1. ## concavity

find dy/dx and d^2/dx^2. for which values of t is the curve concave upwards?

x=2sint
y=3cost
0<t<2pi

i got (-3/4)sec^3t as d^2/dx^2. you need that to find the concavity right? but how do you do it?

2. Originally Posted by jeph
find dy/dx and d^2/dx^2. for which values of t is the curve concave upwards?

x=2sint
y=3cost
0<t<2pi

i got (-3/4)sec^3t as d^2/dx^2. you need that to find the concavity right? but how do you do it?
A function with second derivative is concave upwards on any interval
where the second derivative is >=0

RonL

3. Hello, jeph!

Find dy/dx and d²/dx².
For which values of θ is the curve concave upwards?

x = 2·sinθ, .y = 3·cosθ, .0 < θ < 2π

i got: .d²y/dx² = -¾·sec³θ . Good!

You need that to find the concavity, right?
But how do you do it?

As the Captain pointed out, the curve is concave up when d²y/dx² is positive.

So you need to solve this inequality: .-¾sec³θ .> .0
. . I'll take baby-steps . . .

Divide by -¾: .sec³θ .< .0

Take cube roots: .secθ .< .0

When is secθ negative?
. . When is 1/cosθ negative? .In Quadrants 2 and 3.

Hence, the curve is concave up for: .π/2 < θ < 3π/2

4. thanks guys! i guess that - sign got me a little confused...the < and > signs only switch when you are dividing or multiplying a negative right? these small things always slip out of my mind.....