Orthogonal Trajectories:

In this lecture we study the applications of the first order linear differential equations,
particularly orthogonal trajectories.
Now, tell me what is trajectory? Anyone know? If you know then it is good and if not
then do not worry about, I explain it.
Trajectory:
Trajectory is a path, in mathematics it is a geometrical shape of the
function, and in differential equation it is a geometrical shape of the particular solution of
differential equations.
Now, we define the precise definition of trajectory, A curve which cuts given family of
curves according to some special law is called as a trajectory. For example

Trajectory
In the above figure the curve shape is a trajectory that cuts family of curves (straight
lines).
Orthogonal trajectory:
A curve that cuts every member of given family of curves
o
Orthogonally or at 90 is called an orthogonal trajectory. For example

Here it is very much clear that the red curve (orthogonal trajectory) is cutting to each
member of family of blue curves orthogonally, that is at 90o.
Note:

In the above figure the square box indicates that the angle at the point of
intersection of each curve with the orthogonal trajectory is of 90o.
In the study of calculus, if two curves are orthogonal to each other then the
product of their slopes must be equal to 1 . That is the product of their first
derivatives is equal to 1 . Moreover, the derivative (slope) of the first

derivative is the negative reciprocal of the other. In the following

examples, we elaborate this concept in detail.
In calculus we have studied that, the first derivative always calculate the
slope of the curve at the specific point.

Now, we study how to calculate the slope of the curve using the first derivative.
For example we choose a very simple example to calculate the slope:
x y 1 4 1
First write above in terms of y 1 as;
y1 4 x
Now differentiate above with respect to x , we have
d
d
y1
4 x

dx
dx
d
d

4 x
dx
dx
0 1
d
y 1 1
dx
Here the first derivative is equal to 1 ; hence the slope is 1 .
Now we consider another example:
x y 2 4 2
First write above in terms of y 2 as;
y2 4 x
Now differentiate above with respect to x , we have
d
d
y2
4 x

dx
dx
d
d

4 x
dx
dx
0 1
d
y2 1
dx
Here the first derivative is equal to1; hence the slope is1.
Note:

1 and 2 are orthogonal

to each other. Because the product of their slopes is

equal to 1 .

d
d
y 1 y 2 1 1

dx
I mean to say dx
1

Definitely both 1 and 2 intersects to each other at 90o.

Observe the geometrical picture of 1 and 2 .

90o

Now, we consider some more examples to know about orthogonal trajectories.

Followings are the equations of different curves:
y1 4 x
y2 5 x
y3 6 x
y4 7 x
y 4x
Assume that the above four equations are the solutions of a differential equation and the
last one y 4 x is a solution of another differential equation. Definitely, y 4 x is
an orthogonal trajectory of the above four equations. See the graphical picture:
1 2

y 4x

1 0
8
6
4
2

Exercise:

Show that y 4 x is orthogonal to the following equations:

y1 4 x
y2 5 x
y3 6 x
y4 7 x