Parametric 

Differentiation 12.3

Introduction
Often, the equation of a curve may not be given in Cartesian form y = f (x) but in parametric
dy
form: x = h(t), y = g(t). In this block we see how to calculate the derivative dx from a knowledge
dx dy
of the so-called parametric derivatives dt and dt . We then extend this to the determination of
d2 y
the second derivative dx 2.

Parametric functions arise often in dynamics in which the parameter t represents the time and
(x(t), y(t)) then represents the position of a particle as it varies with time.

be able to dierentiate standard functions
Prerequisites
be able to plot a curve given in parametric
Before starting this Block you should . . . form

Learning Outcomes Learning Style

After completing this Block you should be able To achieve what is expected of you . . .
to . . .
dy 2
d y
nd dx and dx 2 when the equation of a allocate sucient study time
curve is given in parametric form.

briey revise the prerequisite material

attempt every guided exercise and most

of the other exercises
1. Parametric Differentiation
In this block we consider the parametric approach to describing a curve:

x = h(t) y = g(t) t0 t t1
     

/ \

parametric equations parametric range

As various values of t are chosen within the parameter range the corresponding values of x, y
are calculated from the parametric equations. When these points are plotted on an xy plane
they trace out a curve. The Cartesian equation of this curve is obtained by eliminating the
parameter t from the parmatric equations. For example, consider the curve:

x = 2 cos t y = 2 sin t 0 t 2.

We can eliminate the tvariable in an obvious way (divide both parametric equations by 2,
square each and then add):
 x 2  y 2
+ = cos2 t + sin2 t = 1
2 2

x2 + y 2 = 4

which we recognise as the standard equation of a circle with centre at (0,0) with radius 2.
In a similar fashion the parametric equations

x = 2t y = 4t2 <t<

describes a parabola. This follows since, eliminating the parameter t:


x x2
t= y=4 = 2x2
2 2

which we recognise as the standard equation of a parabola.

dy
The question we wish to address in this block is how do we obtain the derivative dx
if a curve
is given in parametric form? To answer this we note the key result in this area:

Key Point
If x = h(t) and y = g(t) then

dy dy dx
=
dx dt dt

dy
We note that this result allows the determination of dx
without the need to nd y as an explicit
function of x.

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12.3: Techniques of Dierentiation
Example Determine the equations of the tangent line to the semi-circle
x = cos t y = sin t 0t

at t = /4

Solution
The semi-circle is drawn in the gure
y

P
1/ 2

/4
x

1/ 2

We have also drawn the tangent line at t = /4 (or, equivalently, at x = cos 4 = 1 , y =

2
sin 4 = 12 .) Now
dy dy dx cos t
= = = cot t.
dx dt dt sin t


dy
Thus at t = 4 we have dx = cot 4 = 1. The equation of the tangent line is

y = mx + c

where m is the gradient of the line and c is a constant.

Clearly m = 1 (since, at the point P the line and the circle have the same gradient).
 
1 1
To nd c we note that the line passes through the point P with coordinates 2
, 2 . Hence

1 1 2
= (1) + c c=
2 2 2
Finally,
2
y = x +
2
is the equation of the tangent line at the point in question.
We should note, before proceeding, that a derivative with respect to the parameter t is often
denoted by a dot. Thus

dx dy d2 x
= x,
= y,
= x etc.
dt dt dt2

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12.3: Techniques of Dierentiation
Try each part of this exercise
dy
Find the value of dx if
x = 3t, y = t2 4t + 1
dy
Check your result by nding dx
in the normal way.

dx dy
Part (a) First nd ,
dt dt
Answer
dy
Part (b) Now obtain
dx
Answer
dy
Part (c) Now nd y explicitly as a function of x. Then, nd directly.
dx
Answer

Try each part of this exercise

dy
Find the value of dx at t = 2 if

x = 3t 4 sin t y = t2 + t cos t 0t4

dx dy
Part (a) First nd ,
dt dt
Answer
dy
Part (b) Now obtain
dx
Answer
dy
Part (c) Finally, substitute t = 2 to nd dx
at this value of t.
Answer

