Normal line motion

A point moves along a normal to a curve with given rate information; find the rate of change of coordinates along the normal.

1 questions · Standard +0.3

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CAIE P1 2023 November Q9
8 marks Standard +0.3
9 A curve has equation \(y = 2 x ^ { \frac { 1 } { 2 } } - 1\).
  1. Find the equation of the normal to the curve at the point \(A ( 4,3 )\), giving your answer in the form \(y = m x + c\).
    A point is moving along the curve \(y = 2 x ^ { \frac { 1 } { 2 } } - 1\) in such a way that at \(A\) the rate of increase of the \(x\)-coordinate is \(3 \mathrm {~cm} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\).
  2. Find the rate of increase of the \(y\)-coordinate at \(A\).
    At \(A\) the moving point suddenly changes direction and speed, and moves down the normal in such a way that the rate of decrease of the \(y\)-coordinate is constant at \(5 \mathrm {~cm} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\).
  3. As the point moves down the normal, find the rate of change of its \(x\)-coordinate.