AQA Core 4 Parametric equations

Section 1: Using parametric equations

Exercise
1. Find the Cartesian equations of the curves given by
(i)
x 1 t , y t 2 4
1
(ii)
x 2t 2 , y
t
(iii) x 2cos sin , y cos 2sin
2. A curve has parametric equations x = t2, y = t3.
(i)
Calculate values for x and y for values of t between 3 and +3.
(ii) Sketch the curve.
(iii) Find the Cartesian equation of the curve.
3. A curve has parametric equations x 3cos , y 2sin .

.
12

(i)

Calculate values for x and y for values of from 0 to , at intervals of

(ii)

Using what you know about angles greater than calculate values for x
and y for from to 2.
Sketch the curve.
Find the Cartesian equation of the curve.

(iii)
(iv)

1
1
4. Given the parametric equations x t , y 2 t ,
t
t
(i)
For what value of t is the curve undefined?
(ii) Find the coordinates of any points where the curve meets the coordinate
axes.
(iii) Find the Cartesian equation.
5. Sketch the curve with parametric equations 2t (t 2 1), 4t 2 , using unit values
for t between 2 and +2. By eliminating t, find the Cartesian equation of the curve.
6. A ball is struck at ground level and projected with a speed of 16 ms-1 at an angle
to the horizontal. The parametric equations of the path of the ball are given by
x 16t cos , y 16t sin 5t 2 .
(i)
By eliminating t show that the Cartesian equation of the path can be written
as a quadratic in tan .
Given that = 30,
(ii) How far does the ball travel horizontally before bouncing?
(iii) What is the maximum height attained by the ball?

1 of 1

18/03/13 MEI