MISRIMAL NAVAJEE MUNOTH JAIN ENGINEERING

COLLEGE, CHENNAI - 97
DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS
MATHEMATICS (MA2111)
FOR
FIRST SEMESTER ENGINEERING STUDENTS
ANNA UNIVERSITY SYLLABUS
This text contains some of the most important short answer (Part A) and long
answer (Part B) questions and their answers. Each unit contains 30 university
questions. Thus, a total of 150 questions and their solutions are given. A student
who studies these model problems will be able to get pass mark (hopefully!!).
Prepared by the faculty of Department of Mathematics
SEPTEMBER, 2010
www.engg-maths.com
Differential Calculus
2
UNIT III DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS
SHORT ANSWER
Problem 1: Write down the formula for radius of curvature in terms of parametric
coordinates system.
Solution: Let ( ) ( ) x f t and y g t = = be the parametric equations of the given curve.
Then the radius of curvature
3/ 2
2 2
' '
' '' '' '
f g
f g f g

( +

=

.
Problem 2: Find the radius of curvature of the curve given by
3 2cos , 4 2sin x y u u = + = +
Solution: Given: 3 2cos , 4 2sin x y u u = + = +
Formula :
3/ 2
2 2
' '
' " " '
x y
x y x y

( +

=

2 2 2 2 2 2
3 2cos 4 2sin
' 2sin ' 2cos
" 2cos " 2sin
' ' 4sin 4cos 4 sin cos 4
x y
x y
x y
x y
u u
u u
u u
u u u u
= + = +
= =
= =
( + = + = + =

( )
( ) ( )
2 2 2 2
3/ 2
3/ 2 1 1/ 2
' '' " ' 4sin 4cos 4 sin cos 4
4
4 4 2
4
x y x y u u u u

( = + = + =

= = = =
Problem 3: Find the envelope of the curve
a
y mx
m
= + where m is a parameter.
Solution: Given:
a
y mx
m
= + (1)
2
2
0
ym m x a
m x ym a
= +
+ =
This is a quadratic in m
So the envelope is given by
2
4 0 B AC =
Here , , A x B y C a = = =
2 2
2
4 4 0
. ., 4
B AC y xa
i e y ax
= =
=
.
Problem 4: Find the envelope of cos sin x y p o o + = where o is the parameter.
Differential Calculus
3
Solution: Given, x cos o +y sin o = p (1)
Differentiating w.r.t. o
-x sin o +y cos o =0 (2)
Eliminate o between (1) & (2)
Square and add,
( ) ( )
( ) ( )
2 2
2 2
2 2 2 2
2 2 2 2 2
2 2 2 2 2 2 2
2 2 2
cos sin sin cos 0
cos sin 2 sin cos
sin cos 2 sin cos
cos sin sin cos
x y x y p
x y xy
x y xy p
x y p
x y p
o o o o
o o o o
o o o o
o o o o
+ + + = +
+ +
+ + =
+ + + =
+ =
Problem 5: Find the envelope of the family given by
1
, x my m
m
= + being the parameter.
Solution: Given
1
, x my m
m
= +
2
2
1
1 0
xm m y
m y xm
= +
+ =
This is a quadratic equation in m
So the envelope is
2
4 0 B AC =
Here , , 1 A y B x C = = =
( ) ( )( )
2
2
2
4 1 0
. ., 4 0
4
x y
i e x y
x y
= =
=
=
Problem 6: Find the radius of curvature at any point of cosh
x
y c
c
| |
=
|
\ .
Solution: cosh
x
y
c
| |
=
|
\ .
(1)
( )
1
2
3/ 2
2
1
2
3/ 2 3/ 2
2 2
1
csinh sinh
1 1
cosh cosh
1
1 sinh cosh
1
cos cosh
x x
y
c c c
x x
y
c c c c
y
y
x x
c c
c
x x
c c c

| || | | |
= =
| | |
\ .\ . \ .
( | | | | | |
= =
| | | (
\ . \ . \ .
+
=
( ( | | | |
+
| |
( (
\ . \ .
= =
| |
|
\ .
Differential Calculus
4
( )
2
2
2
2
2
cosh
cosh
cosh
by 1
x
x c
c c
x c
c
y
c
c
y
c
| |
|
| |
\ .
= =
|
| |
\ .
|
\ .
(
=
(

