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Math 155 Lecture Notes section 10,2

This document covers the concept of plane curves and parametric equations in mathematics, specifically focusing on curves represented by systems of equations in two variables. It includes examples of parametric equations, instructions for sketching curves, and methods for eliminating parameters to find corresponding rectangular equations. Additionally, it encourages the use of graphing utilities to confirm results.

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12 views

Math 155 Lecture Notes section 10,2

This document covers the concept of plane curves and parametric equations in mathematics, specifically focusing on curves represented by systems of equations in two variables. It includes examples of parametric equations, instructions for sketching curves, and methods for eliminating parameters to find corresponding rectangular equations. Additionally, it encourages the use of graphing utilities to confirm results.

Uploaded by

lpclarke
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Math 155, Lecture Notes- Bonds Name____________

Section 10.2 Plane Curves and Parametric Equations

Until now, we have been studying curves that were represented by a single
equation in two variables. In this section, we will consider curves that are defined
using three variables, and these curves will be represented by a “system” of two
equations in two variables, the one variable common to both equations is called the
parameter. The “system” of two equations in two variables will be called parameter
equations. In this section, we will write x as x=x(t) and y as y=y(t), x and y will both
be functions of t, a parametric variable. At times, we will write x as x=x(θ) and y as
y=y(θ), x and y will both be functions of θ, a parametric variable.

x (t) = t − 3t & y (t) = 3t − 9 x (t ) = 2cost & y (t) = 4 sin t x (t ) = t + 1 & y (t ) = t + 2


3 2 2
Ex. 1: Sketch the curve represented by the parametric equations and write the
corresponding rectangular equation by eliminating the parameter. Complete the
table.
⎧
⎪
⎪ x (t) = t + t
2
⎪
⎨ for t ∈ ⎡⎣−3, 3⎤⎦
⎪
⎪ y (t) = t 2 −t
⎪
⎪
⎩

t x(t) y(t)
More Ex. 1:
Ex. 2: Sketch the curve represented by the parametric equations and write the
corresponding rectangular equation by eliminating the parameter. Use your
graphing utility to confirm your result. Complete the table.
⎧
⎪
⎪ x (t) = t
2
⎪
⎨
⎪
⎪ y (t) = t
⎪
⎪
⎩

t x(t) y(t)
Ex. 3: Sketch the curve represented by the parametric equations and write the
corresponding rectangular equation by eliminating the parameter. Use your
graphing utility to confirm your result. Complete the table.
⎧
⎪
⎪ x (θ) = 3cos(θ)
⎪ ⎡ π⎤
⎨ for θ ∈ ⎢0, ⎥
⎪
⎪ y (θ) = 4sin (θ) ⎢⎣ 2 ⎥⎦
⎪
⎪
⎩

θ x(θ) y(θ)
Ex. 4: Sketch the curve represented by the parametric equations and write the
corresponding rectangular equation by eliminating the parameter. Use your
graphing utility to confirm your result. Complete the table.
⎧
⎪
⎪ x (t) = 3sin ( 2t)
⎪ ⎡ π⎤
⎨ for t ∈ ⎢0, ⎥
⎪
⎪ y (t) = 4cos( 2t) ⎢⎣ 2 ⎥⎦
⎪
⎪
⎩

t x(t) y(t)

Compare on your graphing utility:


⎧
⎪ ⎛π ⎞
⎪
⎪
⎪ x (t) = 3cos⎜⎜⎜ − 2t⎟⎟⎟
⎪
⎪ ⎝2 ⎠
⎨
⎪
⎪ ⎛π ⎞
⎪ y (t ) = 4sin ⎜⎜ − 2t⎟⎟
⎪ ⎜⎝ 2 ⎟⎠
⎪
⎪
⎩
Ex. 5: Find a set of parametric equations for the line that passes through the points
(1, 4) and (5,−2) and write the corresponding rectangular equation by eliminating
the parameter. Use your graphing utility to confirm your result.

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