Parametric Equations

Dr. Maslan Osman

UTM
 Introduction
Some curves in the plane can be described as
functions.

y  f (x)
 Others...
cannot be described as functions.
Ways to Describe a Curve in the
Plane
An equation in two variables
Example: x  y  2 x  6 y  8  0
2 2

This equation
describes a
circle.
 A Polar Equation
r 

This polar equation

describes a double spiral.

We’ll study polar

curves later.
 Parametric Equations

Example: x  t  2t
2

y  t 1
The “parameter’’ is t.

It does not appear in the graph of the curve!

 Why?
The x coordinates of points on the curve
are given by a function.

x  t  2t
2

The y coordinates of points on the

curve are given by a function.
y  t 1
Two Functions, One Curve?

Yes. If x  t 2  2t and y  t  1

then in the xy-plane the curve looks like

this, for values of t from 0 to 10...
 Why use parametric equations?

• Use them to describe curves in the plane

when one function won’t do.
• Use them to describe paths.
 Paths?
A path is a curve, together with a journey
traced along the curve.
 Huh?
When we write

x  t  2t
2

y  t 1
we might think of x as the x-coordinate
of the position on the path at time t
and y as the y-coordinate
of the position on the path at time t.
From that point of view...

The path described by

x  t  2t
2

y  t 1
is a particular route along the curve.
As t increases
from 0, x first
decreases,
then increases. Path moves right!

Path moves left!

 More Paths
To designate one route around the unit
circle use

x  cos(t )
y  sin( t )
That Takes Us...

counterclockwise from (1,0).

 Where do you get that?
Think of t as an angle.
If it starts at zero, and increases to 2 ,
then the path starts at t=0, where
x  cos(0)  1, and y  sin(0)  0.
To start at (0,1)...

Use

x  sin( t )
y  cos(t )
That Gives Us...
 How Do You Find The Path
• Plot points for various values of t, being
careful to notice what range of values t
should assume
• Eliminate the parameter and find one
equation relating x and y
• Use the TI82/83 in parametric mode
 Plotting Points
• Note the direction the path takes
• Use calculus to find
– maximum points
– minimum points
– points where the path changes direction
• Example: Consider the curve given by

x  t  1, y  2t ,  5  t  5
2
 Consider
x  t  1, y  2t ,  5  t  5
2

• The parameter t ranges from -5 to 5 so the

first point on the path is (26, -10) and the
last point on the path is (26, 10)
• x decreases on the t interval (-5,0) and
increases on the t interval (0,5). (How can
we tell that?)
• y is increasing on the entire t interval (-5,5).
(How can we tell that?)
 Note Further
x  t  1, y  2t ,  5  t  5
2

• x has a minimum when t=0 so the point

farthest to the left on the path is (1,0).
• x is maximal at the endpoints of the interval
[-5,5], so the points on the path farthest to
the right are the starting and ending points,
(26, -10) and (26,10).
• The lowest point on the path is (26,-10) and
the highest point is (26,10).
 Eliminate the Parameter
Still use x  t  1, y  2t ,  5  t  5
2

Solve one of the equations for t

Here we get t=y/2
Substitute into the other equation
Here we get
x  ( y / 2)  1 or x  ( y / 4)  1
2 2
 Using the TI82
• Change mode to PAR (third row)
• Mash y= button
• Enter x as a function of t, hit enter
• Enter y as a function of t, hit enter
• Check the window settings, after
determining the maximum and minimum
values for x and y
 Some Questions
• What could you do in the last example to
reverse the direction of the path?
• What could you do to restrict or to enlarge
the path in the last example?
• How can you cook up parametric equations
that will describe a path along a given
curve? (See the cycloid on the Web.)
 Web Resources
• MathView Notebook on your instructor’s
site (Use Internet Explorer to avoid
glitches!)
• IES Web
 Summary
• Use parametric equations for a curve not
given by a function.
• Use parametric equations to describe paths.
• Each coordinate requires one function.
• The parameter may be time, angle, or
something else altogether...