=
At ( )
2
0,
c
c c
c
= =
Problem 7: Find the radius of curvature of curve y=e
x
at (0.1)
Solution:
y = e
x
At(0,1)
y
1
= e
x
e
0
= 1
y
2
= e
x
e
0
= 1
( ) ( )
3/ 2
3/ 2 2
1
2
1
1 1
2 2
1
y
y

+
+
= = = .
Problem 8: Find the radius of curvature at any point on the curve r e
u
=
Solution: Formula
3/ 2
2 2
2 2
'
" 2 '
r r
r rr r

( +

=
+
Given: r e
u
= Then ' r e
u
=
( ) ( )
( ) ( )
( )
( ) ( ) ( )
( )
( )
( )
3/ 2
2 2
2 2
3/ 2
2
3
3/ 2
2 2 2 2
3
1
2
"
2
2
2
2 2
2 2 2
r e
e e
e e e e
e
e
e e e e
e e r
u
u u
u u u u
u
u
u u u u
u u

=
(
+
(

=
+
(
(

= =
+
= = =
Problem 9: Find the curvature of the curve
2 2
2 2 5 2 1 0 x y x y + + + =
Solution: Given: ( )
2 2
, 2 2 5 2 1 0 f x y x y x y = + + + =
Differential Calculus
5
( )
( ) ( )
( ) ( )
( ) ( )
( ) ( )
( ) ( )
3/ 2
2 2
2 2
2 3/ 2
2 2
3/ 2
2 2
2 2
1/ 2
2 2
4 5 4 2
0 4 4
2
4 5 4 2
4 4 2 0 4 4 5
4 5 4 2
4 4 5 4 2
1
4 5 4 2
4
x y
xy xx yy
x y
xx y xy x y yy x
f x f y
f f f
f f
f f f f f f f
x y
y x
x y
x y
x y

= + =
= = =
+
=
+
(
+ +

=
+ +
(
+ +

=
(
+ +

(
= + +

Curvature
( ) ( )
( )
2 2
1 4 4
at 0, 0
29
4 5 4 2 x y

= = =
+ +
Problem 10: Define evolute and involute.
Solution: The locus of the centre of curvature of the given curve is called the evolute of
the curve. The given curve is called the involute of its evolute
Problem 11: Find the envelope of the family 1- x
2
+ (y - k)
2
= 0, where k is a parameter.
Solution: Given 1- x
2
+ (y - k)
2
= 0 (1)
Differentiating (1) partially w.r. to k, we get
( )( )
( )
2 1 0
0
...... 2
y k
y k
k y
=
=
=
Substituting (2) in (1), we get
2
1 0 x =
i.e.,
2
1 x = , which is the envelope of the given curve.
Problem 12: Find the envelope of the family of lines 2 ,
x
yt c t
t
+ = being the parameter.
Solution: Given family of lines can be written as
2
2 0 yt ct x + = (1)
The envelope of
2 2
0 is 4 0 At Bt C B AC + + = = (2)
From (1) we get , 2 , A y B c C x = = =
Putting these values in (2) we get
Differential Calculus
6
( ) ( ) ( )
2
2
2 4 0
4 4 0
c y x
c xy
=
=
2 2
0 . ., c xy i e xy c = = , which is the required envelope.
Problem 13: Find the envelope of the family of lines cos sin 1,
x y
a b
u u u + = being the
parameter.
Solution: Given: cos sin 1
x y
a b
u u + = (1)
Diff. partially (1) w.r.to u we get
sin cos 0
x y
a b
u u + = (2)
( ) ( )
2 2
1 2 +
2 2
2 2
2 2
2 2
2 2
2 2
2 2
2 2
2 2
2 2 2 2
2 2
2 2
2 2
2 2
cos sin sin cos 1 0
2
cos sin cos sin 1
2
sin cos cos sin 1
cos sin cos sin 1
1 cos sin 1
x y x y
a b a b
x y xy
a b ab
x y xy
a b ab
x y
a b
x y
a b
u u u u
u u u u
u u u u
u u u u
u u
| | | |
+ + + = +
| |
\ . \ .
+ + =
+ + =
( ( + + + =

