mick wrote:

> Help!
>
> I have drawn a parabolic shape using the formula y = X^2
>
> The parabola is composed of spheres scaled into ellipses with the longside
> in the y direction
>
> I have been trying to rotate each ellipse so the the length is pointing in
> the direction of the parabola
>
> I need to calculate the gradient at each point. I'm no mathmatician so
> Please help

Calculus. Now I've been out of calc for all summer, but I remember the basics.

The slope of a line is determined by it's first derivative. Therefore, if
y=x^2, then the slope at any given point = 2x.

ie: The slope a y=-10 is -20 (ie: down 20 units for every unit to the right)
at y=1 the slope is 2, and at y=0 the slope is 0 (ie: flat)

Am I wrong? I feel this is right...

It's been too long....

Simon
http://home.istar.ca/~sdevet

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