Compute the curvature and the principal unit normal of the elliptical helix described by the equations:
x=cost, y=2sint, z=t

Question

Compute the curvature and the principal unit normal of the elliptical helix described by the equations:
x=cost, y=2sint, z=t

anonymous · Answer

i differentiated each component and got:

x'=-sint, y'=2cost, and z=1

anonymous · Answer

i belive that should be my v(t), now i need to find the magniutude so i computed:
$$\sqrt{\sin^2t+4cost+1}$$

anonymous · Answer

how do i go about simplifying that

anonymous · Answer

im sorry, it should be 4cos^2(t)

dumbcow · Answer

not sure you can really simplify that

cos^2  = 1-sin^2

anonymous · Answer

is the right process i am doing, to compute the k, curvature

dumbcow · Answer

or sin^2 = 1-cos^2

i believe so but i would have to look it up , i don't work with these very often
sorry

anonymous · Answer

alright

dumbcow · Answer

is the curvature pretty much finding the gradient

anonymous · Answer

i belive it is v/magnitude of v

dumbcow · Answer