( + = + =

Problem 14: Find the radius of curvature at any point P ( ) cos , sin a b u u on the
ellipse
2 2
2 2
1
x y
a b
+ = . Show that the eccentricity of the ellipse is
1
2
, if the centre of
curvature at one end of the minor axis lies at the other end.
Solution:
( ) ( )
2
2
2
2
3/ 2
2 2
cos , sin
' sin ' cos
" cos
" sin
' '
' " ' "
x a y b
dx dy
x a y b
d d
d x
d y
x a
y b
d
d
x y
x y y x
u u
u u
u u
u
u
u
u

= =
= = = =
= =
= =
(
+

=

Differential Calculus
7
( )
( ) ( ) ( )( )
( ) ( )
3/ 2
2 2 2 2
3/ 2 3/ 2
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
2 2
sin cos
sin sin cos cos
sin cos sin cos
sin cos
a b
a b b a
a b a b
ab ab ab
u u
u u u u
u u u u
u u
+
=

+ +
= =
+
Given that
2
t
u =
( ) ( )
2
2 2
2 2 2 2 2
2
2
2
2 1 1
1 1
. .,
2 2
a
b
b
a b
a e b a e
e i e e
= =
=
(
= =

= =

Problem 15: Find the envelope of 1

x y
a b
+ = where the parameters a and b are related by
ab = c
2
, c is known.
Solution:
2
c
b
a
= . Hence the straight line becomes,
2
1
x ay
a c
+ =
i.e.,
2 2 2
c x a y ac + =
i.e.,
2 2 2
0 a y ac c x + = which is a quadratic in a.
Hence the envelope is B
2
4AC = 0.
i.e.,
( )
2
2 2
4 ( ) 0 c y c x = i.e.,
2
4xy c =
LONG ANSWER
Problem 16: Find the radius of curvature at the point
3 cos cos3 and 3 sin sin3 . on x a a y a a u u u u u = =
Solution: Given ( ) ( ) , x f y f u u = = Then
dy
dy
d
dx
dx
d
u
u
= ,
3 sin 3 sin3 , 3 cos 3 cos3
3 cos 3 cos3
3 sin 3 sin3
cos3 cos
sin3 sin
2sin 2 .sin
tan 2
2cos 2 .sin
dx dy
a a a a
d d
dy a a
dx a a
u u u u
u u
u u
u u
u u
u u
u u
u
u u
= + =

=
+
(
=
(

= =
Differential Calculus
8
( )
2
2
2
2
2sec 2 .
1
2sec 2 .
3 sin3 sin
d y d
dx dx
a
u
u
u
u u
=
=

2
3
2 sec 2
.
3 2cos 2 sin
1
3 cos 2 sin
a
a
u
u u
u u
=
=
Radius of curvature
3
2
2 2
2
1 /
dy d y
dx dx

(
| |
= +
(
|
\ .
(

( )
3
2 3 3 3
2
1 tan 2 3 cos 2 sin sec 2 .3 cos 2 sin
3 sin
a a
a
u u u u u u
u
= + =
=
Problem 17: Show that the circle of curvature of at ,
4 4
a a
x y a
| |
+ =
|
\ .
is
2 2
2
3 3
.
4 4 2
a a a
x y
| | | |
+ =
| |
\ . \ .
Solution: Give x y a + =
Diff.w.r.to x, we get
1 1
. 0
2 2
dy
dx x y
+ =
y dy
dx x

= (1)
1
,
,
4 4
4 4
4
1
4
a a
a a
a
dy
y
dx a
| |
| |
|
|
\ .
\ .
= = =
Differentiate (1) write to x,
1
2
2
1 1
. . .
2 2
x y y
y x d y
dx x
(

(
(
=
(
(

( )
2
2 2
,
,
4 4
4 4
1 1
. . 1 .
4 4
2 2
4 4
4
a a
a a
a a
a a
d y
y
a
dx
| |
| |
|
|
\ .
\ .
(

(
(
(
= =
(
(
(
(

Differential Calculus
9
2
,
4 4
1 1
2 2
4
4
a a
a
y
a
| |
|
\ .
(

(

=
=
The radius of curvature is
( )
( )
3
3
2
2
2
2
1
2
1 1
1
at ,
4
4 4
2 2
4
y
a a
y
a
a

