Section 9.

1 Parametric Curves 2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

Parametric Curves
Suppose that x and y are both given as functions of a third variable t (called a parameter) by the
equations
x = f(t), y = g(t)
(called parametric equations). Each value of t determines a point (x, y), which we can plot in a
coordinate plane. As t varies, the point (x, y) = (f(t), g(t)) varies and traces out a curve C, which we call
a parametric curve.
EXAMPLE: Sketch and identify the curve dened by the parametric equations
x = cos t, y = sin t 0 t 2
Solution: If we plot points, it appears that the curve is a circle (see the gure below and page 6). We can
conrm this impression by eliminating t. If fact, we have
x
2
+ y
2
= cos
2
t + sin
2
t = 1
Thus the point (x, y) moves on a unit circle x
2
+ y
2
= 1 .
EXAMPLE: Sketch and identify the curve dened by the parametric equations
x = sin 2t, y = cos 2t 0 t 2
1
Section 9.1 Parametric Curves 2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka
EXAMPLE: Sketch and identify the curve dened by the parametric equations
x = sin 2t, y = cos 2t 0 t 2
Solution: If we plot points, it appears that the curve is a circle (see the Figure below). We can conrm
this impression by eliminating t. If fact, we have
x
2
+ y
2
= sin
2
2t + cos
2
2t = 1
Thus the point (x, y) moves on a unit circle x
2
+ y
2
= 1 .
EXAMPLE: Sketch and identify the curve dened by the parametric equations
x = 5 cos t, y = 2 sin t 0 t 2
Solution: If we plot points, it appears that the curve is an ellipse (see page 8). We can conrm this
impression by eliminating t. If fact, we have
x
2
25
+
y
2
4
=
_
x
5
_
2
+
_
y
2
_
2
= cos
2
t + sin
2
t = 1
Thus the point (x, y) moves on an ellipse
x
2
25
+
y
2
4
= 1 .
4 2 2 4
2
1
1
2
x5cost, y2sint, 0t12Pi6
EXAMPLE: Sketch and identify the curve dened by the parametric equations
x = t cos t, y = t sin t t > 0
2
Section 9.1 Parametric Curves 2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka
EXAMPLE: Sketch and identify the curve dened by the parametric equations
x = t cos t, y = t sin t t > 0
Solution: If we plot points, it appears that the curve is a spiral (see page 9). We can conrm this impression
by the following algebraic manipulations:
x
2
+ y
2
= (t cos t)
2
+ (t sin t)
2
= t
2
sin
2
t + t
2
cos
2
t = t
2
(sin
2
t + cos
2
t) = t
2
= x
2
+ y
2
= t
2
To eliminate t completely, we observe that
y
x
=
t sin t
t cos t
=
sin t
cos t
= tan t = t = arctan
_
y
x
_
Substituting this into x
2
+ y
2
= t
2
, we get x
2
+ y
2
= arctan
2
_
y
x
_
.
10 5 5 10
10
5
5
10
xt cost, yt sint, 0t12Pi4
EXAMPLE: Sketch and identify the curve dened by the parametric equations
x = t
2
+ t, y = 2t 1
3
Section 9.1 Parametric Curves 2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka
EXAMPLE: Sketch and identify the curve dened by the parametric equations
x = t
2
+ t, y = 2t 1
Solution: If we plot points, it appears that the curve is a parabola (see page 10). We can conrm this
impression by eliminating t. If fact, we have
y = 2t 1 = t =
y + 1
2
= x = t
2
+ t =
_
y + 1
2
_
2
+
y + 1
2
=
1
4
y
2
+ y +
3
4
Thus the point (x, y) moves on a parabola x =
1
4
y
2
+ y +
3
4
.
0.51.01.52.02.5
5
4
3
2
1
1
2
xt^2t, y2t1, 2t2124
EXAMPLE: Sketch and identify the curve dened by the parametric equations
x = sin
2
t, y = 2 cos t
Solution: If we plot points, it appears that the curve is a restricted parabola (see page 11). We can conrm
this impression by eliminating t. If fact, we have
y = 2 cos t = y
2
= 4 cos
2
t = 4x + y
2
= 4 sin
2
t + 4 cos
2
t = 4 = x = 1
y
2
4
We also note that 0 x 1 and 2 y 2. Thus the point (x, y) moves on the restricted parabola
x = 1
y
2
4
.
0.40.60.81.01.2
2
1
1
2
xsin^2t, y2cost, 0t12Pi6
4
Section 9.1 Parametric Curves 2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka
The Cycloid
EXAMPLE: The curve traced out by a point P on the circumference of a circle as the circle rolls along a
straight line is called a cycloid (see the Figure below). If the circle has radius r and rolls along the x-axis
and if one position of P is the origin, nd parametric equations for the cycloid.
Solution: We choose as parameter the angle of rotation of the circle ( = 0 when P is at the origin).
Suppose the circle has rotated through radians. Because the circle has been in contact with the line, we
see from the Figure below that the distance it has rolled from the origin is
|OT| = arc PT = r
Therefore, the center of the circle is C(r, r). Let the coordinates of P be (x, y). Then from the Figure
above we see that
x = |OT| |PQ| = r r sin = r( sin )
y = |TC| |QC| = r r cos = r(1 cos )
Therefore, parametric equations of the cycloid are
x = r( sin ), y = r(1 cos ) R (1)
One arch of the cycloid comes from one rotation of the circle and so is described by 0 2. Although
Equations 1 were derived from the Figure above, which illustrates the case where 0 < < /2, it can be
seen that these equations are still valid for other values of .
Although it is possible to eliminate the parameter from Equations 1, the resulting Cartesian equation in
x and y is very complicated and not as convenient to work with as the parametric equations:

