiating w.r.t ' '

 a  0    sin     a sin 
dr
d
d
We have, tan   r
dr
d  1  1  cos  2sin 2  / 2 
 tan   r  a 1  cos       tan  / 2 
dr  a sin   sin  2sin  / 2  cos  / 2 

 
2
We have, p  r sin 
 
 p  r sin  
2
DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS - 1 59
   1 
At the point  a,  / 2  , p  a sin    a  
4  2
a
 p
2
Example 1.55. Find the length of the perpendicular from the pole to the tangent at the point
   / 3 on the curve r cos 2  / 2   a
Solution :
Given, r cos 2  / 2   a
 r  a sec 2  / 2 
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
dr  1 dr
 a  2sec  / 2   sec  / 2  tan  / 2      a sec 2  / 2  tan  / 2 
d  2 d
dr
  r tan  / 2 
d
d
We have, tan   r
dr
d  1    
 tan   r  r    cot  / 2   tan   
dr  r tan  / 2    2 2
 
  
2 2
We have, p  r sin 
    
 p  r sin     r cos  
 2 2 2
4a
At    / 3, r  a sec 2  / 6  
3
 4a   3  2a
 p   4a / 3 cos  / 6      
 3   2  3
2a
Hence, p 
3
Exercise 1.4
For each of the following curves, find the length of the perpendicular from the
pole on to the tangent
(i) r  a 1  cos   (ii) r 2  a 2 sin 2 (iii) r 2 sec 2  a 2
2a
(iv) r  a sec2  / 2  (v) r 2  a 2 sec 2 (vi)  1  cos 
r
60 ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS - I
Answers
r3
(i) 2a sin 3  / 2  (ii) 2
(iii) a cos3/2 2 (iv) a sec  / 2 
a
(v) a cos 2 (vi) a cos ec  / 2 

1.8 PEDAL EQUATION

A relation between p and r (without  and  ) is called a pedal equation or p-r equation.

Here p is the length of the perpendicular drawn from the pole to the tangent and r is the length
of the radius vector.

WORKING PROCEDURE TO FIND THE PEDAL EQUATION FOR THE POLAR CURVE

Given, r  f  
dr
 First find
d
d
 Then find  by using tan   r
dr
 (i ) If  express interms of  explicitly then use p  r sin 
2
1 1 1  dr 
(ii ) If  does not express interms of  explicitly then use 2  2  4  
p r r  d 
 Eliminate  and  by using the given equation

 We get a relation between p and r , which is the required pedal equation  p - r equation 

WORKED EXAMPLES
Example 1.56. Find the pedal equation for the curve r  a 1  cos  
Solution :
Given, r  a 1  cos              (1)
Differentiating w.r.t ' '

 a  0    sin     a sin 
dr
d
d
We have, tan   r
dr
d  1  1  cos  2 cos 2  / 2 
 tan   r  a 1  cos        cot  / 2 
dr  a sin    sin  2sin  / 2  cos  / 2 
  
 tan   tan   
 2 2
DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS - 1 61
 
    is expressed interms of  explicitly 
2 2
We have, p  r sin 
    
 p  r sin     r cos  
 2 2 2
p  
  cos              (2)
r 2
From (1), r  a 1  cos    a  2 cos 2  / 2 

  r   r
 cos 2     cos           (3)
 2  2a 2 2a
By using (3) in (2), we get
p r

r 2a
Squaring on both sides
p2 r
2

r 2a
 r  2ap 2 which is the required pedal equation
3

Example 1.57. Find the pedal equation for the curve r  a 1  cos  
Solution :
Given, r  a 1  cos              (1)
Differentiating w.r.t ' '

 a  0    sin     a sin 
dr
d
d
We have, tan   r
dr
d  1  1  cos  2sin 2  / 2 
 tan   r  a 1  cos       tan  / 2 
dr  a sin   sin  2sin  / 2  cos  / 2 

   is expressed interms of  explicitly 
2
We have, p  r sin 
 
 p  r sin  
2
p  
  sin              (2)
r 2
From (1), r  a 1  cos    a  2sin 2  / 2 
62 ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS - I
  r   r
 sin 2     sin           (3)
 2  2a 2 2a
By using (3) in (2), we get
p r

r 2a
Squaring on both sides
p2 r
2

r 2a
 r  2ap 2 which is the required pedal equation
3

Example 1.58. Find the pedal equation for the curve r 1  cos    2a
Solution :
Given, r 1  cos    2a            (1)
Differentiating w.r.t ' '

r  0    sin     1  cos  
dr
0
d
dr
 1  cos     r sin 
d
dr r sin 
 
d 1  cos  
d
We have, tan   r
dr
d  1  cos    1  cos  2sin 2  / 2 
 tan   r  r      tan  / 2 
dr   r sin    sin  2sin  / 2  cos  / 2 

    is expressed interms of  explicitly 
2
We have, p  r sin 
 
 p  r sin   
 2
p  
   sin              (2)
r 2
From (1), r 1  cos    2a
 r  2sin 2  / 2    2a

  a   a
 sin 2     sin           (3)
2 r 2 r
DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS - 1 63
By using (3) in (2), we get
p a

r r
Squaring on both sides
p2 a

r2 r
 p 2  ar which is the required pedal equation
Example 1.59. Find the pedal equation for the curve r 2  a 2 sec 2
Solution :
Given, r 2  a 2 sec 2            (1)
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
dr dr a 2 sec 2 tan 2 r 2 tan 2
2r  a 2  2sec 2 tan 2      r tan 2
d d r r
d
We have, tan   r
dr
d  1   
 tan   r  r   cot 2  tan   2 
dr  r tan 2  2 

   2 .  is expressed interms of  explicitly 
2
We have, p  r sin 
 
 p  r sin   2 
2 
p
  cos 2            (2)
r
From (1), r 2  a 2 sec 2
r2 a2
 2  sec 2  cos 2  2        (3)
a r
By using (3) in (2), we get
p a2

r r2
 pr  a 2 which is the required pedal equation
Example 1.60. Find the pedal equation for the curve r 2  a 2 cos 2
Solution :
Given, r 2  a 2 cos 2            (1)
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
dr dr a 2 sin 2
2r  a 2  2sin 2   
d d r
64 ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS - I
d
We have, tan   r
dr
d  r  r2 a 2 cos 2  
 tan   r  r 2        cot 2  tan   2 
 a sin 2  a sin 2 a sin 2 2 
2 2
dr

   2 .  is expressed interms of  explicitly 
2
We have, p  r sin 
 
 p  r sin   2 
2 
p
  cos 2            (2)
r
From (1), r 2  a 2 cos 2
r2
 cos 2         (3)
a2
By using (3) in (2), we get
p r2

r a2
 r 3  pa 2 which is the required pedal equation
Example 1.61. Find the pedal equation for the curve r  a cos ec 2  / 2 
Solution :
Given, r  a cos ec 2  / 2             (1)
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
dr  1 dr
 a  2 cos ec  / 2    cos ec  / 2  cot  / 2       a cos ec 2  / 2  cot  / 2 
d  2  d
dr
   r cot  / 2 
d
d
We have, tan   r
dr
d  1 
 tan   r  r     tan  / 2   tan   / 2 
dr   r cot  / 2  

    is expressed interms of  explicitly 
2
We have, p  r sin 
 
 p  r sin   
 2
p  
   sin              (2)
r 2
DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS - 1 65
r
From (1), r  a cos ec 2  / 2   cos ec 2  / 2  
a
r
 cos ec  / 2  
a
a
 sin  / 2            (3)
r
By using (3) in (2), we get
p a

r r
Squaring on both sides
p2 a

r2 r
 p 2  ar which is the required pedal equation
Example 1.62. Find the pedal equation for the curve r n  a n cos n
Solution :
Given, r n  a n cos n            (1)
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
dr dr a n sin n
nr n 1  a n  n sin n   
d d r n 1
d
We have, tan   r
dr
d  r n 1  rn a n cos n  
 tan   r  r n        cot n  tan   n 
 a sin n  a sin n a sin n 2 
n n
dr

   n .  is expressed interms of  explicitly 
2
We have, p  r sin 
 
 p  r sin   n 
2 
p
  cos n            (2)
r
From (1), r n  a n cos n
rn
 cos n         (3)
an
By using (3) in (2), we get
p rn

r an
 r n 1  pa n which is the required pedal equation
66 ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS - I
Example 1.63. Find the pedal equation for the curve r  a m sin m
m

Solution :
Given, r m  a m sin m            (1)
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
dr dr a m cos m
mr m 1  a m  m cos m   
d d r m 1
d
We have, tan   r
dr
d  r m 1  rm a m sin m
 tan   r  r m     tan m
 a cos m  a cos m a cos m
m m
dr
   m  is expressed interms of  explicitly 
We have, p  r sin 
 p  r sin  m 
p
  sin m            (2)
r
From (1), r m  a m sin m
rm
 sin m         (3)
am
By using (3) in (2), we get
p rm

r am
 r m 1  pa m which is the required pedal equation
Example 1.64. Find the pedal equation for the curve r m cos m  a m
Solution :
Given, r m cos m  a m
 r m  a m sec m            (1)
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
dr dr a m sec m tan m r m tan m
mr m 1  a m  m sec m tan m      r tan m
d d r m 1 r m 1
d
We have, tan   r
dr
d  1   
 tan   r  r   cot m  tan   m 
dr  r tan m  2 

   m .  is expressed interms of  explicitly 
2
We have, p  r sin 
DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS - 1 67
 
 p  r sin   m 
2 
p
  cos m            (2)
r
From (1), r m  a m sec m
rm am
  sec m  cos m         (3)
am rm
By using (3) in (2), we get
p am

r rm
 pr m 1  a m which is the required pedal equation
Example 1.65. Find the pedal equation for the curve r m  a m  cos m  sin m 
Solution :
Given, r m  a m  cos m  sin m             (1)
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
dr ma   sin m  cos m 
m
dr
mr m 1  a m  m sin m  m cos m   
d d mr m 1
dr a  cos m  sin m 
m
 
