MATH 2551-D MIDTERM 1

VERSION A
SPRING 2023
COVERS SECTIONS 12.1-12.6, 13.1-13.4

Full name: GT ID:

Honor code statement: I will abide strictly by the Georgia Tech honor code at all times. I
will not use a calculator. I will not reference any website, application, or other CAS-enabled
service. I will not consult with my notes or anyone during this exam. I will not provide aid to
anyone else during this exam.

( ) I attest to my integrity.

Read all instructions carefully before beginning.

ˆ Print your name and GT ID neatly above.

ˆ You have 75 minutes to take the exam.

ˆ You may not use aids of any kind.

ˆ Please show your work.

ˆ Good luck! Write yourself a message of encouragement on the front page!

Question Points
1 2
2 2
3 2
4 4
5 10
6 10
7 10
8 10
Total: 50
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For problems 1-3 choose whether each statement is true or false. If the statement is always
true, pick true. If the statement is ever false, pick false. Be sure to neatly fill in the bubble
corresponding to your answer choice.

1. (2 points) The curvature of a line is 0 at every point on the line.

⃝ TRUE ⃝ FALSE

2. (2 points) If u and v are two vectors in R3 , then u·v is a vector orthogonal to both u and v.

⃝ TRUE ⃝ FALSE

3. (2 points) There is exactly one possible parameterization for any line in space.

⃝ TRUE ⃝ FALSE

4. (4 points) Which of the following is true of the quadric surface z = x2 + 2y 2 ?

⃝ A) It is a plane, because all of its cross-sections in the x = k, y = k, and z = k

planes are straight lines.
⃝ B) It is a sphere, because all of its cross-sections in the x = k, y = k, and z = k
planes are circles.
⃝ C) It is an elliptical paraboloid, because its cross-sections are ellipses in the z = k
planes and parabolas in the x = k and y = k planes.
⃝ D) It is a hyperbolic paraboloid, because its cross-sections are hyperbolas in the
z = k planes and parabolas in the x = k and y = k planes.
⃝ E) It is a cone, because its cross-sections are circles in the z = k planes and
straight lines in the x = k and y = k planes.
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t2 4 3/2
 
5. Let C be the curve which is the graph of the vector-valued function r(t) = , t , 2t ,
2 3
0 ≤ t < ∞.
(a) (2 points) Compute r(0) and r(4).

(b) (6 points) Compute the arc length function s(t) for this parameterization, taking
t0 = 0 as your reference point.

32
(c) (2 points) Find the distance along C between the points (0, 0, 0) and (8, , 8).
3
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6. Suppose that a pegasus (a flying horse) is flying through the sky. Two hours after it left its
stable, its velocity vector is v = 3i − 2j + k miles per hour and its position is 2i − 3j + 4k
miles. The stable is not located at the origin.
(a) (3 points) Find an equation of the tangent line to the flight path of the pegasus two
hours after it left its stable.

(b) (5 points) One hour after it left its stable, the position of the pegasus was −i − j + 5k
miles. Use this fact and your answer to part (a) to show that the pegasus cannot be
flying in a straight line. Be sure to clearly explain your answer.

√
(c) (2 points) If the pegasus maintains its flight speed at the two hour mark of 14 miles
per hour for the rest of its flight, is it possible for it to return to its stable? Be sure
to clearly explain your answer.
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7. Let P1 be the plane 2x + 2y − z = 1 and P2 be the plane 2x − y + 2z = 4.

(a) (2 points) Show that P1 and P2 are intersecting planes by showing that the point
(−1, 4, 5) lies on both planes.

(b) (2 points) Find normal vectors to both planes.

(c) (6 points) Find a parameterization of the line of intersection of the two planes.
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8. In this problem, you will work with normal vectors and curvature.
(a) (4 points) Let r(t) = f (t)i + g(t)j be any parameterized curve in the plane. Show that
the vector n(t) = −g ′ (t)i + f ′ (t)j is orthogonal to r′ (t) for every value of t.

(b) (4 points) Use your result from part (a) to produce a unit normal vector to the curve
r(t) = ⟨2 cos(t), 2 sin(t)⟩, 0 ≤ t < 2π.

(c) (2 points) Is the vector that you produced in part (b) the principal unit normal vector?
Explain your answer; a picture might be useful.
Hint: Consider whether your vector is pointing in the direction of curvature of this
curve.
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FORMULA SHEET

ˆ ⟨u1 , u2 , u3 ⟩ · ⟨v1 , v2 , v3 ⟩ = u1 v1 + u2 v2 + u3 v3
ˆ u · v = |u||v| cos(θ)
i j k
ˆ ⟨u1 , u2 , u3 ⟩ × ⟨v1 , v2 , v3 ⟩ = u1 u2 u3
v1 v2 v3
ˆ |u × v| = |u||v|| sin(θ)|
Z b
ˆ L= |r′ (t)| dt
a
Z t
ˆ s(t) = |r′ (T )| dT
t0
v dr
ˆ T= =
|v| ds
dT 1 dT |v × a|
ˆ κ= = =
ds |v| dt |v|3
1 dT dT/dt
ˆ N= =
κ ds |dT/dt|
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