This program displays a parametric curve r(t) in R3 together with its tangent vector r’(t) at a movable point. The tangent vector is computed by numerical differentiation and indicates the instantaneous direction and speed of the parametrization. The tangent vector is fundamental in differential geometry: its normalization gives the unit tangent T, the first vector of the Frenet-Serret frame.
Controls: Click and drag to orbit, scroll to zoom.
