Problem 30
Question
The tangent plane at a point \(P_{0}\left(f\left(u_{0}, v_{0}\right), g\left(u_{0}, v_{0}\right), h\left(u_{0}, v_{0}\right)\right)\) on a parametrized surface \(\mathbf{r}(u, v)=f(u, v) \mathbf{i}+g(u, v) \mathbf{j}+h(u, v) \mathbf{k}\) is the plane through \(P_{0}\) normal to the vector \(\mathbf{r}_{u}\left(u_{0}, v_{0}\right) \times \mathbf{r}_{v}\left(u_{0}, v_{0}\right),\) the cross product of the tangent vectors \(\mathbf{r}_{u}\left(u_{0}, v_{0}\right)\) and \(\mathbf{r}_{v}\left(u_{0}, v_{0}\right)\) at \(P_{0} .\) In Exercises \(27-30,\) find an equation for the plane tangent to the surface at \(P_{0} .\) Then find a Cartesian equation for the surface and sketch the surface and tangent plane together. $$ \begin{array}{l}{\text { Parabolic cylinder The parabolic cylinder surface } \mathbf{r}(x, y)=} \\ {x \mathbf{i}+y \mathbf{j}-x^{2} \mathbf{k},-\infty < x <\infty,-\infty < y < \infty, \text { at the point }} \\ {P_{0}(1,2,-1) \text { corresponding to }(x, y)=(1,2)}\end{array} $$
Step-by-Step Solution
VerifiedKey Concepts
Parametrized Surface
In the given exercise, we have the surface described by the vector function \( \mathbf{r}(x, y) = x \mathbf{i} + y \mathbf{j} - x^2 \mathbf{k} \). Here, \( x \) and \( y \) act as the parameters, and the surface equation forms a parabolic cylinder.
Understanding parametrized surfaces is crucial because they lay the groundwork for more complex concepts like tangent planes and normal vectors.
Partial Derivatives
In this exercise, we calculate the partial derivatives of \( \mathbf{r}(x, y) \) with respect to \( x \) and \( y \):
- \( \mathbf{r}_x(x, y) = \frac{\partial}{\partial x}(x \mathbf{i} + y \mathbf{j} - x^2 \mathbf{k}) = \mathbf{i} - 2x \mathbf{k} \)
- \( \mathbf{r}_y(x, y) = \frac{\partial}{\partial y}(x \mathbf{i} + y \mathbf{j} - x^2 \mathbf{k}) = \mathbf{j} \)
These derivatives give us the tangent vectors at any given point. They are essential for understanding how changes in \( x \) or \( y \) direction affect the surface.
Cross Product
For our exercise, we compute the cross product of \( \mathbf{r}_x \) and \( \mathbf{r}_y \), the partial derivatives:
- \( (\mathbf{i} - 2 \mathbf{k}) \times \mathbf{j} = \mathbf{i} \times \mathbf{j} - 2 \mathbf{k} \times \mathbf{j} = \mathbf{k} + 2 \mathbf{i} \)
The cross product provides us with the normal vector \( 2 \mathbf{i} + \mathbf{k} \), which is crucial for the next steps, such as writing the equation of the tangent plane.
Normal Vector
In this exercise, the normal vector is derived from the cross product \( \mathbf{r}_x \times \mathbf{r}_y \). We determined that the normal vector is \( 2 \mathbf{i} + \mathbf{k} \).
This normal vector aids in writing the equation of the tangent plane, capturing the direction that is perpendicular to the surface at point \( P_0 (1, 2, -1) \). Without it, we wouldn't be able to ensure that the plane is tangent to the surface at the specific point needed.
Cartesian Equation
For the parabolic cylinder surface in the exercise, its Cartesian equation is \( z = -x^2 \). This describes how the surface extends through space, showing us the parabolic profile along the \( z \)-axis as \( x \) changes.
Furthermore, once we have the normal vector, we can write the tangent plane's equation. In this case, the tangent plane at point \( P_0 (1, 2, -1) \) is given by \( 2x + z = 1 \).
This equation succinctly describes the plane in the \( xyz \) coordinate space, which just touches the surface without intersecting it at multiple points.