(
+
+
| |

= =
|
\ .
=
( )
( )
2 1
1
2
2
2
1
3
2
4 4 4
a
y
X x y
y
a a a
X
=
= +
= + =
( )
( )
( )
( )
2
1
2
2
1
1
1 2
1 1 ..... 2
4 4 4 4
3
4
Y y y
y
a a a
a
a
Y
= + +
= + + = +
| |
|
\ .
=
Circle of curvature is
( ) ( )
2 2
2
x X y Y + =
i.e.,
2 2
2
3 3
4 4 2
a a a
x y
| | | |
+ =
| |
\ . \ .
Problem 18: In the curve 1
x y
a b
+ = , show that the radius of curvature at the point
( ) , x y varies as ( )
3
2
ax by +
Solution: Given
1 1
2 2
1
x y
a b
| | | |
+ =
| |
\ . \ .
. . 1
x y
i e
a b
+ =
b x a y ab + = (1)
Differential Calculus
10
Differentiating (1) with respect to x;
2
2
1 1
. . . 0
2 2
1 1
. . .
2 2
1 1
. . .
2 2
dy
b a
dx x y
dy by
dx ax
dy
x y
dx y x d y b
dx x a
dy
x y
dx y x b
x a
+ =
=
(

(
(
=
(
(

(

(
=
(
(

1
.
2 2
1
.
2
1
.
2 2
y b b
x a a x
b x y a b
x a a x
b ab b
x a a x x a x
(

=
(
(

(
+
=
(
(

= =
The radius of curvature at ( ) , x y is
3
2
2
2
2
1
dy
dx
d y
dx

| |
+
` |
\ .

)
=
( )
( )
3
2
3
2
3
2
1
2
.
2
by
ax by x a x ax
b
b
ax
x a x
| |
+
|
+
\ .
= =
| |
|
|
\ .
( )
( )
3
3
2
2
2
. . .
ax by
i e k ax by
ab

+
= = +
Hence proved
Problem 19: Show that the radius of curvature at any point of the curve
( ) ( ) sin cos , sin cos x ae y ae
u u
u u u u = = + is twice the perpendicular distance of the
tangent at the point from the origin.
Solution: Given ( ) sin cos x ae
u
u u =
Hence, ( ) ( ) cos sin sin cos 2 sin
dx
ae ae ae
d
u u u
u u u u u
u
= + + =
Differential Calculus
11
( ) sin cos
(cos sin ) (sin cos ) 2 cos
y ae
dy
ae ae ae
d
u
u u u
u u
u u u u u
u
= +
= + + =
( )
( )
1
2
2 2
1
2 3
2 cos
cot
2 sin
.
1
cot .
2 sin
cos cos
2 sin 2
dy
dy ae
d
y
dx
dx ae
d
d y d dy
y
dx dx dx
d d
y
d dx
d
d ae
ec ec
ae ae
u
u
u
u u
u
u
u
u
u
u
u
u
u u
u u
u
= = = =
| |
= =
|
\ .
=
=

= =
The radius of curvature is
( ) ( )
3 3
2 2
2 2
1
3
2
1 1 cot
cos
2
y
ec y
ae
u
u

u
+ +
= =

( )
3
2
2
3
3
3
cos
cos
2
cos
2
cos
2
ec
ec
ae
ec
ae
ec
ae
u
u
u
u
u
u
u

=
= =

2ae
u
= (Since the radius of curvature is non-negative)
Equation of the tangent is
( ) ( ) ( )
( )
2 2
2 2
cos
sin cos sin cos
sin
sin sin sin cos cos sin cos cos
sin cos cos sin
sin cos
y ae x ae
y ae ae x ae ae
y x ae
y x ae
u u
u u u u
u
u
u
u u u u
u
u u u u u u u u
u u u u
u u
+ =
= +
= +
=
The length of the perpendicular from the origin i.e. (0, 0) to the tangent is
2 2
0.sin 0.cos
sin cos
ae
p ae
u
u
u
u u