2. Higher Derivatives
dy
Having found the derivative dx using parametric dierentiation we now ask how we might
d2 y
determine the second derivative dx2 .
By denition: 
d2 y d dy
=
dx2 dx dx
But 
dy y d2 y d y
= and so =
dx x dx2 dx x
Now xy is a function of t so we can change the derivative with respect to x into a derivative with
respect to t since   
d dy d dy dt
=
dx dx dt dx dx

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12.3: Techniques of Dierentiation
from the function of a function rule (see block 12.2).
But, dierentiating the quotient y/
x we have

d y y y
x x
= 2
dt x x

and
dt 1 1
=
dx  =
dx dt
x
so nally:
d2 y y y
x x
2
= 3
dx x

Key Point
If x = h(t), y = g(t) then the rst and second derivatives of y with respect to x are:

dy y d2 y y y
x x
= and 2
= 3
dx x dx x

Example If the parametric equations of a curve are

x = 2t, y = t2 3, 4 < t < 4
dy d2 y
determine dx
and dx2
.

Solution
Here x = 2, y = 2t
dy y 2t
= = = t.
dx x 2
Also x = 0, y = 2
d2 y 2(2) 2t(0) 1
2
= 3
=
dx (2) 2
x2
These results can easily be checked in this case since t = x
2
and y = t2 3 which imply y = 4
3.
Therefore the derivatives can be obtained directly:

dy 2x x d2 y 1
= = and 2
= .
dx 4 2 dx 2

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12.3: Techniques of Dierentiation
More exercises for you to try
dy d2 y
1. For the following sets of parametric equations nd dx
and dx2

(a) x = 3t2 y = 4t3

(b) x = 4 t2 y = t2 + 4t
(c) x = t2 et y=t

2. Find the equation of the tangent line to the curve:

x = 1 + 3 sin t y = 2 5 cos t at t =
6
Answer

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12.3: Techniques of Dierentiation
 End of Block 12.3

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12.3: Techniques of Dierentiation
dx dy
= 3, = 2t 4
dt dt
Back to the theory

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12.3: Techniques of Dierentiation
dy dy dx 2t 4 2 4 dy y 2t 4 2 4
= = = t , or, using the dot notation = = = t
dx dt dt 3 3 3 dx x 3 3 3
Back to the theory

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12.3: Techniques of Dierentiation
 x x2 4x dy 2x 4 2t 4
t= y= + 1. Finally: = = .
3 9 3 dx 9 3 3 3
Back to the theory

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12.3: Techniques of Dierentiation
dx dy
= 3 4 cos t = 2t + cos t t sin t
dt dt
Back to the theory

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12.3: Techniques of Dierentiation
dy
dx
= dy
dt
dx
dt
= 2t+cos tt sin t
34 cos t
or, using the dot notation, dy
dx
= y
x
= 2t+cos tt sin t
34 cos t

Back to the theory

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12.3: Techniques of Dierentiation
dy  4+1 5
= = = 0.523
dx t=2 3 4 3 4
Back to the theory

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12.3: Techniques of Dierentiation
 dy d2 y 1
1. (a) dx
= 2t, dx2
= 3t
.
d2 y
(b) dy
dx
= 1 2t , dx2
= t13
2t (t2 +4t+2)
et d2 y
(c) dy
dx
= 2t+t2
, dx2
= e (t+2)3 t3

2. x = 3 cos t y = +5 sin t

dy 

dy
dx
= 53 tan t dx t=/6
= 53 tan 6 = 5 1
3 3
= 5 3
9

5 3
The equation of the tangent line is y = mx + c where m = 9
.

Now the line passes through the point x = 1 + 3 sin 6 = 1 + 32 , y = 2 5 2
3
and so

3 5 3 3 35 3
25 = (1 + ) + c c=2
2 9 2 9

Back to the theory

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12.3: Techniques of Dierentiation