# How do you find the direction a parametrized curve is traced?

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• January 24th 2010, 08:43 PM
-DQ-
How do you find the direction a parametrized curve is traced?
It asked which direction the following was traced.

x=t
y= sqrt (3-t)

Interval: t <= 3.

But which direction, either right or left? .. is this even possible?
• January 24th 2010, 08:49 PM
VonNemo19
Quote:

Originally Posted by -DQ-
It asked which direction the following was traced.

x=t
y= sqrt (3-t)

Interval: t <= 3.

But which direction, either right or left? .. is this even possible?

Do you mean orientation when you say direction?
• January 25th 2010, 02:22 AM
-DQ-
I suppose, though the question reads 'direction' the answer being either to the left or to the right.
• January 25th 2010, 04:58 AM
HallsofIvy
Quote:

Originally Posted by -DQ-
It asked which direction the following was traced.

x=t
y= sqrt (3-t)

Interval: t <= 3.

But which direction, either right or left? .. is this even possible?

$dx/dt= 1$ which is positive. $\frac{dy}{dt}= \frac{3}{2\sqrt{3-t}}$ which is also positive. The curve will be traced in the direction up and to the right.