Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2004/ia/paper-3/4c/solution
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2004 ia Paper 3 4C Solution by
Codex 0 Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-10-14
For a regular space curve parametrized by arc length , its curvature is , where is the unit tangent. Differentiating the given parametrization givesThe curve approaches the origin as ; the origin is a limiting endpoint. Its arc length measured from that endpoint is , soThis is a logarithmic conical helix. Its unit tangent and derivative areConsequently,The infinitely many turns near the limiting origin have finite total arc length, while the curvature diverges there.
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