parametric

how do i find out if a parametric function is turning left or right?
test your algorithm on these functions:

t goes from 0->360 degrees or 0->2pi radians
x=sin(t)
y=cos(t)
should always turn right.


t goes from 0->360 degrees or 0->2pi radians
x=sin(t)
y=cos(2t)
turns right from t=0 to t=pi
turns left from t=pi to t=2pi

thanks.

-marvin

Theoretically, you could find the tangent line of the point immediately before the point you want to test and plug in the poing you want to test into that (made into an inequality) to test whether it is going straight, left, or right. This could most likely be made to work on a function, but I don't feel like it right now ;)

The property of a curve which *could* tell you whether it's turning left or right is called its curvature:

Cartesian:

K = d²y/dx² / (1 + (dy/dx)²)^3/2

Parametric:

K = (x.y.. - y.x..) / (x.² + y.²)^3/2

Intrinsic:

K = d(psi)/ds

At a given point on the curve, if K is positive the curve is turning left, and if K is negative the curve is turning right. I'm not sure if this is always the case but it probably is.

Quote:

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Originally posted by TheManWhoCan

K = (x.y.. - y.x..) / (x.² + y.²)^3/2

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can you explain your syntax? what is " x.y..-y.x.. "???

I'd assume he means 'x.' is the first derivative of x, and 'x..' is the second derivative of x.

Yeah:

x. = "x-dot" = dx/dt
x.. = "x-double-dot" = d²x/dt²

thanks for the help-