Problem 531
Hard Tangents, Normals, and Asymptotes

Find the equations of the tangent and normal to each

Find the equations of the tangent and normal to each curve at the given parameter value. 1° $x=\ln(\cos t)+1,\ y=\tan t+\cot t,\ t=\dfrac\pi4$. 2° $x=\sin t,\ y=a^{t},\ t=0$.

Explanation of Method

Two independent parametric problems, each a routine application of dy/dx = ẏ/ẋ.

Step 1: Part 1°: point and derivatives

At $t=\dfrac\pi4$: $x=\ln\dfrac1{\sqrt2}+1 = 1-\dfrac{\ln2}{2}$, $y=1+1=2$. Point $P=\left(1-\dfrac{\ln2}2,\,2\right)$.

\[ \dot x = -\tan t, \qquad \dot y = \sec^{2}t-\csc^{2}t. \tag{1} \]

Step 2: Part 1°: slope at $t=\pi/4$

\[ \dot x\!\left(\tfrac\pi4\right) = -1, \qquad \dot y\!\left(\tfrac\pi4\right) = 2-2 = 0 \;\Longrightarrow\; k_{t}=\frac{0}{-1}=0. \tag{2} \]

The tangent is horizontal; the normal is vertical.

\[\text{Tangent: } y=2; \qquad \text{Normal: } x = 1-\frac{\ln2}{2}\]

Step 3: Part 2°: point and derivatives

At $t=0$: $x=0$, $y=a^{0}=1$. Point $(0,1)$.

\[ \dot x = \cos t, \qquad \dot y = a^{t}\ln a, \qquad \dot x(0)=1,\ \ \dot y(0)=\ln a. \tag{3} \]

Step 4: Part 2°: slope and lines

\[ k_{t} = \ln a, \qquad k_{n} = -\frac{1}{\ln a}\ \ (a\neq1). \tag{4} \]

\[\text{Tangent: } y = x\ln a+1; \qquad \text{Normal: } y = 1-\frac{x}{\ln a}\]

Step 5: Verification

\[1^\circ\text{: } \dot y\!\left(\tfrac\pi4\right)=\sec^2\tfrac\pi4-\csc^2\tfrac\pi4=2-2=0\ \checkmark\]

\[2^\circ\text{: tangent and normal at } (0,1) \text{ have slopes } \ln a \text{ and } -1/\ln a,\text{ product } -1\ \checkmark\]


Result

Final answer:

\[\boxed{\,\text{Tangent: } y=2; \qquad \text{Normal: } x = 1-\frac{\ln2}{2}\,}\]

Final answer:

\[\boxed{\,\text{Tangent: } y = x\ln a+1; \qquad \text{Normal: } y = 1-\frac{x}{\ln a}\,}\]

Final answer:

\[\boxed{\,\begin{aligned} &1^{\circ}\ \bigl(t=\tfrac\pi4\bigr)\colon && t\colon y=2, \quad n\colon x=1-\tfrac{\ln2}2;\\[4pt] &2^{\circ}\ (t=0)\colon && t\colon y=x\ln a+1, \quad n\colon y=1-\tfrac{x}{\ln a}. \end{aligned}\,}\]