d r m 1
d
We have, tan   r
dr
d  r m 1  rm a m  cos m  sin m 
 tan   r r m  m  m
dr  a  cos m  sin m   a  cos m  sin m  a  cos m  sin m 
cos m  sin m
 tan  
cos m  sin m
Dividing both the numerator and the denominator on the right hand side by cos m
1  tan m  
tan    tan   m 
1  tan m 4 

   m  is expressed interms of  explicitly 
4
We have, p  r sin 
 
 p  r sin   m 
4 
p  
  sin cos m  cos sin m
r 4 4
p 1 1
  cos m  sin m
r 2 2
68 ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS - I
p 1
   cos m  sin m           (2)
r 2
From (1), r m  a m  cos m  sin m 
rm
  cos m  sin m        (3)
am
By using (3) in (2), we get
p rm

r am
 r m 1  pa m which is the required pedal equation
2a
Example 1.66. Find the pedal equation for the curve  1  cos 
r
Solution :
2a
Given,  1  cos           (1)
r
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
2a dr dr r 2 sin 
 0    sin     sin   
r 2 d d 2a
d
We have, tan   r
dr
d  2a  2a 1  cos  2 cos 2  / 2 
 tan   r  r 2     cot  / 2 
dr  r sin   r sin  sin  2sin  / 2  cos  / 2 
  
 tan   tan   
 2 2
 
    is expressed interms of  explicitly 
2 2
We have, p  r sin 
  
 p  r sin   
 2 2
p 
  cos            (2)
r 2
2a
From (1),  1  cos 
r
2a
  2 cos 2  / 2
r
 a
 cos           (3)
2 r
By using (3) in (2), we get
DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS - 1 69
p a

r r
Squaring on both side
p2 a

r2 r
 p 2  ar which is the required pedal equation
2a
Example 1.67. Find the pedal equation for the curve  1  cos 
r
Solution :
2a
Given,  1  cos           (1)
r
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
2a dr dr r 2 sin 
 0    sin    s in   
r 2 d d 2a
d
We have, tan   r
dr
d  2a  2a 1  cos  2sin 2  / 2 
 tan   r  r 2          tan  / 2 
dr  r sin   r sin  sin  2sin  / 2  cos  / 2 
 
 tan   tan   
 2

    is expressed interms of  explicitly 
2
We have, p  r sin 
 
 p  r sin   
 2
p 
  sin            (2)
r 2
2a
From (1),  1  cos 
r
2a
  2sin 2  / 2
r
 a
 sin           (3)
2 r
By using (3) in (2), we get
p a

r r
Squaring on both side
70 ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS - I
2
p a
2

r r
 p  ar which is the required pedal equation
2

Example 1.68. For the curve r n  a n sin n  b n cos n , show that the pedal equation is
p 2  a 2n  b2n   r 2n2
Solution :
Given, r n  a n sin n  b n cos n            (1)
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
dr n  a cos n  b sin n 
n n
dr
nr n 1
 a  n cos n   b  n sin n  
n n

d d nr n 1
dr a n cos n  b n sin n
 
d r n 1
d
We have, tan   r
dr
d  r n 1  rn
 tan   r  r n  n
 a cos n  b sin n  a cos n  b sin n
n n
dr
a n sin n  b n cos n
 tan  
a n cos n  b n sin n
 cannot be expressed interms of  explicitly 
2
1 1 1  dr 
We have, 2  2  4  
p r r  d 
2
1 1 1  a n cos n  b n sin n 
 2  2  4 
p r r  r n 1 
1  a cos n  b sin n 
n n 2

 2 
r r 2n2

1   a cos n  b sin n  
 n n 2

 2 1
r  r 2n 
 

1  r   a cos n  b sin n  
 2n n n 2

 2
r  r 2n 
 

1   a sin n  b cos n    a cos n  b sin n  

 n n 2 n n 2

 2
r  r 2n 
 
1  a 2 n sin 2 n  b 2 n cos 2 n  2sin n cos n  a 2 n cos 2 n  b 2 n sin 2 n  2 cos n sin n 
 2  
r  r 2n 
DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS - 1 71

1  a  sin n  cos n   b  cos n  sin n  

2n 2 2 2n 2 2

  
r2  r 2n 

1  a 1  b 1 
2n 2n
 2  
r  r 2n 
1 a b
2n 2n
 2 
p r 2n2
 p 2  a 2 n  b 2 n   r 2 n  2 which is the required pedal equation
1 2 2 
Example 1.69. Show that for the curve r cos  a  b    a 2  b 2 , the pedal equation is
a 
2 2
ar
p2  2
r  b2
Solution :
1 2 2 
Given, r cos  a  b    a 2  b 2            (1)
a 
1 2 2
Putting a b  k            (2)
a
 a 2  b 2  ak
 Equation (1) becomes,
r cos k  ak            (3)
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
 dr 
r  k sin k   cos k  0
 d 
dr rk sin k dr
   rk tan k             (4)
d cos k d
d
We have, tan   r
dr
d  1  cot k
 tan   r  r 
dr  rk tan k  k
a n sin n  b n cos n
 tan  
a n cos n  b n sin n
 cannot be expressed interms of  explicitly 
2
1 1 1  dr 
We have, We have,  2  4 
p 2
r r  d 
1 1 1
  2  4  rk tan k 
2
2
p r r

 2  4  r 2 k 2 tan 2 k 
1 1
r r
72 ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS - I
1 1 2
  k tan 2 k
r2 r2
1
 2 1  k 2 tan 2 k 
r
1
 2 1  k 2  sec 2 k  1 
r  
 1 2 r
2

 1  k  2 2  1   by using (3) 
 r2 a k 
1  r2 
 2 1  2  k 2 
r  a 
1  r 2  a 2  b2 
 1      by using (2) 
r 2  a2  a2 
1  a 2  r 2  a 2  b2 
 2  
r  a2 
1  r 2  b2  r 2  b2
   2 2
r 2  a2  ar
2 2
ar
 p2  2 is the required pedal equation.
r  b2
l
Example 1.70. Find the pedal equation for the curve  1  e cos 
r
Solution :
l
Given,  1  e cos               (1)
r
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
l dr dr r 2e sin 
  0  e   sin    
r 2 d d l
d
We have, tan   r
dr
d  l  l
 tan   r  r 2 
dr  r e sin   re sin 
 l 
   tan 1    cannot be expressed interms of  explicitly 
 re sin  
2
1 1 1  dr 
We have, 2  2  4  
p r r  d 
2
1 1 1  r 2 e sin  
 2  2  4 
p r r  l 
DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS - 1 73
1 1  r e sin  
4 2 2
 2
 4 
r r  l2 
1 e sin 
2 2
 2 
r l2
1 e2
 2
 2 1  cos 2              (2)
r l
l 1 l 
From (1),  1  e cos   cos     1
r er 
2
1 l 
 cos   2   1
2
           (3)
e r 
Using (3) in (2), we get
1 e2  1  l  
2
1
  1    1 
p 2 r 2 l 2  e 2  r  

1 e2  1  l 2 l 
 2  2 1  2  2  1  2  
r l  e r r 
1 e 2  1 l 2 1 2l 
  1    
r 2 l 2  e2 r 2 e2 e2 r 
1 e 2  e 2 r 2  l 2  r 2  2lr 
   
r2 l2  e2 r 2 
1  1 
 2 1  2 e 2 r 2  l 2  r 2  2lr  
r  l 
1  l 2  e 2 r 2  l 2  r 2  2lr 
  
r2  l2 
1  r  e  1  2lr 
2 2

 2  
r  l2 

1 2l 
 2  2  e 2  1   is the required pedal equation
1
p l  r
74 ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS - I

Example 1.71. Find the pedal equation for the curve r  a sec hn
Solution :
Given, r  a sec hn            (1)
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
dr dr
 a   n sec hn tanh n     nr tanh n
d d
d
We have, tan   r
dr
d  1  1
 tan   r  r 
dr  nr tanh n  n tanh n
 1 
   tan 1     cannot be expressed interms of  explicitly 
 n tanh n 
2
1 1 1  dr 
We have, 2  2  4  
p r r  d 
1 1 1
 2  2  4   nr tanh n 
2

p r r

 2  4  n 2 r 2 tanh 2 n 
1 1
r r
1 n2
 2
 2 1  sech 2 n             (2)
r r
r
From (1), r  a sec hn  sec hn 
a
2
r
 sech 2 n  2             (3)
a
Using (3) in (2), we get
1 1 n2  r 2 
  1  
p2 r 2 r 2  a2 
1 n2  a 2  r 2 
 2  2  
r r  a2 
1 1  2a r 
2 2

 2
 2 
1  n  2   is the required pedal equation
p r   a 
DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS - 1 75
Example 1.72. Find the pedal equation for the curve r  a sec hn
n n

Solution :
Given, r n  a n sec hn            (1)
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
dr dr r n tanh n
nr n 1  a n  n sec hn tanh n   
d d r n 1
dr
   r tanh n
d
d
We have, tan   r
dr
d  1  1
 tan   r  r 
dr   r tanh n  tanh n
 1 
   tan 1     cannot be expressed interms of  explicitly 
 tanh n 
2
1 1 1  dr 
We have, 2  2  4  
p r r  d 
1 1 1
 2  2  4   r tanh n 
2

p r r

 2  4  r 2 tanh 2 n 
1 1
r r

 2  2 1  sech 2 n             (2)
1 1
r r
rn
From (1), r n  a n sec hn  sec hn 
an
r 2n
 sech 2 n              (3)
a 2n
Using (3) in (2), we get
1 1 1  r 2n 
  1  
p2 r 2 r 2  a2n 
 1 r 2n 
 1  1  
 r2 a 2n 
1  r 2n 
 2 2  2n 
r  a 
1 1  r 2n 
 2
 2  2  2n 
is the required pedal equation
p r  a 
76 ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS - I
r 2  a2 a
Example 1.73. For the curve    cos 1   , prove that p  r 2  a 2
a r
Solution :
r 2  a2 a
Given,    cos 1              (1)
a r
Differentiating w.r.t ' r '
d 1  1  1 a
   2r    2
dr a  2 r 2  a 2  1 a / r  r
2

r a r 2  a2 r 2  a2
   
a r 2  a2 r r 2  a2 ar r 2  a 2 ar
dr ar
 
d r 2  a2
2
1 1 1  dr 
We have, 2  2  4  
p r r  d 
2
1 1 1  ar 
 2  2  4 
p r r  r 2  a2 
1 1  a2r 2 
 2  4 2 
r r  r  a2 
1 1  a2 
   
r 2 r 2  r 2  a2 
r 2  a2  a2
 2 2
r  r  a2 
r2

r 2  r 2  a2 
1

r  a2
2

 p2  r 2  a2  p  r 2  a2

Exercise 1.5
 DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS - 1 77
For each of the following curves, find the Pedal equation ( p  r equation)
(i ) r  a sin m (ii ) r  a  b cos  (iii ) r 2  a 2 sin 2  b 2 cos 2
(iv) r  ae cot  (v) r 1  sin  / 2   a (vi ) r cos m  a
2

