Practice Problems Set 2-Math 11-SMC Fall Semester 2023

Important: The following set of problems does not constitute a

sample model for Exam 2. It is an additional set of practice problems
to help the student further prepare for this exam and also the Final.

1 (a) Find the parametric equations in R3 of the line passing through

the point P (1, 2, −1) in the direction of the non-zero vector
u =< a, b, c >, here, a, b and c are real-valued constants.
(b) Find
(x + y + 3z)3
lim .
(x,y,z)7→(1,2,−1) (x − 1)(y − 2)(z + 1)

2 Determine the set of points in R2 at which the function f is con-

tinuous { 2 4
xy −y
2 4 , if (x, y) ̸= (0, 0);
f (x, y) = x +y
0, if (x, y) = (0, 0)

3 Let r(t) = 2 cos t i + t j + 2 sin t k, for 0 ≤ t ≤ 2π.

(a) Sketch the curve C determined by r(t), and indicate the orien-
tation in your graph.
(b) Find the tangent vector r0 (t) to C at the point P (−2, π, 0).
(c) Find the symmetric equations of the tangent line to C at point
P (−2, π, 0).

4 If the acceleration vector a(t) is the zero vector for any t ≥ 0,

prove that the motion is a long a ray (a subset of a straight line) in
R3 for any t ≥ 0.
5 Prove that if an object has constant speed for any t ∈ I, then its
velocity vector and acceleration must be orthogonal for any t ∈ I.

6 Parts (a), (b) and c of this problem are independent

(a) Prove that the curvature of a circle C of radius R (R > 0) is R1
(Here, you may assume that the circle is centered at the origin
of the xy rectangular coordinate system and that it is traversed
once counterclockwise.)
(b) Prove that if a particle moves in R2 at a constant speed, then
the velocity and acceleration vectors are orthogonal. Find the
corresponding tangential component of acceleration aT and the
normal component of acceleration aN .

7 Consider the Helix C defined by the vector function

r(t) = 2 cos t i + 2 sin t j + 3t k,

for t ≥ 0 and the point P (0, 2, 3π
2
).
(a) Find the unit tangent vector T at P .
(b) Find the unit normal vector N at P .
(c) Find the unit binormal vector B at P .
(d) Find the equation of the osculating plane to C at P .
(e) Find the equation of the normal plane to C at P .
(f) Show that the curvature to C at P is constant.
(g) Find the radius R of the circle of curvature (osculating circle)
to C at P

8 Prove that the quadratic function f (x) = ax2 + bx + c, a ̸= 0, b

and c are constants has its maximum curvature at the x-coordinate
of its vertex. Find the maximum value of the curvature.