MATH 2401: WEEK 1

Topics for this week are:

• Vector functions, parametrized curves, and motion
• Differentiation of vector functions
• The unit tangent and principal normal vectors

Text coverage:     Sections 13.1 - 13.4 of Salas, Hille, and Etgen

Reference:   These topics are also discussed in Chapter 3, Vector Functions and Chapter 4, Derivatives, of the Cain-Herod textbook.

Online resources:

• Maple Worksheets
  • Parametric Curves: We use Maple to explain and visualize the unit tangent, normal, curvature and other quantities associated with a curve.
  • Flying in the Wind : Suppose you wish to fly (in an airplane) from point A to point B against the wind, this worksheet illustrates basic vector calculations involved.

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Last Modified: . School of Mathematics, Georgia Institute of Technology.