Answers
(i ) r 4  p 2  a 2 m 2  1  m 2  r 2  (ii ) r 4  p 2  b 2  a 2   2ar 
(iii ) r 6  p 2  a 4  b 4  (vi ) p  r sin 
 2 a2  2
(v) ar  4 p
3 4
(vi )  m  2  r  a 2  m 2  1
 p 

1.9 DERIVATIVE OF ARC LENGTH

Let A be a fixed point and P be any point on the curve C in the XY-plane.
Let AP = s, then s is called arc-length.
Let Q be the neighborhood point of P on the curve C such that AQ = s + s
Then, arc PQ = s
Let  be the angle made by the tangent PT with the x-axis. Then the
coordinates (s,) are called intrinsic coordinates and the relation
between s and  is called intrinsic equation.
Let the length of the chord PQ = c, along the curve C.

As Q  P implies s = c, along the curve C.

s
Thus, Lt 1                (1)
QP c
1.10 DERIVATIVE OF ARC LENGTH IN CARTESIAN FORM

Let y  f  x  be the Cartesian equation of the curve C. Let P  x, y  and Q  x   x, y   y 

be the points on the curve C.
78 ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS - I
Then by distance formula,  from the figure 
 c    x    y 
2 2 2

Dividing both side  x 

2

 c   y 
2 2

   1  
x x
c  y 
2

  1  
x x
s s c s  y 
2

   1  
 x c  x c x 
As Q  P implies  x  0, along the curve C.

s  s  y 
2

 Lt  Lt  1   
QP  x QP  c 
 x 0  x 0    x   
2
ds  dy 
  1 1     by using (1)
dx  dx 
2
ds  dy 
  1                  (2)
dx  dx 
This is the derivative of arc length 's' w.r.t ' x '
2
ds  dx 
Similarly,  1                  (3)
dy  dy 
This is the derivative of arc length 's' w.r.t ' y '

1.11 DERIVATIVE OF ARC LENGTH IN PARAMETRIC FORM

Let x  f t  , y  g t  be the parametric equation of the curve C, where t is the parameter.

Let P  x, y  and Q  x   x, y   y  be the points on the curve C.

dy dy / dt
We have,                 (4)
dx dx / dt

Using this, equation (2) becomes,

 dx / dt    dy / dt 
2 2 2
ds  dy / dt 
 1   
 dx / dt   dx / dt 
2
dx
DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS - 1 79
ds 1
   dx / dt    dy / dt 
2 2

dx  dx / dt 
ds ds dx  1  dx
    dx / dt    dy / dt 
2 2

dt dx dt   dx / dt   dt
2 2
ds  dx   dy 
                     (5)
dt  dt   dt 
This is the derivative of arc length 's' w.r.t parameter ' t '

1.12 DERIVATIVE OF ARC LENGTH IN POLAR FORM

Let r  f   be the Polar equation of the curve C. Let P  r,  and Q  r   r,    be
the points on the curve C.

From the figure, we have

PN  OP sin   OP    r
NQ  OQ  ON  OQ  OP cos   OQ  OP
 r   r   r   r
From PNQ,
PQ 2  PN 2  NQ 2
 c    r    r 
2 2 2

Dividing both side by  

2

 c  r 
2 2

   r    
2

     
c r 
2

  r2   
   
s s c s 2  r 
2

   r  
  c   c   
As Q  P implies   0, along the curve C
80 ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS - I

s  s  r  
2

 Lt  Lt  r   
2
Q  P  QP  c
 0  0      
r 
2
ds
  1 r 2     by using (1)
d   
2
ds  dr 
  r2                   (6)
d  d 
This is the derivative of arc length 's' w.r.t ' '

 d 
2
ds
Similarly,  1 r2                  (7)
dr  dr 
This is the derivative of arc length 's' w.r.t ' r '

List of formulae in the derivatives of arc length

2
 dx 
2
ds  dy  ds
 1  
Cartesian form  1  
dx  dx  dy  dy 

2 2 2 2
ds  dx   dy  ds  dx   dy 
         
Parametric form
dt  dt   dt  d  d   d 
where ' t ' is the parameter where ' ' is the parameter

 d 
2 2
ds  dr  ds
Polar form  r2     1 r2  
d  d  dr  dr 

Note:

dy dx dy
1. sin  , cos  , tan 
ds ds dx
d dr d
2. sin   r , cos  , tan  r
ds ds dr

WORKED EXAMPLES
DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS - 1 81
ds ds
Example 1.74. Find and for the curve y 2  4ax
dx dy
Solution :
Given, y 2  4ax            (1)
Differentiating w.r.t ' x '
dy dy 2a
2y  4a 1  
dx dx y
2
ds  dy 
We have,  1  
dx  dx 
2
ds  2a  4a 2 4a 2
  1    1 2  1  by using (1)
dx  y  y 4ax
ds a
  1
dx x
2
ds  dx 
We have,  1  
dy  dy 
2
ds  y  y2 4ax
  1    1 2  1 2  by using (1)
dy  2a  4a 4a
ds x
  1
dy a
ds ds
Example 1.75. Find and for the curve ay 2  x 3
dx dy
Solution :
Given, ay 2  x 3            (1)
Differentiating w.r.t ' x '
 dy  dy 3 x 2
a  2 y   3x 2  
 dx  dx 2ay
2
 dy   3 x 
2 2
9 x4 9 x4 9x
Now,        
 dx   2ay  4a  ay  4a  x  4a
2 3

2
ds  dy 
We have,  1  
dx  dx 
ds 9x
  1
dx 4a
82 ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS - I
2
ds  dx 
We have,  1  
dy  dy 
ds 4a
  1
dy 9x
ds ds
Example 1.76. Find and for the curve x 2/3  y 2/3  a 2/3
dx dy
Solution :
Given, x 2/3  y 2/3  a 2/3            (1)
Differentiating w.r.t ' x '
2 1/3 2 1/3 dy
x  y 0
3 3 dx
2 dy 2
 y 1/3   x 1/3
3 dx 3
x 1/3
1/3
dy  y
   1/3    
dx y x
2
ds  dy 
We have,  1  
dx  dx 
x 2/3  y 2/3
2/3
ds  y a 2/3
  1      by using (1)
dx x x 2/3 x 2/3
1/3
ds  a 
  
dx  x 
2
ds  dx 
We have,  1  
dy  dy 
2/3
ds x y 2/3  x 2/3 a 2/3
  1      by using (1)
dy  y y 2/3 y 2/3
1/3
ds  a 
  
dx  y 
DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS - 1 83
ds
Example 1.77. Find for the curve x  a  t  sin t  , y  a 1  cos t 
dt
Solution :
Given, x  a  t  sin t             (1)
Differentiating w.r.t ' t '
dx
 a 1  cos t 
dt
Given, y  a 1  cos t             (2)
Differentiating w.r.t ' t '
dy
 a  0  sin t   a sin t
dt
2 2
ds  dx   dy 
We have,     
dt  dt   dt 

  a 1  cos t     a sin t   a 2 1  cos 2 t  2 cos t  sin 2 t   a 2  2 cos t

ds 2

2

dt
 a 2 1  cos t   a 2  2 cos 2 t / 2   2a cos t / 2
ds t
  2a cos
dt 2
ds
Example 1.78. Find for the curve x  a  cos    sin   , y  a  sin    cos  
d
Solution :
Given, x  x  a  cos    sin              (1)
Differentiating w.r.t ' '

 a   sin     cos    sin  1  a cos 

dx
d
Given, y  a  sin    cos              (2)
Differentiating w.r.t ' '

 a cos      sin    cos  1  a sin 

dy
d
2 2
ds  dx   dy 
We have,     
d  d   d 

  a cos     a sin    a 2 2  cos 2   sin 2    a

ds

2 2

d
ds
  a
d
84 ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS - I
ds  t
Example 1.79. Find for the curve x  a  cos t  log tan  , y  a sin t
dt  2
Solution :
 t
Given, x  a  cos t  log tan             (1)
 2
Differentiating w.r.t ' t '
dx  1 1  cos t / 2 1 1
 a   sin t   sec 2  t / 2     a   sin t    
dt  tan t / 2 2  sin t / 2 cos 2  t / 2  2 
 1   1    sin 2 t  1   cos 2 t 
 a   sin t    a   sin t    a    a  
 2sin  t / 2  cos  t / 2    sin t   sin t   sin t 
dx
  a cot t cos t
dt
Given, y  a sin t            (2)
Differentiating w.r.t ' t '
dy
 a  cos t 
dt
2 2
ds  dx   dy 
We have,     
dt  dt   dt 

   a  cot t cos t     a cos t   a 2  cot 2 t cos 2 t  cos 2 t   a cos 2 t  cot 2 t  1

ds 2 2

dt

 a cos 2 t  cos ec 2t   a
cos 2 t
 a cot t
sin 2 t
ds
  a cot t
dt
ds ds
Example 1.80. Find and for the curve r  a 1  cos  
d dr
Solution :
Given, r  a 1  cos              (1)
Differentiating w.r.t ' '

