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Summary
Parametric equations
It is a common practice in mathematics to express two related variables, say
and
or
, so that
x=f ( t ) , y =g(t)
x=f ( ) , y=g()
or
is called the
parameter.
Example 1
Find the Cartesian equation of the curve whose parametric equations are
x=1+t , y=t 2
Rearranging the first equation, we get
that
y=t
, it follows
y=( x1 )2 .
Example 2
Find the Cartesian equation of the curve whose parametric equations are
x=sin , y=cos 2
y=cos 2
y=12sin 2
y=12 x 2
Exercises
Find the Cartesian equation of the curves whose parametric equations are:
1.
2.
x=2 t , y=t +2
x=t , y=
1
t
3.
x=t+ 3, y =t 25
4.
x 2=4 ay
parametric equations:
x=2 at y=at
The point
(2 at , a t 2)
t .
Chords of a parabola
Suppose that
parabola
P(2 ap , a p )
and
Q(2 aq , a q )
x 2=4 ay .
Gradient of chord:
m=
Equation of chord:
y 2 y 1
x 2x 1
ap 2aq 2
2 ap2 aq
a ( pq )( p+q )
2 a ( pq )
1
( p+q)
2
y y 1=m(x x1 )
1
ya p2 = ( p+ q ) ( x2 ap )
2
1
ya p2 = ( p+ a ) x a p 2apq
2
1
2
a p + y= ( p+q ) xapq
2
p and
PQ
is the same
QP .)
Focal chord
A focal chord is a chord that passes through the focus of a parabola. Substituting
(0, a)
a=0apq
PQ
pq=1
pq=1 .
P ( 2 ap , a p2 )
dy dy /dp
=
dx dx/dp
dy 2 ap
=
dx 2 a
x =4 ay
dy
=p
dx
P(2 ap , a p 2)
is
p .
y y 1=m ( xx 1 )
ya p2 =p ( x2 ap )
The tangent at
ya p2 =px2a p2
P(2 ap , a p 2)
is
y= pxa p2
y= pxa p2
dy 6 p
= = p Equation of tangent:
dx 6
y3 p2= p ( x6 p )
b) Substutiting
y= px3 p2
A (2,1) ,
1=2 p3 p 2
3 p 22 p1=0
( 3 p+ 1 )( p1 )=0
p=1p=
1
( 6,3 )(2, )
3
y=x3
y=
( )
1
1
x3
3
3
y=
1
(x +1)
3
and
meet at
(a ( p+q ) , apq) .
1
p
Equation of normal:
ya p2 =
1
( x2 ap )
p
pya p3=x+ 2 ap
x+ py=2ap +a p3
1
3
P ( x1 , y 1)
Answers to exercises
1.
2.
2 y=x+ 4
y=
1
x
3.
y=x 26 x +4
4.
x 2+ y 2 =4
x =4 ay