PURSUIT CURVE

A moves in a due north direction at constant speed u. P describes a pursuit curve if P is always directed towards A and P moves with constant speed v. The equations of pursuit are given by y = and v t = 1 + y2 dx (Note the minus sign! In usual practice s=
b a

y u t x

(1)

(2)

1 + y2 dx

but the above integral is taken from left to right with a < b . Stated differently: if s is defined to be the arc length then a < b must hold. In our example the sense is from right to left hence the minus sign.) Isolate t from (1) and (2) t= x y y u 1 + y2 dx v (3)

t=

(4)

Equate (3) and (4) x y y = u

1 + y2 dx v

(5)

Differentiate (5) 1 + y 2 y + x y y = u v Let w = y to yield x w 1 + w2 = u v Note that w = dw 1 + w2 = a dw u . Rearrange (7) and let a = . dx v (8) (7) (6)

dx x

Integrate (8)

dw 1 + w2

= a

dx x

(9)

Both sides are standard integrals: sinh 1 w = a (ln x + k ) Isolate w. w = sinh(a (ln x + k ) = (with b = e ak ) Again antiderivatives are standard integrals
y= b x 1+a x1 a + c 2 (1+ a 2 b a ) (1 )

(10)

1 a(ln x + k ) a(ln x + k ) 1 1 e e = b xa 2 2 b xa

= y

(11)

(12)

As expected, the solution involves two arbitrary constants b and c whose values are fixed by the initial conditions. If for instance A starts at origin, and P at ( x0 , 0) . P starts off in As direction, that is horizontal so y( x0 ) = 0 . It can be easily seen from (11) that b = that c = x0 x0 . 2 (1 a ) 2 (1 + a ) 1 a . Go for the positive solution to find from (12) (13) x0 (14)

In the event of a = 1 instead of (11) we get w = sinh( a (ln x + k ) = 1 (ln x + k ) (ln x + k ) 1 1 e e = b x = y 2 2 b x

(15)

Whos antiderivatives are also straightforward

y= b x 2 ln x + c 4 2 b

(16)