Calculus: Vector Functions, Curvature, Motion in 3D

A vector valued function can be viewed as?
1) A set of parametric equations that together describe a curve.

2) One big vector whose components are dependent variables (x(t), y(t), z(t)) defined in terms of a single independent variable t.

A vector valued function can be viewed as?
Component functions?
The components of a vector valued function. Which are functions themselves.
Component functions?
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Domain of a vector function?
the set of all t’s for which each of the component functions are defined.

Basically you need to consider the domain for each function individually. Then combine them for the domain of the entire vector function.

Domain of a vector function?
How is the limit of a vector function found?
Take the limit of each function component.
How is the limit of a vector function found?
Space Curve
A vector function graphed in 3-D.

Different from a plane curve in that it is not confined to a single plane.

Space Curve
Unit tangent vector?
The tangent vector when only direction is concerned.

Just divide the tangent vector by its magnitude.

Unit tangent vector?
Arc Length of a vector function on an interval?
Arc Length of a vector function on an interval?
What is a smooth curve?
A curve with no discontinuities or sharp corners.

Therefore, one in which r'(t) is continuous and r'(t) != 0 (else it wouldn’t point in any direction).

What is a smooth curve?
How is a vector valued function viewed graphically?
As t varies:

a point (x(t), y(t), z(t)) on the parameterized curve is also the head of a position vector:

r(t) = < x(t), y(t), z(t) >

How is a vector valued function viewed graphically?
Velocity vector? What does the magnitude of this vector produce?
gives the velocity in the x, y, and z direction.

The magnitude gives the objects speed.

Velocity vector? What does the magnitude of this vector produce?
Acceleration vector?
gives the acceleration in the x, y, and z direction.
Acceleration vector?
How is the derivative of a vector-valued function taken? 

What is this known as and why is it important?
Simply take the derivative of each component function.

This is the Tangent Vector. Important in that it points in the direction of the curve’s orientation and by extension the direction an object is going.

r'(t) != 0 anywhere along its interval as that would mean the tangent line is neutral and points in both directions.

How is the derivative of a vector-valued function taken?

What is this known as and why is it important?

How is the indefinite integral of a vector valued function taken?
Basically just take the integral of each component function but remember +C is a vector this time.
How is the indefinite integral of a vector valued function taken?
How is the definite integral of a vector-valued function taken?
Take the integral of each component function.
How is the definite integral of a vector-valued function taken?
Unit Normal Vector
Points in the direction that the curve is turning. It is orthogonal to the tangent vector.
Unit Normal Vector
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