AQA Core 4 Parametric equations
Section 1: Using parametric equations
Notes and Examples
These notes contain subsections on
Parametric equations
Sketching a parametric curve
Finding the cartesian equation of a curve
Parametric equations involving trigonometric functions
Parametric equations
An equation like y = 5x + 1 or y 3sin x 4cos x or x 2 y 2 1 is called a cartesian
equation. A cartesian equation gives a direct relationship between x and y.
In parametric equations x and y are both defined in terms of a third variable
(parameter) usually t or .
For example x t , y t 2
is a pair of parametric equations
and
x cos , y sin is also a pair of parametric equations.
Parametric equations can be used for a complicated curve which doesnt have a
simple Cartesian equation.
Sketching a parametric curve
To sketch a curve given its parametric equations follow these steps.
Step 1
Make a table like this one:
t or
x
y
Step 2
Choose values of t or (these will be usually be given to you)
Step 3
Work out the corresponding values of x and y using the
parametric equations.
Step 4
Plot the (x, y) coordinates. Join them up in a smooth curve.
These examples show you how to do this.
Example 1
A curve has the parametric equations x 3t , y t 2 .
Sketch the curve for 4 t 4
1 of 5
18/03/13 MEI
AQA C4 Parametric equations 1 Notes and Examples
Solution
t -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4
x -12 -9 -6 -3 0 3 6 9 12
y 16 9 4 1 0 1 4 9 16
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
x
10
10
Finding the cartesian equation of a curve
To find the cartesian equation of a curve from its parametric equations you need to
eliminate the parameter.
Note: it is not always possible to find the cartesian equation of a curve defined
parametrically.
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Make t the subject of one of the parametric equations.
Substitute your equation for t into the other parametric
equation.
Simplify.
Example 2
Find the cartesian equation of the curve defined by the parametric equations
x 3t 2, y 1 t 2
Solution
x2
3
Make t the subject of x 3t 2 :
Substitute into y 1 t :
x2
y 1
x2
y 1
3
2
( x 2)
y 1
9
Simplify:
2 of 5
18/03/13 MEI
AQA C4 Parametric equations 1 Notes and Examples
Sometimes it is easier to rearrange both equations to give an expression for t, as
shown in the next example.
Example 3
Find the cartesian equation of the curve defined by the parametric equations
t
t
x
, y
t 1
t 1
Solution
t
x(t 1) t
x
t 1
tx x t
t tx x
t (1 x) x
x
t
1 x
Equating the two expressions for t:
t
y (t 1) t
t 1
ty y t
ty t y
t ( y 1) y
y
t
y 1
x
y
1 x y 1
x( y 1) y (1 x)
xy x y xy
2 xy y x
y (2 x 1) x
x
y
2x 1
y
Parametric equations involving trigonometric functions
Parametric equations often involve trigonometric functions.
Example 4
A curve has the parametric equations x 1 2cos , y 3 2sin .
Sketch the curve for 0 360 .
Solution
0 30 60 90 120
2
1
0
x 3 2.73
4
4.73 5 4.73
y 3
150
-0.73
4
180
-1
3
3 of 5
210
-0.73
2
240
0
1.27
270
1
1
300
2
1.27
330
2.73
2
18/03/13 MEI
360
3
3
AQA C4 Parametric equations 1 Notes and Examples
6
x
2
If you want to find the Cartesian equation for parametric equations involving
trigonometric functions, you will probably need to use a trigonometric identity.
You might need to use any of the Pythagorean identities:
sin 2 cos 2 1
tan 2 1 sec 2
1 cot 2 cosec 2
Alternatively, you might need the double angle or compound angle formulae.
Example 5
Find the cartesian equation of the curve defined by the parametric equations
x 4 cos , y 2cos 2
Solution
The identity which connects cos 2 and cos is
cos 2 2cos2 1
x 4 cos cos x 4
y
y 2cos 2 cos 2
2
Substitute and into
y
2( x 4)2 1
2
Simplify
y 4( x 4)2 2
A circle with radius r and centre (0, 0) has parametric equations:
x r cos
y r sin
A circle with radius r and centre (a, b) has parametric equations:
4 of 5
18/03/13 MEI
AQA C4 Parametric equations 1 Notes and Examples
x a r cos
y b r sin
Example 6
(i) Find the cartesian equation of the curve given by the parametric equations
x 2 3cos
y 3sin 1
(ii) Sketch the curve.
Solution
The trig identity sin 2 cos2 1 links sin and cos
Make cos the subject of x 2 3cos :
Make sin the subject of y 3sin 1:
x2
3
y 1
sin
3
cos
Substitute and into sin 2 cos2 1 :
x 2 y 1
1
3 3
( x 2)2 ( y 1)2
1
9
9
( x 2)2 ( y 1)2 9
2
So
So
(ii) Need to sketch a circle of radius 3 and centre (2, -1)
4
( x 2)2 ( y 1)2 9
3
2
1
4 3 2 1
1
x
1
2
3
4
5
6
An ellipse has parametric equations of the form x a cos , y b sin .
Try recreating the Parametric Equations Pictures, either on your own or with a
group of friends.
5 of 5
18/03/13 MEI