 a  0    sin      a sin 
dr
d
2
ds  dr 
We have,  r2   
d  d 

  a 1  cos      a sin    a 2 1  cos 2   2 cos   sin 2    a 2  2  2 cos  

ds 2

2

d
 a 2 1  cos    a 2  2 cos 2  / 2   2a cos  / 2
DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS - 1 85
ds
  2a cos  / 2
d
 d 
2
ds
We have,  1 r2  
dr  dr 
2
ds  1  1 r2 1
  1 r2    1  r 2
 1 
dr  a sin   a sin 
2 2
a 1  cos 2  
2

r r
From (1), r  a 1  cos     1  cos   cos    1
a a
2
r 
 cos     1
2

a 
 r2 r  a 2  r 2  a 2  2ar 2ar  r 2 r  2a  r 
2
r 
 1  cos 2   1    1  1   2  1  2    
a  a a a2 a2 a2


ds r2
 1 2
1
 1
r

 2a  r   r
dr a r  2a  r   2a  r   2a  r 
a2
ds 2a
 
dr 2a  r
ds ds
Example 1.81. Find and for the curve r  a 1  cos  
d dr
Solution :
Given, r  a 1  cos              (1)
Differentiating w.r.t ' '

 a  0    sin     a sin 
dr
d
2
ds  dr 
We have,  r2   
d  d 

  a 1  cos      a sin    a 2 1  cos 2   2 cos   sin 2    a 2  2  2 cos  

ds 2

2

d
 a 2 1  cos    a 2  2sin 2  / 2   2a sin  / 2
ds
  2a sin  / 2
d
 d 
2
ds
We have,  1 r2  
dr  dr 
86 ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS - I
2
ds 2 1  1 r2 1
  1 r    1 r 2 2  1 2
2

dr  a sin   a sin  a 1  cos 2  

r r
From (1), r  a 1  cos     1  cos   cos   1 
a a
2
 r
 cos 2   1  
 a
 r2 r  a 2  a 2  r 2  2ar 2ar  r 2 r  2a  r 
2
 r
 1  cos   1  1    1  1  2  2  
2
 
 a  a a a2 a2 a2


ds r2
 1 2
1
 1
r

 2a  r   r
dr a r  2a  r   2a  r   2a  r 
a2
ds 2a
 
dr 2a  r
ds ds
Example 1.82. Find and for the curve r m  a m cos m
d dr
Solution :
Given, r m  a m cos m            (1)
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
dr
mr m 1  a m  m sin m 
d
dr a  m sin m  a  sin m  ra  sin m 
m m m
     r tan m
d mr m 1 r m r 1 a m cos m
2
ds  dr 
We have,  r2   
d  d 

 r 2   r tan m   r 2  r 2 tan 2 m  r 2 1  tan 2 m   r sec2 m  r sec m

ds

2

d
ds
  a  cos m  sec m
1/ m

d
 d 
2
ds
We have,  1 r2  
dr  dr 
cos 2 m cos 2 m
2
ds 2 1  2 1 
  1 r    1 r  2   1  1
 r tan m   r tan m  sin 2 m 1  cos 2 m
2
dr
rm
From (1), r m  a m cos m  cos m 
am
r 2m
 cos 2 m 
a2m
DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS - 1 87

ds
  1
 r 2m / a2m 
 1 
r 2m
dr 1   r 2m / a2m  a2m  r 2m
ds
Example 1.83. For the curve r 2  a 2 cos 2 , prove that r is constant.
d
Solution :
Given, r 2  a 2 cos 2            (1)
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
dr
2r  a 2  2sin 2 
d
dr a 2 sin 2
 
d r
2
ds  dr 
We have,  r2   
d  d 
2
ds  a 2 sin 2  a 4 sin 2 2 r 4  a 4 sin 2 2 a 4 cos 2 2  a 4 sin 2 2
  r 
2
  r 
2
 
d  r  r2 r2 r2

a 4  cos 2 2  sin 2 2  a2
 
r2 r
ds a 2
 
d r
ds
r  a 2 , which is a constant
d
r k2  r2
Example 1.84. For the curve   cos 1    , where k is a constant,
k r
ds
prove that r is constant.
dr
Solution :
r k2  r2
Given,   cos 1               (1)
k r
Differentiating w.r.t ' r '
  1  
r    0  2r    k 2  r 2 1 
d 1 1  2 k2  r2 
    

1 r / k 
2
dr 2 k  r 
 
 
88 ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS - I
  r 2  
 2 2   k  r 
2 2

 r   k  r  
2 2 2
1  k r   1
     
k r
2 2
 r2  k 2  r 2  r 2 k 2  r 2 
 
 
1  k2  r 2  k 2 k2  r2
   
k 2  r2 r2 k 2  r2  r2 k2  r2 r2
d k2  r2
 
dr r2
 d 
2
ds
We have,  1 r2  
dr  dr 
2
ds  k2  r2  k2  r2 r2  k2  r2 k2
  1 r 
2
  1   2
dr  r2  r2 r2 r
 
ds k
 
dr r
ds
r  k , which is a constant
dr

Exercise 1.6

ds ds
1. Find and for the following curves
dx dy
(i ) y  c cosh  x / c  (ii ) x 3  xy 2  6 y 2  0 at  3,3
ds
2. Find for the following curves
dt
(i ) x  a  t  sin t  , y  a 1  cos t  (ii ) x  et sin t , y  et cos t
(iii ) x  a cos t , y  b sin t (iv) x  a cos3 t , y  a sin 3 t
ds ds
3. Find and for the following curves
d dr
(i ) r  a (ii ) r  a (iii ) r  ae cot  (iv) r  a sec 2  / 2 
4. With the usual meanings for r , s, and  for the polar curve r  f   , show that
d 2
2 d r
 r cos ec  2  0
d ds
DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS - 1 89
Answers
5
1. (i ) cosh  x / c  , 1  cos ec h 2  x / c  (ii ) 5,
2
2. (i ) 2a sin  t / 2  (ii) 2 et (iii) a 2 sin 2 t  b 2 cos 2 t (iv) 3a sin t cos t
1 2 1 a2
3. (i ) a 1   2 , r  a 2 (ii ) 2 1  a 2 2 , 1  2 (iii ) r cos ec , sec 
a  r
(iv) r sec  / 2  , cos ec  / 2 

1.13 CURVATURE

Let A be a fixed point and P be any point on the curve C in the XY-plane, such that
arc-length AP = s. Let Q be the neighborhood point of P on the curve C such that arc AQ = s + s.
Then, arc PQ = s

Let  and  +  be the angles made by the tangents to the curve at P and Q with the x-axis.
Then  is the angle between the tangents. Here  depends on s.


 is called the mean curvature of the arc PQ.
s
The amount of bending of the curve at P is called the curvature of the curve at P and is
 d
defined as Lt  and is denoted by  .
 s 0  s ds
d
i.e.,  
ds
The reciprocal of the curvature is called the radius of curvature and is denoted by 
1 ds
i.e.,   
 d

1.14 CURVATURE OF A CIRCLE

90 ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS - I
Y

C
r

r s P
O A B X

Let A be a fixed point and P be any point on the circle with centre ‘C’ and radius ‘r’ such that
arc-length AP = s.

Let  be the angle made by the tangent to the circle at P with the x-axis.

Clearly, ACP  
We know that, the length of the arc s  r
s
 
r
Differentiating w.r.t ' r '
d 1
  which is a constant
ds r
 The curvature of a circle at any point on it is a constant and is equal to the reciprocal
of the radius.

1.15 CURVATURE OF A STRAIGHT LINE

For a straight line, any segment PQ has   0

 d
 0 0
s ds
 The curvature of a straight line at any point is zero.

1.16 RADIUS OF CURVATURE IN DIFFERENT FORMS

The radius of curvature is defined in the following forms:

1. Cartesian form
2. Parametric form
3. Polar form
4. Pedal form

RADIUS OF CURVATURE IN CARTESIAN FORM

DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS - 1 91
Let y  f  x  be the Cartesian equation of the curve C. Let P  x, y  and Q  x   x, y   y 
be the points on the curve C. Let A be a fixed point and P be any point on the curve C, such that
arc-length AP = s. Let  be the angle made by the tangent to the curve at P with the x-axis.

dy
We know that, tan             (1)
dx
Differentiating w.r.t ' s '

 tan    
d d dy
ds ds  dx 
d d 2 y dx
 sec 2
 
ds dx 2 ds
1 d2y
 sec   2  cos 
2

 dx
1 d2y  1 
 sec   2 
2

 dx  sec 
d2y
 sec    2
3

dx
sec 
3

 d2y 
 dx 2 
 
3
  dy  
2

 1   
 
3
1  tan 2    dx  
   by using (1)
 d2y   d2y 
 dx 2   dx 2 
   
92 ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS - I
3/2
  dy  2 
1    
  dx  
  or   
1  y  1
2 3/2

, where y1 
dy d2y
and y2  2
 d2y  y 2 dx dx
 dx 2 
 
This is the radius of curvature in cartesian form

NOTE:

1. Alternate formula for radius of curvature  in cartesian form is

3/2
  dx  2 
1    
  dy  
  or   
1  x 
1
2 3/2

, where x1 
dx d 2x
and x2  2
 d 2x  x
2 dy dy
 dy 2 
 
dy
This formula is used when is  at some point on the curve.
dx
2. If the curve passes the origin and the tangent at the origin is x  axis then
 x2 
  Lt  
 
x 0, y 0 2 y

3. If the curve passes the origin and the tangent at the origin is y  axis then
 y2 
  Lt  
 
x 0, y 0 2 x

RADIUS OF CURVATURE IN PARAMETRIC FORM

Let x  f t  , y  g t  be the parametric equation of the curve C, where t is the parameter.