= =
+
, using the formula,
1 1
2 2
ax by c
p
a b
+ +
=
+
Differential Calculus
12
p ae
u
= (Omitting the negative sign) 2 . p =
Hence proved
Problem 20: Find the centre of curvature and circle of curvature of the curve
x = a (cos t + t sin t), y = a (sin t t cos t) at any pointt.
Solution:
dt
dx
= a (-sin t +sin t + t cos t) = at cos t
dt
dy
= a (cos t + t sin t cos t) = at sin t
y
1
= tan t
t cos at
sin t at
dx
dy
= =
y
2
=
dx
dt
t. sec
dx
y d
2
2
2
=
t cos at
1
cost at
1
t. sec
3
2
= =
2
3/2 2
1
y
) y (1

+
=
t cos .at t) (sec
t cos .at t) tan (1
3 3/2 2
3 3/2 2
=
+ =
at
t t.at.cos sec
3 3
=
=
If (X, Y) is the centre of curvature
2
1 1
2
y (1 y )
X x
y
+
=
= a (cos t + t sin t) - t cos at t) tan (1 tan t
3 2
+
= a cos t + at sin t at tan t. sec
2
t cos
3
t
= a cos t + at sin t at sin t
= a cos t
2
1
2
(1 y
Y y
y
+
= +
= a (sin t t cos t) + (1 + tan
2
t) (at cos
3
t)
= a sin t at cos t + sec
2
t. at.cos
3
t
= a sin t at cos t + at cos t
= a sin t
The centre of curvature is (a cos t, a sin t).
The circle of curvature is
2 2 2
(x X) (y Y) + =
i.e., (x - a cos t)
2
+ (y - a sin t)
2
= a
2
t
2
.
Differential Calculus
13
Problem21: Find the equation of the evolute of the ellipse 1
b
y
a
x
2
2
2
2
= +
Solution:
The parametric equations of the ellipse are x = a cos u and y = b sin u
cos b
d
dy
and sin a
d
dx
= =
cot
a
b
sin a
cos b
dx
dy
y
1

=

= =
dx
d
cot
a
b
d
d
dx
y d
y
2
2
2
|
.
|

\
|
= =
asin
1
) cosec (
a
b
2

|
.
|

\
|
= ) (cosec
a
b
3
2
|
.
|

\
|
=
Let curvature. of centre the of s coordinate the be ) y , x (
Then ) y (1
y
y
x x
2
1
2
1
+ =
) cot
a
b
(1 .
cosec
a
b
cot
a
b
- cos a
2
2
2
3
2
+
|
.
|

\
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
= a cos u -a cot u.sin
3
u
|
|
.
|

\
|
+ cot
a
b
1
2
2
2
= a cos u - a cos u.sin
2
u
|
|
.
|

\
|
+ cot
a
b
1
2
2
2
= a cos u - a cos u.sin
2
u cos
a
b
-
3
2
= a cos u (1 - sin
2
u) cos
a
b
-
3
2
= a cos
3
u
2
3
b
- cos
a
.cos
a
b - a
x i.e.,
3
2 2
= (1)
Now
2
2
1
y
) y (1
y y
+
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
|
.
|

\
|
+ = cot
a
b
1 .
.cosec
a
b -
1
sin b
2
2
2
3
2
2 2
3 2
2
a b
b sin .sin . 1 cot
b a
| |
= +
|
\ .
Differential Calculus
14
2
3 2
a
b sin .sin -b sin cos
b
=
sin
b
a
) cos - (1 sin b
3
2
2
=
sin
b
a
- sin b
3
2
3
=
sin
b
b - a
- y i.e
3
2 2
|
|
.
|

\
|
= (2)
Locus of ) y , x ( is obtained by eliminating from (1) and (2)
From (1) cos u =
3 / 1
2 2
b a
x a
|
.
|

\
|

From (2) sin u =

1/3
2 2
b a
y b
|
.
|

\
|

cos
2
u + sin
2
u =1
i.e., 1
b a
y b
b a
x a
2/3
2 2
3 / 2
2 2
= |
.
|

\
|

+ |
.
|

\
|

i.e., ( ) ( )
3 / 2 2 2 2/3 3 / 2
) b a ( y b x a = +
The equation of the evolute of the ellipse is ( ) ( )
2/3 2 2 2/3 2/3
) b (a by ax = +
Problem 22: Show that the evolute of the cycloid x = a ( u - sin u ),
y = a ( 1 - cos u ) is again a cycloid.
Solution:
Given x = a ( u - sin u ) and y = a ( 1 - cos u )
Differentiating w.r.t u
sin a
d
dy
and ) cos - (1 a
d
dx
= =
1 2
dy a sin 2.sin / 2.cos / 2
y cot / 2
dx a (1-cos) 2 sin / 2 u
= = = =
i.e., y
1
= cot u /2 (1)
y
2
=
dx
d
/2). (cot
d
d
dx
y d
2
2
=
2
1 1
cosec ( /2).
2 a (1- cos )
u
u

