BIRLA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY & SCIENCE, PILANI

Second Semester 2021-22

MATH F342 : Differential Geometry
Comprehensive Examination (Closed Book)
May 19, 2022 Max. Marks: 80 Max. Time: 180 Mintues
Name: ID No.:
Max marks.: 30 PART A Max. Time: 60 Minutes
(a) The asymptotic lines of the paraboloid of revolution ⃗r(u, v) = (u cos v, u sin v, u2 ) are the
solutions of the differential equation ——.
Ans:

(b) If the direction coefficients of the direction conjugate to u = 1 on the surface ⃗r(u, v) =
(u cos v, u sin v, eu ) is (l, m), then m = ——.
Ans:

(c) The parameter of the distribution of the ruled surface formed by the principal normal ⃗n(s) of
the curve ⃗r(s) is ——.
Ans:

(d) The Gaussian curvature K =—— and the mean curvature µ =—— on the surface z = xy at
the point (0, 0, 0).
Ans:

(e) The set of the elliptic points on the surface z = xy is —–

Ans:

(f) The normal curvature at the point (2, 2, 4) of the curve x = y on the surface z = xy is ——.
Ans:

(g) If the curves 4du2 = (4u2 + 1)dv 2 form an orthogonal system on the surface ⃗r(u, v) =
(2u cos v, 2u sin v, ψ(v)), then ψ(v) =——.
Ans:

(h) If the tangent plane at an arbitrary point on the surface ⃗r(u, v) = (sin u cos v, sin u sin v, cos u)
is α(u, v)x + β(u, v)y + γ(u, v)z = d(u, v), then α =—–, β =—— and γ =——.
Ans:

⃗ =——
(i) The parametrization of the tangent surface to the curve ⃗r(t) = (cos t, sin t, 2t) is R
Ans:

(j) The curvature vector at any point on the curve ⃗r(t) = (3t2 , 3t − t3 , 3t + t3 ) is ——
Ans:
 BIRLA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY & SCIENCE, PILANI
Second Semester 2021-22
MATH F342 : Differential Geometry
Comprehensive Examination (Closed Book)
May 19, 2022 Max. Marks: 80 Max. Time: 180 Mintues
Max marks.: 50 PART B Max. Time: 120 Minutes
Instructions : 1) Use arrow notation on top of all vectors. 2) All notations used in question
paper are standard. 3) Explain all the steps.
1. Let Q be a point on the line y = 2 in xy-plane and let P be the point on the line segment from
Q to the origin O such that |P Q| = 2. Find the parametric equation ⃗γ of the curve traced by
P as Q varies over the line y = 2 with parameter θ = the angle made by the line OQ with
the positive x-axis. Refer to the figure below. What are the values of θ ∈ (0, π) for which ⃗γ is
regular? [5]

2. Consider a unit curve ⃗r(s) such that ⃗r(s) = λ(s)⃗t(s) + µ(s)⃗b(s) for some functions λ, µ ∈ C 1
and µ ̸= 0. Prove that
τ
= as + b
κ
for some constants a and b with a ̸= 0. [6]
3. Find the principal directions at the point (a, b, 0) on the surface
x = a(u + v), y = b(u − v), z = uv. [5]

4. Find all the umbilic points of the unit sphere centered at origin. [6]
5. Derive the relation KI − 2µII + III = 0 for first, second and third fundamental forms of a
surface. [6]
6. Suppose two surfaces intersect along a curve C at a constant angle. Show that if C is a line
of curvature on one of these surfaces then it is also a line of curvature on the other surface.[5]
7. On the hyperbolic paraboloid x2 − y 2 = z, find the orthogonal trajectories of its sections by
z = c. [5]
8. Show that the curvature κ at any point P of the curve of intersection of two surfaces is given
by
κ2 sin2 θ = κ∗2 ∗∗2 ∗ ∗∗
n + κn − 2κn κn cos θ,
Where κ∗n , κ∗∗
n are the normal curvatures of these two surfaces in the direction of the curve at
P and θ is the angle between the normals ( of the surfaces ) at P . [6]
9. State and prove the Rodrigue’s theorem. [6]

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