Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2003/ia/paper-3/3a/solution
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2003 ia Paper 3 3A Solution by
Codex 0 Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-10-14
The curve is a hyperbola with two branches, vertices and , and asymptotes . It is symmetric under reflection in either coordinate axis. The requested sketch marks both vertices:
Parametrize the branches by , , for . The squared speed is , and . The reciprocal of the curvature of a plane curve is thereforeSince , with equality only at , the least radius is , attained at and .
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