=
/2 2sin
1
/2). ( cosec
2a
1
2
2

=
/2) ( cosec
4a
1
4

= (2)
Differential Calculus
15
If ) y , x ( is the centre of curvature,
) y (1
y
y
x x
2
1
2
1
+ =
( ) 2 / cot 1
2 / cosec
4a
1
2 / cot
) sin ( a
2
4
+
|
.
|

\
|

=
. 2 / ec cos .
2 / ec cos
2 / cot . a 4
) sin ( a
2
4
+ =
= a (u - sin u) + 4a. sin u/2.cos u /2.
= a (u - sin u ) + 2a sin u
i.e., ) sin ( a x + = (3)
2
2
1
y
) y (1
x y
+
=
) /2 cot (1
/2 cosec
4a
1 -
1
) cos - (1 a
2
4
+ + =
= a (1 - cosu ) - 4a sin
2
u /2
= a (1 - cosu ) - 2a (1 - cos u )
i.e., ) cos (1 a y = (4)
The evolute of the given cycloid is the locus of ) y , x ( . Eliminating u from (1) and (2) we
get the equation of the evolute. Otherwise, the parametric equations of the locus of
) y , x ( are x = a (u + sin u ) and y = - a (1 - cos u ). These are the parametric equations of
a cycloid. Thus the evolute of a cycloid is again a cycloid.
Problem 23: Prove that the evolute of the tractrix x = a (cos t + log tan (t/2)),
y = a sin t is a catenary.
Solution:
Given x = a (cos t + log tan (t/2))

|
|
.
|

\
|
+ = ) 2 / 1 ).( 2 / t ( sec
) (t/2 tan
1
sin t - a
dt
dx
2
|
|
.
|

\
|
+ =
(t /2) cos t/2) ( sin
(t/2) cos
.
2
1
sin t - a
2
|
|
.
|

\
|
+ =
(t /2) cos (t/2) sin 2
1
sin t - a
Differential Calculus
16
|
.
|

\
|
+ =
sin t
1
sin t - a
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
sin t
t sin - 1
a
2
i.e.,
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
sin t
t cos
a
dt
dx
2
y = a sin t
t cos a
dt
dy
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
= =
sin t
t cos
a.
t cos a
dx
dy
y
2
1
i.e., y
1
= tan t (1)
t cos a
sin t
t. sec
dx
dt
(tan t).
dt
d
dx
y d
y
2
2
2
2
2
= = =
i.e.,
t acos
sin t
y
4
2
= (2)
If ) y , x ( is the centre of curvature, then
) y (1
y
y
x x
2
1
2
1
+ =
= a (cos t + log tan (t /2)) - ) t tan 1 (
t cos a
sin t
tan t
2
4
+
|
.
|

\
|
(Using (1) and (2))
= a (cos t + log tan (t /2)) - t .sec
sin t
t cos
.
t cos
sin t
a.
2
4
= a cos t + a log tan (t /2) - a cos t
i.e., x = a log tan (t /2) (3)
2
1
2
(1 y )
y y+
y
+
=
= a sin t + ) t tan 1 (
t cos a
sin t
1
2
4
+
|
.
|

