Parametric Equations

Aim: To learn what parametric equations are, how to use them and how to graph them.

Do Now:
1) Create a Table for the given values of t
x=t+5
y=(t^2)+1
t={-2,-1,0,1,2}

2)Find 4 points (x,y) in the pair of equations by choosing your own values of t
x=3t-1
y=2t+1

3)Determine whether the graph of each pair of parametric equations is a line, parabola or
semicircle.
a. x=t y=(t^2)+3t=1
b.x=t+1 y=t-1
c. x=t y=sqrt(4-t^2)

4)Write the equation, express y in terms of x

a. x=t y=3(t^2)+2t+1
b. x=(t+1)/2 y=(t-1)/3

Go Over Do Now

Do Now:
1)
t = -2 , x = 3 , y = 5
t = -1 , x = 4 , y = 2
t=0,x=5,y=1
t=1,x=6,y=2
t=2,x=7,y=5

2) ex. Take t = {0,1,2,3}

t = 0, (x,y) = (-1,1)
t = 1 , (x,y) = (2,3)
t = 2 , (x,y) = (5,5)
t = 3 , (x,y) = (8,7)

3)
a) Parabola
b) Line
c) Semi-Circle

4)
 a) y = 3x^2 + 2x + 1
b) y = 2(x-1)/3

Start Lesson, What are Parametric equations?

A graph is said to be parameterized if the (x,y) coordinates are both represented as

functions of variable t.
x=f(t) y=g(t) with a specific domain of t
Any graph can be paramatized. An example is x=t y=t^2
(Have students take out their calculators and show them how to graph these equations)
Ask what the graph looks like?
The graph is of y=x^2. In this graph we set up no restrictions on the parameter so the
graph was identical to the function y=x^2. But wee can set up restrictions on t. Let say t
lies in the interval [-1,2]. (Graph) Now when we graph we are parameterizing part of the
function.

t is very often used to denote time. Lets do this example together

Projectile Motion:
Graph the position of a ball kicked at an angle of 51 degrees with an initial velocity of 39
feet per second. (Ignore air resistance.) What is the maximum height and when is it
reached? How far away and when does the ball strike the ground?

If (V initial) is the initial velocity and theta is the angle, then the horizontal component of
the position of the ball as a function of time is described by
X(t) = tVcos(theta)
The vertical component of the position of the ball as a function of time is described by
Y(t) = -16t^2 + tVsin(theta)

Procedure in Calculator: 1. press 2nd (Mode). Select Param. and Degree MODE.
2. Press (Graph). Select <FORMAT>. Select DrawLine and RectGC
3. Select <E(t) = > from the GRAPH menu. Enter the expressions to define the
parametric equation in terms of t.

X(t) = 39tcos51
Y(t) = 39tsin51- 16t^2

4. Select <RANGE>. Set the RANGE variables.

tMin = 0
tMax = 2.5
tStep = .02
xMin = -5
xMax = 50
xScl = 5
yMin = -5
yMax = 20
yScl = 5

5. Select <TRACE> to graph the position of the ball as a function of time and to explore
the graph. The values for x, y, and t are displayed at the bottom of the screen. These
values change as you trace the graph. Move the cursor along the path of the ball to
investigate these values.
Do Now:
1) Create a Table for the given values of t
x=t+5
y=(t^2)+1
t={-2,-1,0,1,2}

2)Find 4 points (x,y) in the pair of equations by choosing your own values of t
x=3t-1
y=2t+1

3)Determine whether the graph of each pair of parametric equations is a line, parabola or
semicircle.
a. x=t y=(t^2)+3t=1
b.x=t+1 y=t-1
c. x=t y=sqrt(4-t^2)

4)Write the equation, express y in terms of x

a. x=t y=3(t^2)+2t+1
b. x=(t+1)/2 y=(t-1)/3
Homework Problem:
A skateboarder goes off a ramp at a speed of 15.6 meters per second. The angle of elevation of
the ramp is 13.5 , and the ramp's height above the ground is 1.57 meters. Give the set of
parametric equations for the skater's jump. Find the horizontal distance along the ground from the
ramp to the point he lands