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Applications of Vectors: Parameterized Curves

Calculus: Multivariable, McCallum, Hughes-Hallett, et al.
August 26, 2019

Unlike in 2 - space, an equation such as \(y=x\) no longer defines a curve in 3 - space — it defines a surface. This leads to the following problem: how do we represent curves, or paths, in \(n\)-dimensional space, such as a flight path in 3 - space? The standard answer to this question is to use a parameterization.

This worksheet reviews the basic definitions and terminology of parameterized curves, explains how vectors can be used to represent them, and explores some common strategies to parameterize curves.