9.4 Defining and Differentiating Vector-Valued Functions

So far in this unit, we’ve been delving deep into the functions of parametric equations. Now, we’re taking this knowledge and talking about vector-valued functions!

↖️ Vector Review

A vector is a quantity that has both direction and magnitude. Magnitude refers to the length of a vector. All vectors have horizontal and vertical components. They are written and defined based on these two components. For example, a vector with a horizontal component of 5 and a vertical component of 4 would be written as $<5, 4>$ . While there are a couple of other methods of writing vectors, this kind of notation is used most frequently on the AP Calculus BC Exam!

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Every vector is drawn with a head and a tail. The tail of the vector is the point at which the vector originates. If there is no additional information given, we can assume that the vector originates from (0,0) and that the tail of the vector is at (0,0). The head of the vector is the final point of the vector. In diagrams, the head of the vector is represented with an arrowhead.

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The magnitude of the vector can be calculated based on the horizontal and vertical components of the vector. Let’s find the magnitude of the vector we used earlier, $<5,4>$. This vector has a horizontal component of 5 and a vertical component of 4. We can find the magnitude by using the Pythagorean theorem and calculating for the hypotenuse. The Pythagorean theorem is $a^2 + b^2=c^2$. In this scenario, $a = 5$ and $b=4$. Therefore, $c= \sqrt{41}$. The magnitude of our vector is $\sqrt{41}$. The magnitude of the vector is written as ‖𝑣‖.

We can also calculate the direction of the vector from its horizontal and vertical components. We know that $tan(θ)= \frac{\text{vertical component}}{\text{horizontal component}}$. For our example vector from earlier, $tan(θ)= \tfrac{4}{5}$. Using inverse tangent, we can calculate that $θ= 0.675$.

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We have now seen that we can calculate the magnitude and direction of a vector given its horizontal and vertical components. Similarly, we can also calculate the horizontal and vertical components from the magnitude and direction of the vector.

📐 Vector-Valued Functions

Think of $r(t)$ as a vector composed of the two parametric functions $f(t)$ and $g(t)$. We can write the vector as $r(t)=<f(t), g(t)>.$ If we wanted to differentiate this vector-valued function, we can write the derivative of the function as $r'(t) = <f'(t), g'(t)>$. Normal derivation rules apply to vector-valued functions! These rules are summarized in the image below.

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✏️ Vector-Valued Functions Walkthrough

Let’s do a quick example!

Find $r'(4).$

Since we are asked to find $r'(4)$, let’s begin by finding $r'(t)$. We do this by taking the derivative of each of the components. We can start with the horizontal component, $4t^2$. The derivative of $4t^2$ with respect to $t$ is $8t$.

The vertical component of $r(t)$ is $7t^7$. The derivative of $7t^7$ with respect to $t$ is $49t^6$.

Now, let’s put it all together!

We can then substitute $t$ for $4$ to find $r’(4)$.

And now we simplify!

Now that we know a bit about vectors and vector-valued functions, let’s amp it up and try some practice problems :)

🤔 Practice Problems with Vector-Valued Functions

We have to two practice problems embedded in this study guide for you!

💭 Vector Practice Problem 1

Find $r'(2)$ given that

Let’s begin by finding the derivative of each of the components. We can start with the horizontal component, $4sin(5t)$. The derivative of $4sin(5t)$ with respect to $t$ is $20cos(5t)$.

The vertical component of $r(t)$ is $7cos(2t^2)$. The derivative of $7cos(2t^2)$ with respect to $t$ is $-28tsin(2t^2)$.

Now, let’s put it all together!

We can then substitute $t$ for $2$.

All that’s left to do is simplify!

Great work! Let’s try another practice problem.

💭 Vector Practice Problem 2

A particle moves along a path so that its position at any given time where t≥0 is given by $(4sin(t), 4 cos(t)).$ Find the particle’s velocity vector at $t=\tfrac{π}{4}$.

Here’s the solution!

A particle’s velocity vector is the first derivative of its position vector.

Therefore, $v(t)=<\tfrac{dx}{dt}, \tfrac{dy}{dt}>$. To find the particle’s velocity vector at $t=\tfrac{π}{4}$, we can begin by taking the first derivative of the position vector.

We can start with the horizontal component, $4sin(t)$. The derivative of $4sin(t)$ with respect to $t$ is $4cos(t)$.

The vertical component of $r(t)$ is $4cos(t)$. The derivative of $4cos(t)$ with respect to $t$ is $-4sin(t)$.

Like earlier, let’s put it all together!

We can then substitute $t$ for $\tfrac{π}{4}$.

All that’s left to do is simplify!

As you keep practicing, solving these problems will get easier and easier! Like always, practice is key. 🔑

You got this!!