Calculus 1 Differentiation of Parametric Equations

Rather than using a single equation to define two variables with respect to one another,
parametric equations exist as a set that relates the two variables to one another with respect to
a third variable. Some curves are easier to describe using a pair of parametric equations. The
co-ordinates 𝑥 and 𝑦 of the curve are given using a third variable t, such as 𝑥 = 𝑓(𝑡) and 𝑦 =
𝑔(𝑡), where 𝑡 is referred to as the parameter.

Hence, for a given value of 𝑡, a point (𝑥, 𝑦) is determined. For example, let 𝑡 be the time
and 𝑥 and 𝑦 are the positions of a particle; the parametric equations then describe the path of the
particle at different times. Parametric equations are useful in defining three-dimensional curves
and surfaces, such as determining the velocity or acceleration of a particle following a three-
dimensional path.

Engineering Department
Calculus 1 Differentiation of Parametric Equations

INTRODUCTION TO PARAMETRIC EQUATIONS

Certain mathematical functions can be expressed more simply by expressing, say, 𝑥 and
𝑦 separately in terms of a third variable. For example, 𝑦 = 𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃, 𝑥 = 𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃. Then, any
value given to 𝜃 will produce a pair of values for 𝑥 and 𝑦, which may be plotted to provide a
curve of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥).

The third variable, 𝜃, is called a parameter and the two expressions for 𝑦 and 𝑥 are
called parametric equations.

The above example of 𝑦 = 𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃 and 𝑥 = 𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃 are the parametric equations for a
circle. The equation of any point on a circle, center at the origin and of radius 𝑟 is given by:
𝑥2 + 𝑦2 = 𝑟 2.

To show that 𝑦 = 𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃 and 𝑥 = 𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃 are suitable parametric equations for such a
circle:

𝑟2 = 𝑥2 + 𝑦2

= (𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃)2 + (𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃)2

= 𝑟 2 cos 2 𝜃 + 𝑟 2 sin2 𝜃
cos2 𝜃 + sin2 𝜃 = 1
= 𝑟 2 (cos 2 𝜃 + sin2 𝜃)

= 𝑟 2 (1)

𝑟2 = 𝑟2

Engineering Department
Calculus 1 Differentiation of Parametric Equations

SOME COMMON PARAMETRIC EQUATIONS

𝑥 = 𝑎 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃
Ellipse
𝑦 = 𝑏 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃

𝑥 = 𝑎𝑡 2
Parabola
𝑦 = 2𝑎𝑡

𝑥 = 𝑎 𝑠𝑒𝑐 𝜃
Hyperbola
𝑦 = 𝑏 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝜃

𝑥 = 𝑐𝑡
Rectangular
hyperbola 𝑐
𝑦 =
𝑡

𝑥 = 𝑎(2 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2𝜃)

Cardioid
𝑦 = 𝑎(2 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛 2𝜃)

𝑥 = acos 3 𝜃
Astroid
𝑦 = 𝑎 sin3 𝜃

𝑥 = 𝑎(𝜃 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃)
Cycloid
𝑦 = 𝑎 (1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃)

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