Let A be a fixed point and P be any point on the curve C, such that arc-length AP = s. Let  be
the angle made by the tangent to the curve at P with the x-axis.
DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS - 1 93
dy dy / dt
We have,                (1)
dx dx / dt
Differentiating w.r.t ' x '
dx  d 2 y  dy  d 2 x 

d2y dt  dt  dt  dt  dt
 2

dx 2  dx  dx
 
 dt 
dx  d 2 y  dy  d 2 x 

d2y dt  dt  dt  dt 
  3
         (2)
dx 2  dx 
 
 dt 

  or   
1  y  1
2 3/2

, where y1 
dy d2y
and y2  2
y 2 dx dx
We have, the radius of curvature in cartesian form is
3/2
  dy  2 
1    
  dx  
          (3)
 d2y 
 dx 2 
 
Using (1) & (2) in (3), we get
  dx / dt 2   dy / dt 2 
3/2 3/2
  dy / dt  2 
1      
 dx / dt 
2
  dx / dt  
 
 
 
 dx  d y  dy  d x    dx  d y  dy  d x  
2 2 2 2

     dt    dt  dt   dt  dt  
 dt  dt  dt       
  dx 
3
   dx 
3

       
  dt     dt  
3/2
 dx  2  dy  2 
     
 dt   dt  
 
dx  d 2 y  dy  d 2 x 

dt  dt  dt  dt 
This is the radius of curvature in parametric form.

RADIUS OF CURVATURE IN POLAR FORM

94 ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS - I
Let r  f   be the Polar equation of the curve C. Let A be a fixed point and P be any point on
the curve C, such that arc-length AP = s. Let  be the angle made by the tangent to the curve at
P with the initial line. Let  be the angle between the radius vector and the tangent.

We have,                    (1)
Differentiating w.r.t ' s '
d d d
 
ds ds ds
d d d
   .
ds d ds
1 d  d 
  1
 ds  d 
ds
 d               (2)
 d 
1  
 d 
d
We have, tan   r
dr
r
 tan  
 dr 
 
 d 
r dr
 tan   where r1 
r1 d
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
d r1  r1   r  r2  r12  r r2
sec 2
 
d r12 r12
DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS - 1 95
d r1  r r2 2
r1  r r2 r1  r r2
2
r rr 2 2
     1 2 22        (3)
d sec  r1
2 2
1  tan   r1 1   r / r1   r1 r1  r
2 2 2 2

2
ds  dr 
And also we have,  r2   
d  d 
ds
  r 2  r12              (4)
d
Using (3) & (4) in (2), we get
r 2  r12 r 2  r12 r 2  r12  r12  r 2 
  
 r12  r r2   r12  r 2  r12  r r2  r 2
 2r12  r r2 
1  2 2   
 r1  r   r12  r 2 
r  r12 
2 3/2
dr d 2r
 where r1  and r2  2
r 2
 2r12  r r2  d d
This is the radius of curvature in Polar form.

RADIUS OF CURVATURE IN PEDAL FORM

Let r  f   be the Polar equation of the curve C. Let A be a fixed point and P be any point
on the curve C, such that arc-length AP = s. Let  be the angle made by the tangent to the
curve at P with the initial line. Let  be the angle between the radius vector and the tangent.

We have,                    (1)
opp OM p
From OPL, sin    
hyp OP r
 p  r sin               (2)
Differentiating w.r.t ' r '
dp d
 r cos   sin         (3)
dr dr
d dr
We know that, sin   r and cos          (4)
ds ds
96 ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS - I
Using (4) in (3), we get
dp  dr  d  d 
 r  r 
dr  ds  dr  ds 
dp  d d  d   d 
 r    r        r   by using (1)
dr  ds ds   ds   ds 
d 1 dp
 
ds r dr
ds dr
 r
d dp
dr
 r
dp
This is the radius of curvature in Pedal form.

List of formulae in the Radius of Curvature

3/2
  dy 2 
1    
Cartesian   dx  
  or   
1  y 
1
2 3/2

, where y1 
dy d2y
and y2  2
 d2y  y
2 dx dx
form  dx 2 
 
3/2
 dx  2  dy  2 
Parametric      
 dt   dt  
  2
dx  d y  dy  d 2 x 

dt  dt  dt  dt 
form

r  r12 
2 3/2
dr d 2r
 where r1  and r2  2
Polar form r 2
 2r12  r r2  d d

dr
 r
Pedal form dp
NOTE:
1. We prefer to use the Cartesian formula itself for finding the radius of curvature  in the
case of parametric curves also as the work will be relatively easy.
2. We prefer to use the Pedal formula itself for finding the radius of curvature  in the case
of Polar curves also as the work will be relatively easy.

WORKED EXAMPLES
DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS - 1 97
 3a 3a 
Example 1.85. Find the radius of curvature of the curve x3  y 3  3axy at the point  , 
 2 2 
Solution :
Given, x3  y 3  3axy            (1)
Differentiating w.r.t ' x '
dy   dy  
3x 2  3 y 2  3a  x    y 1 
dx   dx  
 
dy 2
dx
y  ax   ay  x 2

dy ay  x 2
             (2)
dx y 2  ax
2
 3a   3a 
a   
 dy   2   2   1  y  1
  3 a 3 a   1
 dx  ,   3a 
2
 3a 
 2 2     a 
 2   2 
Differentiating (2) w.r.t ' x '
 dy   dy 
2
d y
y 2
 ax   a  2 x    ay  x 2   2 y  a 1 
 dx   dx 

y  ax 
2
dx 2 2

  3a  2  3a     3a     3a   3a     3a 
2

 
 2    a     a  1   2      a        2    1  a 
 d2y   2     2     2   2     2  
 2   2
 dx  3a , 3a    3a  2  3a  
 2 2      a   
 2   2 
 9a 2 3a 2   3a 2 9a 2 
    a  3a       3a  a 
  4 2   2 4 
2
 9a 2 3a 2 
  
 4 2 
 9a 2 3a 2 
    4a    4a  
8a 8a
 
4 2 32a
   2
 9a 2 3a 2 
2
 9a 3a   9a  6a 
2 2 2 2
3a
       
 4 2   4 2   4 
32
 y2  
3a
98 ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS - I

we have,  
1  y  1
2 3/2

y2


1   1  2 3/2


3a
32 8 2

3a
3a
   radius cannot be negative 
8 2
This is the required radius of curvature.
Example 1.86. Find the radius of curvature of the curve x 2 y  a  x 2  y 2 
at the point  2a, 2a 
Solution :
Given, x 2 y  a  x 2  y 2             (1)
Differentiating w.r.t ' x '
 dy   dy 
x2    y  2 x   a 2 x  2 y 
 dx   dx 

  x 2  2ay   2ax  2 xy
dy
dx
dy 2ax  2 xy
             (2)
dx x 2  2ay
 dy  2a  2a   2  2a  2a  4a 2
    
 dx  2 a ,2 a   2a   2a  2a 
2
0
dx x 2  2ay
Consider,             (3)
dy 2ax  2 xy
 dx 
   0  x1  0
 dy  2 a ,2 a 
Differentiating (3) w.r.t ' y '
   dx   dx   
 2a 1    x 2  2ay   2a  2  x 1  y    
dx
 2ax  2 xy   2 x  dy
d 2x  dy     dy   

 2ax  2 xy 
2
dy 2

 2a  2a   2  2a  2a    0  2a    2a   2a  2a    0  2  2a  1  0

2
 d 2x   
 2  
 2a  2a   2  2a  2a  
2
 dy  2 a ,2 a 
 4a 2  8a 2   2a    4a 2  4a 2   4a   4a 2   2a  8a 3
  
 4a 2  8a 2   4a 2 
2 2
16a 4
DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS - 1 99
1
 x2 
2a
1  x12 
3/2

we have,  
x2
1  0 
3/2

  2 a
1

2a
   2a  radius cannot be negative 
This is the required radius of curvature.
a2  a  x 
Example 1.87. Find the radius of curvature of the curve y 2

x
at the point where the curve cuts the x - axis.
Solution :
a2  a  x 
Given, y 2             (1)
x
It crosses x  axis, at y  0
a2  a  x 
0 ax 0 x a
x
 The point is  a, 0 
Differentiating (1) w.r.t ' x '
dy  x  0  1   a  x 1  dy a 3
2y  a2    
dx  x2  dx 2 yx 2
 dy  a 3
   
 dx  a ,0 0
dx 2 yx 2
Consider,   3            (3)
dy a
 dx 
   0  x1  0
 dy  a ,0
Differentiating (3) w.r.t ' y '
d 2x 2   dx  
2
  3  y  2 x   x 2 1 
dy a   dy  
 d 2x  2 2
 2    3 0  a 2  
 dy  a ,0 a a
2
 x2 
a
100 ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS - I

we have,  
1  x  1
2 3/2

x2
1  0 
3/2
a
 
2 2
a
a
 
2
This is the required radius of curvature.
Example 1.88. Find the radius of curvature of the curve y  a log sec  x / a 
at any point.
Solution :
Given, y  a log sec  x / a             (1)
Differentiating w.r.t ' x '
dy  1 1
 a  sec  x / a  tan  x / a   
dx  sec  x / a  a
dy
  tan  x / a 
dx
Differentiating w.r.t ' x '
d2y 1
2
 sec 2  x / a  
dx a
3/2
  dy  2 
1    
  dx  
we have,   
 d2y 
 2
 dx 
1   tan  x / a  2 
3/2

 
3/2
   sec  x / a 

2 3
sec x / a
  
1 1 1
sec 2  x / a   sec 2  x / a   sec 2  x / a  
a a a
   a sec  x / a  is the required radius of curvature
Example 1.89. Show that the radius of curvature of the curve y  a cosh  x / a 
y2
at any point is
a
Solution :
Given, y  a cosh  x / a             (1)
Differentiating w.r.t ' x '
DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS - 1 101
dy 1
 a sinh  x / a  
dx a
dy
  sinh  x / a 
dx
Differentiating w.r.t ' x '
d2y 1
2
 cosh  x / a  
dx a
3/2
  dy 2 
1    
  dx  
we have,   
 d2y 
 2
 dx 
1   sinh  x / a  2 
3/2

