Chapter 14: Problem 13
Describe the graph of the equation. $$r=(2-3 t) i-4 t j$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The graph represents a straight line with slope \( \frac{4}{3} \) and y-intercept \( -\frac{8}{3} \).
Step by step solution
01
Understanding the Equation
The equation given is a vector equation described by a parameter, \( t \). The vector \( \mathbf{r} \) is a function of the parameter, where \( i \) and \( j \) are unit vectors in the Cartesian coordinate system.
02
Identify Components
Identify the vector components. The vector \( \mathbf{r}(t) \) is given by \( (2-3t) \mathbf{i} - 4t \mathbf{j} \). This means the \( x \)-component is \( 2-3t \) and the \( y \)-component is \( -4t \).
03
Restate as Parametric Equations
Express the vector components as parametric equations: \( x = 2-3t \) and \( y = -4t \). These equations describe a line in the plane parameterized by \( t \).
04
Eliminate the Parameter
To find a single equation without the parameter \( t \), solve for \( t \) in one of the parametric equations. From \( y = -4t \), solve for \( t \): \( t = -\frac{y}{4} \). Substitute into the \( x \) equation: \( x = 2 - 3(-\frac{y}{4}) = 2 + \frac{3y}{4} \).
05
Simplify to Cartesian Form
Simplify the expression from the previous step to find the equation of the line: rearrange it to \( x = 2 + \frac{3y}{4} \) or alternatively, \( 4x = 8 + 3y \), leading to the line equation \( 3y = 4x - 8 \), or \( y = \frac{4}{3}x - \frac{8}{3} \).
06
Interpret the Result
This result represents a straight line with a slope of \( \frac{4}{3} \) and a y-intercept of \( -\frac{8}{3} \). The graph is a line in the Cartesian plane.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Vector Equation
In the realm of mathematics, a vector equation is an equation where each component of the vector depends upon one or more parameters. The given problem presents a vector equation for curve description: \( \mathbf{r}(t) = (2 - 3t) \mathbf{i} - 4t \mathbf{j} \). Here, \( \mathbf{r} \) denotes the vector dependent on the parameter \( t \).
- Unit vectors \( \mathbf{i} \) and \( \mathbf{j} \) represent the x and y axes, respectively.
- The component equations \( (2 - 3t) \mathbf{i} \) and \( -4t \mathbf{j} \) describe motion along each axis.
Cartesian Coordinates
Cartesian coordinates provide a way of expressing each point in an n-dimensional space as an ordered sequence of numbers, commonly using two-dimensional (2D) for simplicity. The vector given translates into Cartesian coordinates as parametric equations relating to \( t \), namely \( x = 2 - 3t \) and \( y = -4t \).
- These equations simplify the process of graphing since each value of \( t \) corresponds to a point \( (x, y) \) in the plane.
- Cartesian coordinates make it easier to visualize complex mathematical descriptions.
Line Equation
A line equation in its simplest form, \( y = mx + b \), shows the relationship between each point along a straight line. In our vector problem, we derive a single line equation that defines the trajectory described by the vector equation. Through parameter elimination and transformations, we get:
- \( y = \frac{4}{3}x - \frac{8}{3} \) in slope-intercept form.
- The slope \( m = \frac{4}{3} \) conveys the steepness and direction of the line.
- The y-intercept \( b = -\frac{8}{3} \) indicates where the line crosses the y-axis.
Parameter Elimination
Parameter elimination involves removing the parameter from parametric equations to connect them as a single, non-parametric equation. From our solution, we took the equations \( x = 2 - 3t \) and \( y = -4t \) and made \( t \) the subject in terms of \( y \): \( t = -\frac{y}{4} \), substituting into the equation for \( x \).
Steps to Eliminate:
Steps to Eliminate:
- Solve one equation for the parameter \( t \).
- Substitute this expression into the other equation.
- Simplify to obtain a familiar form, such as \( y = mx + b \).