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Q.At any point tt on the curve x=a(t+sin⁡t)x = a(t + \sin t), y=a(1−cos⁡t)y = a(1 - \cos t), find the lengths of tangent, normal.

Telangana TsbieTelangana Board of Intermediate Education (Intermediate 1st Year) 2025Subjective· 7mImportance★★★★★
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Using the standard formulas Length of Tangent =y1+m2m=\dfrac{y\sqrt{1+m^2}}{m} and Length of Normal =y1+m2=y\sqrt{1+m^2} (where m=dy/dxm=dy/dx), with the cycloid's parametric slope simplified via half-angle identities, gives both lengths in terms of tt.

x=a(t+sin⁡t)x=a(t+\sin t), y=a(1−cos⁡t)y=a(1-\cos t) — this is a cycloid.

dxdt=a(1+cos⁡t)\dfrac{dx}{dt}=a(1+\cos t), dydt=asin⁡t\qquad \dfrac{dy}{dt}=a\sin t

m=dydx=asin⁡ta(1+cos⁡t)=sin⁡t1+cos⁡tm=\dfrac{dy}{dx} = \dfrac{a\sin t}{a(1+\cos t)} = \dfrac{\sin t}{1+\cos t}

Using sin⁡t=2sin⁡t2cos⁡t2\sin t = 2\sin\dfrac t2\cos\dfrac t2 and 1+cos⁡t=2cos⁡2t21+\cos t=2\cos^2\dfrac t2:

m=2sin⁡t2cos⁡t22cos⁡2t2=tan⁡t2m = \dfrac{2\sin\frac t2\cos\frac t2}{2\cos^2\frac t2} = \tan\dfrac t2

Also, y=a(1−cos⁡t)=a⋅2sin⁡2t2=2asin⁡2t2y=a(1-\cos t) = a\cdot2\sin^2\dfrac t2 = 2a\sin^2\dfrac t2

1+m2=1+tan⁡2t2=sec⁡t2\sqrt{1+m^2} = \sqrt{1+\tan^2\frac t2} = \sec\dfrac t2

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