 
3/2
   cosh  x / a 

2 3
cosh x / a
  
1 1 1
cosh  x / a   cosh  x / a   cosh  x / a  
a a a
   a cosh  x / a             (2)
2

y y2
From (1),  cosh  x / a   cosh  x / a   2
2

a a
Using this, (2) becomes
 y2  y2
  a 2     is the required radius of curvature
a  a
2
 2   x  y
2/3 2
ax
Example 1.90. For the curve, y  show that       
ax  a   y x
Solution :
ax
Given, y             (1)
ax
Differentiating w.r.t ' x '
dy  a  x   a 1   ax  0  1 a 2  ax  ax a2
  
a  x a  x a  x
2 2 2
dx
dy a2
             (2)
dx  a  x 2
Differentiating w.r.t ' x '
d2y 2a 2
            (3)
dx 2  a  x 3
102 ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS - I
ax
From (1), a  x 
y
Using this, (2) & (3) becomes
dy a2 y2 d 2 y 2a 2 2 y 3
  and  
dx  ax  2 x 2 dx 2  ax 3 ax3
 y   y 
   
3/2
  dy 2 
1    
  dx  
we have,   
 d2y 
 2
 dx 
3/2
  y 2 2  3/2
1   2    y4 
1  x 4   ax
3
  x  
3/2
ax3  y4 
       1  4 
2 y 3 2 y 3 2 y3  x 
ax3
3/2
2 x3  y4 
  3 1  4 
a y  x 
Squaring on both side
3
 2  x6  y 4 
2

   6 1  4 
 a  y  x 
Taking cube root on both side
 2  x2  y4 
2/3

    1  
 a  y2  x4 
 2 
2/3
x2 y 2
    . This is required result.
 a  y2 x2

Example 1.91. Find the radius of curvature of the curve y  4sin x  sin 2 x at x 
2
Solution :
Given, y  4sin x  sin 2 x            (1)
Differentiating w.r.t ' x '
dy
 4 cos x  2 cos 2 x
dx
Differentiating w.r.t ' x '
d2y
 4sin x  4sin 2 x
dx 2
DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS - 1 103
 dy     
    4 cos    2 cos 2    4  0   2  1  2  y1  2
 dx  x   2 2
2

d y    
2
and  2   4sin    4sin 2    4 1  4  0   4  y2  4
 dx  x   2 2
2

we have, 
1  y  1
2 3/2

y2


1   2  2 3/2


53/2
4 4
5 5
   radius cannot be negative 
4
This is the required radius of curvature.
Example 1.92. Find the radius of curvature of the curve x 2/3  y 2/3  a 2/3
at any point.
Solution :
Given, x 2/3  y 2/3  a 2/3            (1)
Differentiating w.r.t ' x '
2 1/3 2 1/3 dy
x  y 0
3 3 dx
2 dy 2
 y 1/3   x 1/3
3 dx 3
1/3
dy x
   1/3   x 1/3 y1/3
dx y
Differentiating w.r.t ' x '
d2y  1 dy   1 
   x 1/3  y 2/3   y1/3  x 4/3  
3 dx   3 
2
dx 
   x 1/3 y 2/3   x 1/3 y1/3   y1/3 x 4/3 
1
3
1 1 1
   x 2/3 y 1/3  y1/3 x 4/3   x 4/3 y 1/3  x 2/3  y 2/3   x 4/3 y 1/3a 2/3
3 3 3
3/2
  dy 2 
1    
  dx  
we have,   
 d2y 
 2
 dx 
104 ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS - I
3/2 3/2
 y 2/3   x 2/3  y 2/3 
1    x y  
3/2
3 1  2/3 
3 1  x 2/3 y 2/3 
1/3 1/3 2 3
3/2

  x 2/3 
  x  
  4/3 1/3 2/3 
1 4/3 1/3 2/3
x y a x 4/3 y 1/3 a 2/3 x y a x 4/3 y 1/3 a 2/3
3
3/2
 a 2/3 
3  2/3 
x  a
 4/3 1/3 2/3
 3   x 4/3 y1/3 a 2/3  3x 1 4/3 y1/3 a12/3  3a1/3 x1/3 y1/3
x y a x
   3  axy 
1/3
is the required radius of curvature
Example 1.93. Find the radius of curvature of the curve y 2  4ax at any point.
Solution :
Given, y 2  4ax            (1)
Differentiating w.r.t ' x '
dy dy 2a
2y  4a 1  
dx dx y
Differentiating w.r.t ' x '
d2y  1 dy  2a  2a  4a 2
 2 a 
 2       
dx 2  y dx  y2  y  y3
3/2
  dy 2 
1    
  dx  
we have,   
 d2y 
 2
 dx 
3/2
  2a  2  3/2 3/2
1      4a 2   y 2  4a 2 
   y3
y  4a 2   4ax  4a 
3

  y    1  y   2 3/2 2 3/2
y2  y2 
        
4a 2 4a 2 4a 2 4a 2 4a 2
 3
y
 4a   x  a   4a  4a  x  a  2 a  x  a 2x  a
3/2 3/2 3/2 3/2 3/2

   
4a 2 4a 2 a  a
2 x  a
3/2

  is the required radius of curvature

a
DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS - 1 105
Example 1.94. Find the radius of curvature of the curve x  y  a at the
point where it cuts the line y  x
Solution :
Given, x y  a            (1)
Given that, the curve cuts the line y  x
 Equation (1) becomes
a a
x x  a2 x  a x  x
2 4
a a
 The point of intersection is  , 
4 4
Differentiating (1) w.r.t ' x '
1 1 dy
 0
2 x 2 y dx
1 dy 1 dy y
               (2)
2 y dx 2 x dx x
Differentiating (2) w.r.t ' x '
  1 dy   1  x  y y
 x   y      1 y
     
  dx   2 2 x  x y
2
d y
 
2 y  2 x
 
2 y  x  2 x
 
 
 
2
dx 2 x x 2x x
 x 
 


  x y   a
2x x 2x x
 dy   d2y   a 4
   1 and  2  
 dx  a , a   dx  a , a  2  a  a a
4 4 4 4  
4 4
3/2
  dy  2 
1    
  dx  
we have,   
 d2y 
 2
 dx 
3/2
1   12 
  1  1  a   2   a  2 2a  a
3/2 3/2

  

4 4 4 4 2
a
a
  is the required radius of curvature
2
106 ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS - I
Example 1.95. Find the radius of curvature of the curve x  a  t  sin t  , y  a 1  cos t 
at any point t
Solution :
Given, x  a  t  sin t             (1)
Differentiating w.r.t ' t '
dx
 a 1  cos t 
dt
Given, y  a 1  cos t             (2)
Differentiating w.r.t ' t '

 a  0    sin t    a sin t
dy
dt
dy dy / dt
We have, 
dx dx / dt
dy a sin t 2sin  t / 2  cos  t / 2 
    tan  t / 2 
dx a 1  cos t  2 cos 2  t / 2 
Differentiating w.r.t ' x '
d2y 1 dt 1 1 1 1
 sec 2  t / 2     sec 2  t / 2     sec 2  t / 2   
dx 2
2 dx 2 a 1  cos t  2 a  2 cos 2  t / 2  
d2y 1
  sec 4  t / 2 
dx 2 4a
3/2
  dy 2 
1    
  dx  
we have,   
 d2y 
 2
 dx 
1   tan  t / 2  2 
3/2

 
3/2
   4a sec  t / 2  

2 3
4 a sec t / 2
    4a
1
sec 4  t / 2  sec  t / 2 
4
sec  t / 2 
4
sec  t / 2 
4a
   4a cos  t / 2  is the required radius of curvature
Example 1.96. Find the radius of curvature of the curve x  a  cos t  t sin t  , y  a  sin t  t cos t 
at any point t
Solution :
Given, x  a  cos t  t sin t             (1)
Differentiating w.r.t ' t '
dx
 a   sin t  t cos t  sin t   a t cos t
dt
DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS - 1 107
Given, y  a  sin t  t cos t             (2)
Differentiating w.r.t ' t '

 a cos t  t   sin t   cos t 1  a t sin t

dy
dt
dy dy / dt
We have, 
dx dx / dt
dy a t sin t
   tan t
dx a t cos t
Differentiating w.r.t ' x '
d2y dt 1 sec3 t
 sec 2
t   sec 2
t  
dx 2 dx at cos t at
2 3
d y sec t
 2 
dx at
3/2
  dy 2 
1    
  dx  
we have,   
 d2y 
 2
 dx 
3/2
1   tan t 2  at sec 2 t 
3/2
a t sec3  t / 2 
     at
 sec t 
3
sec3 t sec3  t / 2 
 
 at 
   at is the required radius of curvature

Example 1.97. Find the radius of curvature of the curve x  a cos3 t , y  a sin 3 t at t 
4
Solution :
Given, x  a cos3 t            (1)
Differentiating w.r.t ' t '

 a  3cos 2 t   sin t   3a cos 2 t sin t

dx
dt
Given, y  a sin 3 t            (2)
Differentiating w.r.t ' t '

 a  3sin 2 t  cos t   3a sin 2 t cos t

dy
dt
dy dy / dt
We have, 
dx dx / dt
dy 3a sin 2 t cos t sin t
     tan t
dx 3a cos t sin t
2
cos t
Differentiating w.r.t ' x '
108 ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS - I
2 4
d y dt 1 sec t cos ect
  sec 2 t    sec 2 t  
dx 2
dx 3a cos t sin t
2
3a
   
sec 4   cos ec  
 dy  
2
d y 4 44 2
At t  ,   tan    1 and 
4
2
4 dx dx 3a 3a
3/2
  dy 2 
1    
  dx  
we have,   
 d2y 
 2
 dx 

