[Math] Show that a space curve lies entirely on a plane.

calculusmultivariable-calculusvectors

If we have a vector function $r(t) = (4\cos t-1, 6-5\sin t, -3\cos t+1)$, how can I show that it lies entirely on a plane? The only thing I can think of doing is checking if the bi-normal vector $B(t) = T(t) \times N(t)$ is constant. I'm not really sure if my reasoning is correct and it's difficult to word but ill give it a go:

The bi-normal vector is orthogonal to both $T(t)$ and N(t)$ so if this points in the same direction regardless of where we are on the curve, we have the bi-normal vector being the vector orthogonal to the plane in which the curve lies.

Is there an easier way to do this? Because computing the bi-normal vector is quite a long process. Thanks.

Best Answer

Frenet-Serret relations. Compute Torsion. Necessary/sufficient condition for a space curve to be in a plane is that torsion must vanish.