Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2017/ib/paper-3/14g/b/solution

Assume the parametrization is and regular, so its curvature is defined. Write and . Since and , its first fundamental form is
For the unit normal , the mixed coefficient of the second fundamental form is
where the term containing twice vanishes. Also , while . Thus
The Gaussian curvature vanishes exactly when the displayed scalar triple product is zero. This is the Gaussian curvature of a ruled surface criterion; at a singular point with , curvature and the claimed equivalence are not defined.

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