 
3/2
1   12  3a  2 
3/2
3a 2 2
     
3a
4 2 4 2 4 2 2
3a
3a
  is the required radius of curvature
2
 t
Example 1.98. Find the radius of curvature of the curve x  a  cos t  log tan  , y  a sin t
 2
at any point t
Solution :
 t
Given, x  a  cos t  log tan             (1)
 2
Differentiating w.r.t ' t '
dx  1 1  cos t / 2 1 1
 a   sin t   sec 2  t / 2     a   sin t    
dt  tan t / 2 2  sin t / 2 cos 2  t / 2  2 
 1   1    sin 2 t  1   cos 2 t 
 a   sin t    a   sin t    a    a  
 2sin  t / 2  cos  t / 2    sin t   sin t   sin t 
Given, y  a sin t            (2)
Differentiating w.r.t ' t '
dy
 a  cos t 
dt
dy dy / dt
We have, 
dx dx / dt
dy a cos t sin t
    tan t
dx  cos 2 t  cos t
a 
 sin t 
Differentiating w.r.t ' x '
DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS - 1 109
2 4
d y dt 1 sec t sin t
 sec 2 t   sec 2 t  
dx 2
dx  cos t 
2
a
a 
 sin t 
3/2
  dy  2 
1    
  dx  
we have,   
 d2y 
 2
 dx 
3/2
1   tan t 2  a sec 2 t 
3/2
  a sec3 t a
 4
 4
 4
  a cot t
sec t sin t sec t sin t sec t sin t sec t sin t
a
   a cot t is the required radius of curvature
Example 1.99. Find the radius of curvature of the curve 2ap 2  r 3
Solution :
Given, 2ap 2  r 3            (1)
Differentiating w.r.t ' r '
 dp 
2a  2 p   3r 2
 dr 
dp 3r 2
 
dr 4ap
dr
We have,   r
dp
 4ap  4ap
   r 2              (2)
 3r  3r
r3 r3
From (1), p 2   p
2a 2a
Using this, (2) becomes
4a r 3 4a r r
 
3r 2a 3r 2a
2 2a r
  is the required radius of curvature
3
Example 1.100. Find the radius of curvature of the curve p 2  ar
Solution :
Given, p 2  ar            (1)
Differentiating w.r.t ' r '
110 ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS - I
dp
2p  a 1
dr
dp a
 
dr 2 p
dr
We have,   r
dp
 2 p  2 pr
   r             (2)
 a  a
From (1), p 2  ar  p  ar
Using this, (2) becomes
2r ar 2 r 3/2
 
a a
3/2
2r
  is the required radius of curvature
a
Example 1.101. Find the radius of curvature of the curve r  a 1  cos  
Solution :
Given, r  a 1  cos              (1)
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
dr
 a sin   r1   a sin 
d
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
d 2r
 a cos   r2   a cos 
d 2
Now, r 2  r12  a 2 1  cos     a sin    a 2 1  cos 2   2 cos   sin 2    2a 2 1  cos  
2 2

r 2  2r12  rr2  a 2 1  cos    2  a sin    a 1  cos   a cos  

2 2

 a 2 1  cos 2   2 cos   2sin 2   cos   cos 2    3a 2 1  cos  

r  r12 
2 3/2

We have,  
r 2
 2r12  r r2 

 2a 2 1  cos   
3/2
2 2a 3 1  cos   1  cos  2 2a 2 cos 2  / 2 4a cos  / 2
    
3a 2 1  cos   3a 2 1  cos   3 3
r r
From (1), 1  cos    2 cos 2  / 2   cos  / 2  r / 2a
a a

 
4a cos  / 2 4a

 r / 2a 2 2a r
. This is the required radius of curvature
3 3 3
DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS - 1 111
Alternate Method
Given, r  a 1  cos              (1)
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
dr
 a sin 
d
d
We have, tan   r
dr
d  1  1  cos  2 cos 2  / 2 
 tan   r  a 1  cos        cot  / 2 
dr  a sin    sin  2sin  / 2  cos  / 2 
  
 tan   tan   
 2 2
 
  
2 2
We have, p  r sin 
    
 p  r sin     r cos  
 2 2 2
p  
  cos              (2)
r 2
From (1), r  a 1  cos    a  2 cos 2  / 2 

  r   r
 cos 2     cos           (3)
 2  2a 2 2a
By using (3) in (2), we get
p r

r 2a
Squaring on both sides
p2 r
2

r 2a
 2ap 2  r 3            (4)
Differentiating w.r.t ' r '
 dp 
2a  2 p   3r 2
 dr 
dp 3r 2
 
dr 4ap
dr
We have,   r
dp
 4ap  4ap
   r 2              (5)
 3r  3r
112 ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS - I
r3 r3
From (4), p 2   p
2a 2a
Using this, (5) becomes
4 a r 3 4a r r
 
3r 2a 3r 2a
2 2a r
  is the required radius of curvature
3
Example 1.102. Find the radius of curvature of the curve r  a 1  cos  
Solution :
Given, r  a 1  cos              (1)
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
dr
 a sin 
d
d
We have, tan   r
dr
d  1  1  cos  2sin 2  / 2 
 tan   r  a 1  cos       tan  / 2 
dr  a sin   sin  2sin  / 2  cos  / 2 

 
2
We have, p  r sin 
 
 p  r sin  
2
p  
  sin              (2)
r 2
From (1), r  a 1  cos    a  2sin 2  / 2 

  r   r
 sin 2     sin           (3)
 2  2a 2 2a
By using (3) in (2), we get
p r

r 2a
Squaring on both sides
p2 r
2

r 2a
 2ap 2  r 3            (4)
Differentiating w.r.t ' r '
 dp 
2a  2 p   3r 2
 dr 
DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS - 1 113
2
dp 3r
 
dr 4ap
dr
We have,   r
dp
 4ap  4ap
   r 2              (5)
 3r  3r
r3 r3
From (4), p 2   p
2a 2a
Using this, (5) becomes
4a r 3 4a r r
 
3r 2a 3r 2a
2 2a r
 is the required radius of curvature
3
Example 1.103. Find the radius of curvature of the curve r 2  a 2 sec 2
Solution :
Given, r 2  a 2 sec 2            (1)
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
dr dr a 2 sec 2 tan 2 r 2 tan 2
2r  a  2sec 2 tan 2  
2
   r tan 2
d d r r
d
We have, tan   r
dr
d  1   
 tan   r  r   cot 2  tan   2 
dr  r tan 2  2 

   2 .  is expressed interms of  explicitly 
2
We have, p  r sin 
 
 p  r sin   2 
2 
p
  cos 2            (2)
r
From (1), r 2  a 2 sec 2
r2 a2
 2  sec 2  cos 2  2        (3)
a r
By using (3) in (2), we get
p a2

r r2
 pr  a 2            (4)
Differentiating w.r.t ' r '
114 ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS - I
dp
p 1  r 0
dr
dp dp p
r  p  
dr dr r
dr
We have,   r
dp
 r r2
   r               (5)
 p p
a2
From (4), pr  a  p 
2

r
Using this, (5) becomes
r2 r3
  2 
 a / r  a2
r3
   2 is the required radius of curvature
a
Example 1.104. Find the radius of curvatu re of the curve r 2 sec 2  a 2
Solution :
Given, r 2 sec 2  a 2
 r 2  a 2 cos 2            (1)
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
dr dr a 2 sin 2
2r  a 2  2sin 2   
d d r
d
We have, tan   r
dr
d  r  r2 a 2 cos 2  
 tan   r  r 2        cot 2  tan   2 
 a sin 2  a sin 2 a sin 2 2 
2 2
dr

   2 .  is expressed interms of  explicitly 
2
We have, p  r sin 
 
 p  r sin   2 
2 
p
  cos 2        (2)
r
From (1), r 2  a 2 cos 2
r2
 cos 2  2        (3)
a
By using (3) in (2), we get
DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS - 1 115
2
p r

r a2
 a 2 p  r 3          (4)
Differentiating w.r.t ' r '
dp
a2  3r 2
dr
dp 3r 2
  2
dr a
dr
We have,   r
dp
 a2  a2
   r 2  
 3r  3r
a2
  is the required radius of curvature
3r
Example 1.105. Find the radius of curvature of the curve r  a cos ec 2  / 2 
Solution :
Given, r  a cos ec 2  / 2             (1)
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
dr  1 dr
 a  2 cos ec  / 2    cos ec  / 2  cot  / 2       a cos ec 2  / 2  cot  / 2 
d  2  d
dr
   r cot  / 2 
d
d
We have, tan   r
dr
d  1 
 tan   r  r     tan  / 2   tan   / 2 
dr   r cot  / 2  

  
2
We have, p  r sin 
 
 p  r sin   
 2
p  
   sin              (2)
r 2
r
From (1), r  a cos ec 2  / 2   cos ec 2  / 2  
a
r
 cos ec  / 2  
a
116 ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS - I
a
 sin  / 2            (3)
r
By using (3) in (2), we get
p a

r r
Squaring on both sides
p2 a

r2 r
 p 2  ar          (4)
Differentiating w.r.t ' r '
dp
2p  a 1
dr
dp a
 
dr 2 p
dr
We have,   r
dp
 2 p  2 pr
   r             (5)
 a  a
From (4), p 2  ar  p  ar
Using this, (5) becomes
2r ar 2 r 3/2
 
a a
3/2
2r
  is the required radius of curvature
a
Example 1.106. Find the radius of curvature of the curve r 1  cos    2a
Solution :
Given, r 1  cos    2a            (1)
Differentiating w.r.t ' '

r  0    sin     1  cos  
dr
0
d
dr
 1  cos     r sin 
d
dr r sin 
 
d 1  cos  
d
We have, tan   r
dr
DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS - 1 117
d  1  cos    1  cos  2sin  / 2 
2
 tan   r  r     tan  / 2 
dr  r sin    sin  2sin  / 2  cos  / 2 