\
|
= a sin t + t .sec
sint
t cos a
2
4
t) cos t (sin
sin t
a
2 2
+ =
i.e.,
sin t
a
y = (4)
From (3) and (4) we get the parametric equation of the evolute as
x = a log tan (t /2),
sin t
a
y =
Differential Calculus
17
A relation between x and y is obtained by eliminating t.
Now from x = a log tan (t /2), we get x/a = log tan (t /2),
e
x / a
= tan (t /2) and e
-x / a
= cot (t /2)
2
e e
cosh x/a Now
a x / a x / -
+
=
2
sint/2
cost/2
cost/2
sint/2
2
cot t /2 tan t /2
+
=
+
=
t /2 cos 2sin t /2
2 / cos t/2 sin
2 2
t +
=
sin t
1
cosh x/a i.e., =
y
sin t
a
cosh x/a a = =
catenary. a is which , cosh x/a a y i.e., =
Problem 24: Find the envelope of the family of straight lines y = mx 2am am
3
,
where m is a parameter.
Solution:
Given y = mx 2am am
3
(1)
Differentiating partially w.r.t m
0 = x 2a 3am
2
(2)
Eliminate m between (1) and (2)
From (2),
3a
2a x
m
2

=
From (1), y = m(x 2a am
2
)
y =
(

3
2a x
2a x m
2a) .(x
3
2
m. y =
2a) 2(x
3y
m

=
Now from (2) 0 = x 2a 3a
2
2a) 2(x
3y
(

i.e., 4(x - 2a)

3
= 27ay
2
is the equation of the envelope.
Problem 25: Find the envelope of the family of curves c sin
y
b
cos
x
a
2 2
=
|
|
.
|

\
|

|
|
.
|

\
|
where u is a parameter.
Differential Calculus
18
Solution:
Given c sin
y
b
cos
x
a
2 2
=
|
|
.
|

\
|

|
|
.
|

\
|
(1)
Differentiating w.r.t u
0 cos
y
b
) sin (-
x
a
2 2
=
|
|
.
|

\
|

|
|
.
|

\
|
0 cos
y
b
sin
x
a
2 2
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
|
|
.
|

\
|
(2)
The equation of the envelope is obtained by eliminating u between (1) and (2)
Now squaring and adding (1) and (2)
c ) cos (sin
y
b
) sin (cos
x
a
2 2 2
2
2
2 2
2
2
= +
|
|
.
|

\
|
+ +
|
|
.
|

\
|
2
2
4
2
4
c
y
b
x
a
= +
i.e., a
4
y
2
+ b
4
x
2
= c
2
x
2
y
2
.
Problem 26: Find the envelope of the family of curves y = mx + a
2
m 1+ where m
is a parameter.
Solution:
We have y = mx + a
2
m 1+
y mx = a
2
m 1+
Squaring both sides (y mx )
2
= a
2
(1 + m
2
)
i.e., y
2
2mxy + m
2
x
2
= a
2
(1 + m
2
)
(x
2
- a
2
)m
2
2xy.m + y
2
a
2
= 0
This being a quadratic equation in m, the equation of the envelope is given by
B
2
= 4AC, where A = x
2
- a
2
, B = -2xy, C = y
2
- a
2
i.e., 4x
2
y
2
= 4(x
2
- a
2
) (y
2
- a
2
)
x
2
y
2
= x
2
y
2
x
2
a
2
y
2
a
2
+ a
4
x
2
+ y
2
= a
2
. The envelope is a circle.
Problem 27: Find the evolute of the parabola y
2
= 4ax considering it as the envelope
of its normals.
Solution:
The equation of normal at any point (at
2
, 2at) on the parabola y
2
= 4ax is
y + xt = 2at +at
3
(1)
Differentiating partially w.r.t. t, we get,
0 + x = 2a + 3at
2
(2)
Differential Calculus
19
To find the envelope of the family of normals, eliminate t between (1) and (2).
From (2),
1/2
3a
2a x
t |
.
|

\
|
=
Substituting in (1), we get
3/2 1/2 1/2
3a
2a x
a.
3a
2a x
2a.
3a
2a x
x. y |
.
|

\
|
+ |
.
|

\
|
= |
.
|

\
|
+
3/2 1/2
3a
2a x
a.
3a
2a x
2a). - (x - y |
.
|

\
|
+ |
.
|

\
|
=
a) 3a (
3a
2a x
y
3/2
+ |
.
|

\
|
=
2
3
2
4a
3a
2a x
y |
.
|

\
|
=
2
3
3
2
.4a
27a
2a) (x
y

=
27ay
2
= 4(x 2a)
3
This is the equation of the evolute of the given parabola.
Problem 28: Find the evolute of the ellipse 1
b
y
a
x
2
2
2
2
= + , treating it as the envelope of
its normals.
Solution:
The normal at any point (a cos u, b sin u) on the ellipse 1
b
y
a
x
2
2
2
2
= + is
2 2
b a
sin
by
cos
ax
= (1)
Differentiating (1) w.r.t u
0 .cos
sin
by
.sin
cos
ax
2 2
= +
Dividing by sin cos, 0
sin
by
cos
ax
3 3
= + (2)
Eliminate u between (1) and (2)
From (2) (say) k
sin
by
cos
ax
3 3
=

