Radius of curvature at origin :

a. Method of substitution. (already discussed)

b. Method of expansion. (already discussed)
c. Newtonian method:
Case I
If the curve passes through the origin, and the axis of x is
tangent at origin then,

Case II
If the curve passes through the origin, and the axis of y is
tangent at origin then,
Remarks: ,

If the equation of the curve be in polar form then

Circle of curvature:
y
Consider a circle which touches Y=f(x)
the curve y = f(x) at point p. B
since the circle and the curve
touch at p, they must have the C
same rate of bending of arc at
p. this shows that the circle and A
P
the curve have equal curvature
at p and hence the radius of the
circle and radius of curvature of x
O T
the circle are same at this point.
Thus, we have
i. Center of curvature:
the point C with the length CP = , measured from p along the positive direction of
the normal at p is called center of curvature at p.
ii. Circle of curvature:
The circle with center at C and radius CP = is called circle of curvature at P.
iii. Chord of curvature:
Any chord of circle through the point of contact P is called chord of curvature at P. in
the above figure PA and PB are two chords of curvature at P.

Length of chord of curvature through the pole:

Let PT be the tangent to the curve at P, C
Q Y=f(x)
be the center of curvature corresponding
to the point P on the curve and PR be the C
chord of curvature passing through the
pole. P
Join P and C and produce it to meet the R
ø
circle at Q join Q and R. Then LPRQ = 90֯
, L PTX = , LOPT = ø , LPQR = ø. O T X
From the right angled triangle PQR we have
 

Note:
1. It is clear that the chord of curvature through the pole i.e. origin, can be easily
obtained when the equation of the curve is given in the pedal form.
2. If the chord PR, does not pass through the origin and makes an angle with the
tangent PT at p then if follows that PR = .
 .

Length of chord of curvature parallel to the co-ordinate axis:

Y
Let C be the center of the curvature corresponding to the
point P on curve y = f (x). Let the tangent at P makes an
angle with positive x-axis and AP and BP are the
chord of curvature paraallel to X and Y axis respectively. D B
Complete the rectangle APBD.
C
Then,
90-
A p

O T X

Thus, the chord of curvature parallel to X axis .

Similarly, the chord of curvature parallel to Y-axis , BP = .
 Centre of curvature: Y

The centre of curvature corresponding to any point

on the curve , is the point which lies on the positive
direction of the normal at a distance from it.
Y=f(x)
Now, we find the co-ordinates of the centre curvature
Corresponding to a point P(x, y) on the curve y = f (x).
N P(x,y)

Let be the centre of curvature

corresponding to the point P(x,y) on the curve
y=f(x) and be the radius of curvature of the
curve at P. Then M L X
O T

Let PT be the tangent to the curve at P which makes an angle with the positive
direction of x-axis. Draw perpendiculars CM and PL on OX and PN perpendicular to CM.
From figure,
Thus, the co-ordinates of centre of curvature are:

Remarks:
If be the centre of curvature then the equation of the circle of curvature is

Evolutes and Involutes:

The locus of center of curvature of given curve is called
evolute and the given curve itself is called the involute of its
evolute.
 Exercise
Q. 12. Find the radius of curvature at origin.
(i)
Differentiating w.r.to x

Again diff. w.r. to x we get

Since we have, by substitution method

12 (ii) (i)

Solution: the lowest degree term in the given equation is 4x .

Equating it to zero, we get 4x = 0. x = 0.
So, Y axis is the tangent to the curve at (0, 0).

Dividing equation (i) by 2x and using limit, we get

12. (iv)
Or,
13 . Find the chord of curvature through the pole.

We get,
13. (iii)

.
15. Show that length of chord of curvature parallel to y-axis to the curve y = alogsec
is a constant.
Solution:
Given, curve is y = alogsec
Diff. w.r to x we get

Again diff w.r to x we get

Since

Also, since
Now, length of chord of curvature parallel to y-axis =

=2a
Which is a constant.
16. (ii) Show that radius of curvature at any point for the cycloid

is twice the portion of the normal intercepted between the curve and the axis of X.
Solution: we have the given equation,

Also
Again, the length of normal
17 (ii) Show that the radius of curvature for the curve , is m times the
length of tangent.

Solution:

Diff. w.r. to s we get

Or,

Now , length of tangent

Hence,
18.(i) show that , for the cycloid .
Solution: we have the given equation of cycloid is,
Dif. W. r. to s we get,

Again diff. w. r. to s we get,

Thus,
19.(i) Show that for any curve,
Solution:

Since, w

Proved.
20. Determine the co-ordinates of centre of curvature of the curve at given point.
(i)

−ordinate of centre of curvature

Ans.
21. Find the circle of curvature to each of the following curves at the given point.
 22.

According to the question,

23. Find the co- ordinates of center of curvature and the evolute of the curve.
Again, for the evolute