  
2
We have, p  r sin 
 
 p  r sin   
 2
p  
   sin              (2)
r 2
From (1), r 1  cos    2a
 r  2sin 2  / 2    2a

  a   a
 sin 2     sin           (3)
2 r 2 r
By using (3) in (2), we get
p a

r r
Squaring on both sides
p2 a

r2 r
 p 2  ar          (4)
Differentiating w.r.t ' r '
dp
2p  a 1
dr
dp a
 
dr 2 p
dr
We have,   r
dp
 2 p  2 pr
   r             (5)
 a  a
From (4), p 2  ar  p  ar
Using this, (5) becomes
2r ar 2 r 3/2
 
a a
3/2
2r
  is the required radius of curvature
a
118 ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS - I
Example 1.107. Find the radius of curvature of the curve r n  a n cos n
Solution :
Given, r n  a n cos n            (1)
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
dr dr a n sin n
nr n 1  a n  n sin n   
d d r n 1
d
We have, tan   r
dr
d  r n 1  rn a n cos n  
 tan   r  r n        cot n  tan   n 
 a sin n  a sin n a sin n 2 
n n
dr

   n .  is expressed interms of  explicitly 
2
We have, p  r sin 
 
 p  r sin   n 
2 
p
  cos n            (2)
r
From (1), r n  a n cos n
rn
 cos n         (3)
an
By using (3) in (2), we get
p rn

r an
 a n p  r n 1          (4)
Differentiating w.r.t ' r '
dp
an   n  1 r n
dr
dp  n  1 r
n
 
dr an
dr
We have,   r
dp
 an  an
   r  
n 
  n  1 r   n  1 r
n 1

an
  is the required radius of curvature
 n  1 r n1
DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS - 1 119
 2
Example 1.108. For the curve r  a 1  cos   , show that is a constant
r
Solution :
Given, r  a 1  cos              (1)
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
dr
 a sin 
d
d
We have, tan   r
dr
d  1  1  cos  2sin 2  / 2 
 tan   r  a 1  cos        tan  / 2 
dr  a sin   sin  2sin  / 2  cos  / 2 

 
2
We have, p  r sin 
 
 p  r sin  
2
p  
  sin              (2)
r 2
From (1), r  a 1  cos    a  2sin 2  / 2 

  r   r
 sin 2     sin           (3)
 2  2a 2 2a
By using (3) in (2), we get
p r

r 2a
Squaring on both sides
p2 r
2

r 2a
 2ap 2  r 3            (4)
Differentiating w.r.t ' r '
 dp 
2a  2 p   3r 2
 dr 
dp 3r 2
 
dr 4ap
dr
We have,   r
dp
120 ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS - I
 4ap  4ap
   r 2              (5)
 3r  3r
r3 r3
From (4), p 2   p
2a 2a
Using this, (5) becomes
4a r 3 4a r r 2 2a r
  
3r 2a 3r 2a 3
8ar
 2 
9
 2
8a
  which is a constant
r 9
2a
Example 1.109. Find the radius of curvature of the curve  1  cos 
r
Solution :
2a
Given,  1  cos           (1)
r
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
2a dr dr r 2 sin 
 0    sin     sin   
r 2 d d 2a
d
We have, tan   r
dr
d  2a  2a 1  cos  2 cos 2  / 2 
 tan   r  r 2      cot  / 2 
dr  r sin   r sin  sin  2sin  / 2  cos  / 2 
  
 tan   tan   
 2 2
 
    is expressed interms of  explicitly 
2 2
We have, p  r sin 
  
 p  r sin   
 2 2
p 
  cos            (2)
r 2
2a
From (1),  1  cos 
r
2a
  2 cos 2  / 2
r
 a
 cos           (3)
2 r
DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS - 1 121
By using (3) in (2), we get
p a

r r
Squaring on both side
p2 a

r2 r
 p 2  ar          (4)
Differentiating w.r.t ' r '
dp
2p  a 1
dr
dp a
 
dr 2 p
dr
We have,   r
dp
 2 p  2 pr
   r             (5)
 a  a
From (4), p 2  ar  p  ar
Using this, (5) becomes
2r ar 2 r 3/2
 
a a
3/2
2r
  is the required radius of curvature
a
Example 1.110. Find the radius of curvature of the curve r  a sec 2
Solution :
Given, r  a sec 2          (1)
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
dr dr
 a  2sec 2 tan 2    2r tan 2
d d
d
We have, tan   r
dr
d  1  1
 tan   r  r 
dr  2r tan 2  2 tan 2
 1 
   tan 1  
 2 tan 2 
2
1 1 1  dr 
We have,  2  4 
p 2
r r  d 
122 ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS - I
1 1 1
  2  4  2r tan 2 
2
2
p r r

 2  4  4r 2 tan 2 2 
1 1
r r

 2  2  sec2 2  1            (2)
1 4
r r
r
From (1), r  a sec 2  sec 2 
a
2
r
 sec2 2  2             (3)
a
Using (3) in (2), we get
1 1 4  r2  1 4 4
2
 2
 2  2
 1  2  2  2
p r r a  r a r
1 4 3
 2  2  2
p a r
Differentiating w.r.t ' r '
2 dp  2 
  0  3 3 
r 
3
p dr
dp 3 p3
  3
dr r
dr
We have,   r
dp
 r3  r4
   r 3 
 3  discarding the negative sign 
 3 p  3 p
r4
   3 is the required radius of curvature
3p
Example 1.111. If 1 and  2 are the radii of curvature at the extremities of any chord of the
16a 2
cardioid r  a 1  cos   which passes through the pole, show that 12   2 2 
9
Solution :
Given, r  a 1  cos              (1)
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
dr
 a sin   r1  a sin 
d
Differentiating w.r.t ' '
d 2r
 a cos   r2  a cos 
d 2
DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS - 1 123
Now, r 2  r12  a 2 1  cos     a sin    a 2 1  cos 2   2 cos   sin 2    2a 2 1  cos  
2 2

r 2  2r12  rr2  a 2 1  cos    2  a sin    a 1  cos   a cos  

2 2

 a 2 1  cos 2   2 cos   2sin 2   cos   cos 2    3a 2 1  cos  

r  r12 
2 3/2

We have,  
r 2
 2r12  r r2 

 2a 2 1  cos   
3/2
2 2a 3 1  cos   1  cos  2 2a 2 cos 2  / 2 4a cos  / 2
    
3a 2 1  cos   3a 2 1  cos   3 3
Let 1 and  2 are the radii of curvature at the extremities of any chord of the cardioid
corresponding to the angles  and    respectively.
 the polar angles of the end points of chord always differ by 1800 
4a cos  / 2
Then, 1   at  r ,   and
3
4a cos     / 2 4a sin  / 2
 2   at  r ,      
3 3
16a cos  / 2
2 2
16a sin  / 2
2 2
Now, 12  and 12 
9 9
16a cos  / 2 16a sin  / 2 16a 2
2 2 2 2
16a 2
 1   2 
2 2

9

9

9
 cos  / 2  sin  / 2   9
2 2

This proves the required result

r 2  a2 a
Example 1.112. Show that the radius of curvature for the curve    cos 1  
a r
at any point is r 2  a2

Solution :
r 2  a2 a
Given,    cos 1              (1)
a r
Differentiating w.r.t ' r '
d 1  1  1 a
   2r    2
dr a  2 r 2  a 2  1 a / r  r
2

r a r 2  a2 r 2  a2
   
a r 2  a2 r r 2  a2 ar r 2  a 2 ar
dr ar
 
d r 2  a2
124 ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS - I
2
1 1 1  dr 
We have,  2  4 
p 2
r r  d 
2
1 1 1  ar  1 1  a2r 2  1 1  a2  r 2  a2  a2 r2
 2  2  4           
p r r  r 2  a2  r 2 r 4  r 2  a2  r 2 r 2  r 2  a2  r 2  r 2  a2  r 2  r 2  a2 
1 1
  2
p 2
r  a2
 p2  r 2  a2
Differentiating w.r.t ' r '
dp
2p  2r  0
dr
dp r
 
dr p
dr
We have,   r
dp
 p
   r    p  r 2  a2
r
   r 2  a 2 is the required radius of curvature

Exercise 1.7

1. Show that the radius of curvature for the curve y 2  x3  8 at the point  2,0  is 6
5 10a
2. Show that the radius of curvature for the curve xy 3  a 4 at the point  a, a  is
6
3
r
3. Show that the radius of curvature for the curve xy  c 2 at the point  x, y  is
2c 2
x2 y 2
4. In the ellipse 2  2  1, Show that the radius of curvature at an end point of the
a b
axis is equal to the semi-latus rectum.
x  4a 2 
2 3/2

5. Show that the radius of curvature for the curve x 2  4ay at the point  x, y  is
4a 2
DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS - 1 125
6. Show that the radius of curvature for the curve x / a  y / b  1 at the point  x, y 
is 2  ax  by 
3/2
/ ab
a
7. Show that the radius of curvature for the curve x 3  y 3  2a 3 at the point  a, a  is
2
3a
8. Show that the radius of curvature for the curve xy 2  a 3  x 3 at the point  a,0  is
2
9. Show that the radius of curvature for the curve a y  x  a at the point where it crosses
2 3 3

5 10 a
x  axis is
3
10. Show that the radius of curvature for the curve x  at 2 , y  2at at the any point t is
2a 1  t 2 
3/2

11.Show that the radius of curvature for the curve x  a  t  sin t  , y  a 1  cos t  at the
any point t is 4a sin  t / 2 
12.Show that the radius of curvature for the curve x  a log  sec t  tan t  , y  a sec t at the
any point t is a sec 2 t
a2
13. Show that the radius of curvature for the curve pa  r at the any point is
2 3

3r
3
r
14. Show that the radius of curvature for the curve pr  a 2 at the any point is 2
a
 r 2  a2 
3/2
r4
15.Show that the radius of curvature for the curve p  2
2
at the any point is 2
r  a2 r  2a 2
2
16. For the curve r  a 1  cos   , show that is a constant.
r
2a 2 r 3/2
17. Show that the radius of curvature for the curve  1  cos  at the any point is
r a

18. For the curve r  ae cot  , show that is a constant.
r
na
19. Show that the radius of curvature for the curve r  a sin n at the pole is .
2
r 2  a2 a
20. Show that the radius of curvature for the curve    cos 1   at any point
a r
is r 2  a2