=
1/3 1/3
k
by -
sin and
k
ax
cos |
.
|

\
|
= |
.
|

\
|
= (3)
cos
2
u + sin
2
u =1
1
k
by
k
ax
2/3 2/3
= |
.
|

\
|
+ |
.
|

\
|

-
2/3 2/3 2/3
by) ( ax) ( k + = (4)
Substituting in (1) for sin u and cos u from (3)
Differential Calculus
20
| |
2 2 1/3 2/3 2/3
b a k by) ( (ax) = +
| | ( )
2
2 2 2/3 2 2/3 2/3
b a k (by) (ax) = +
| | ( )
2
2 2
3
2/3 2/3
b a (by) (ax) = + (Using (4)))
( )
2/3
2 2 2/3 2/3
b a (by) (ax) , i.e. = +
This is the evolute of the ellipse 1
b
y
a
x
2
2
2
2
= +
Problem 29: Find the envelope of the straight lines 1
b
y
a
x
= + where the parameters
a and b are connected by the relation a
2
+ b
2
= c
2
and c is a constant.
Solution:
Given 1
b
y
a
x
= + (1)
Differentiating w.r.t a
0
da
db
.
b
y
a
x
2 2
=

(2)
Given a
2
+ b
2
= c
2
Differentiating w.r.t a
0
da
db
2b. 2a = + (3)
Eliminate a and b between (1), (2) and (3).
Comparing (1) and (2)
2b
b
y
2a
a
x
2 2

=

(say)
k
1
b
y
a
x
i.e.,
3 3 3
= =
Then a = k.x
1/3
, b = k.y
1/3
Now a
2
+ b
2
= c
2
i.e., k
2
x
2/3
+ k
2
y
2/3
= c
2
2/3 2/3
2
2
y x
c
k
+
=
2/3 2/3
y x
c
k
+
=
From (1) 1
ky
y
kx
x
1/3 1/3
= +
i.e., x
2/3
+ y
2/3
= k
i.e., x
2/3
+ y
2/3
=
2/3 2/3
y x
c
+

Cross multiplying and squaring, we get,

(x
2/3
+ y
2/3
)
3
= c
2
Differential Calculus
21
i.e., x
2/3
+ y
2/3
= c
2/3
Problem 30: Prove that the envelope of the family of ellipses 1
b
y
a
x
2
2
2
2
= + , where a
and b are connected by the relation a
2
+ b
2
= c
2
and c is a constant is x y = c.
Solution:
Given 1
b
y
a
x
2
2
2
2
= + and b
2
= c
2
a
2
.
1
a c
y
a
x
2 2
2
2
2
=

+
i.e., (c
2
a
2
) x
2
+ a
2
y
2
= a
2
(c
2
- a
2
) (1)
Equation (1) is a family of curves with parameter a
2
. Rewriting (1) as a quadratic in a
2
,
we get, a
4
+ (y
2
- x
2
- c
2
)a
2
+ c
2
x
2
= 0
The equation of the envelope is given by
B
2
= 4AC where A = 1, B = y
2
- x
2
- c
2
and C = c
2
x
2
.
Substituting for A, B, C we get the equation of the envelope as, (y
2
- x
2
- c
2
)
2
= 4.1 c
2
x
2
i.e., y
2
- x
2
- c
2
= 2cx
i.e., y
2
- x
2
- c
2
= 2cx; y
2
- x
2
- c
2
= -2cx
i.e., x
2
+ 2cx + c
2
- y
2
= 0; x
2
- 2cx + c
2
- y
2
= 0
i.e., (x + c)
2
y
2
= 0; (x c )
2
y
2
= 0
i.e., x + c = y; x c = y
i.e., x c = y
i.e., x y = c is the envelope of the given family of ellipses.