x
r
+ 2
_
1
2

x
r
_
1

= cos
1
_
1
y
r
_
2
_
2
y
r

_
y
r
_
2
5
Section 9.1 Parametric Curves 2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka
Unit Circle
Parametric equations:
x = cos t, y = sin t
where t = k/6, k = 0, . . . , 12.
1.0 0.5 0.5 1.0
1.0
0.5
0.5
1.0
xcost, ysint, 0t1Pi6
1.0 0.5 0.5 1.0
1.0
0.5
0.5
1.0
xcost, ysint, 0t2Pi6
1.0 0.5 0.5 1.0
1.0
0.5
0.5
1.0
xcost, ysint, 0t3Pi6
1.0 0.5 0.5 1.0
1.0
0.5
0.5
1.0
xcost, ysint, 0t4Pi6
1.0 0.5 0.5 1.0
1.0
0.5
0.5
1.0
xcost, ysint, 0t5Pi6
1.0 0.5 0.5 1.0
1.0
0.5
0.5
1.0
xcost, ysint, 0t6Pi6
1.0 0.5 0.5 1.0
1.0
0.5
0.5
1.0
xcost, ysint, 0t7Pi6
1.0 0.5 0.5 1.0
1.0
0.5
0.5
1.0
xcost, ysint, 0t8Pi6
1.0 0.5 0.5 1.0
1.0
0.5
0.5
1.0
xcost, ysint, 0t9Pi6
1.0 0.5 0.5 1.0
1.0
0.5
0.5
1.0
xcost, ysint, 0t10Pi6
1.0 0.5 0.5 1.0
1.0
0.5
0.5
1.0
xcost, ysint, 0t11Pi6
1.0 0.5 0.5 1.0
1.0
0.5
0.5
1.0
xcost, ysint, 0t12Pi6
6
Section 9.1 Parametric Curves 2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka
Unit Circle
Parametric equations:
x = sin t, y = cos t
where t = k/6, k = 0, . . . , 12.
1.0 0.5 0.5 1.0
1.0
0.5
0.5
1.0
xsint, ycost, 0t1Pi6
1.0 0.5 0.5 1.0
1.0
0.5
0.5
1.0
xsint, ycost, 0t2Pi6
1.0 0.5 0.5 1.0
1.0
0.5
0.5
1.0
xsint, ycost, 0t3Pi6
1.0 0.5 0.5 1.0
1.0
0.5
0.5
1.0
xsint, ycost, 0t4Pi6
1.0 0.5 0.5 1.0
1.0
0.5
0.5
1.0
xsint, ycost, 0t5Pi6
1.0 0.5 0.5 1.0
1.0
0.5
0.5
1.0
xsint, ycost, 0t6Pi6
1.0 0.5 0.5 1.0
1.0
0.5
0.5
1.0
xsint, ycost, 0t7Pi6
1.0 0.5 0.5 1.0
1.0
0.5
0.5
1.0
xsint, ycost, 0t8Pi6
1.0 0.5 0.5 1.0
1.0
0.5
0.5
1.0
xsint, ycost, 0t9Pi6
1.0 0.5 0.5 1.0
1.0
0.5
0.5
1.0
xsint, ycost, 0t10Pi6
1.0 0.5 0.5 1.0
1.0
0.5
0.5
1.0
xsint, ycost, 0t11Pi6
1.0 0.5 0.5 1.0
1.0
0.5
0.5
1.0
xsint, ycost, 0t12Pi6
7
Section 9.1 Parametric Curves 2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka
Ellipse
Parametric equations:
x = 5 cos t, y = 2 sin t
where t = k/6, k = 0, . . . , 12.
4 2 2 4
2
1
1
2
x5cost, y2sint, 0t1Pi6
4 2 2 4
2
1
1
2
x5cost, y2sint, 0t2Pi6
4 2 2 4
2
1
1
2
x5cost, y2sint, 0t3Pi6
4 2 2 4
2
1
1
2
x5cost, y2sint, 0t4Pi6
4 2 2 4
2
1
1
2
x5cost, y2sint, 0t5Pi6
4 2 2 4
2
1
1
2
x5cost, y2sint, 0t6Pi6
4 2 2 4
2
1
1
2
x5cost, y2sint, 0t7Pi6
4 2 2 4
2
1
1
2
x5cost, y2sint, 0t8Pi6
4 2 2 4
2
1
1
2
x5cost, y2sint, 0t9Pi6
4 2 2 4
2
1
1
2
x5cost, y2sint, 0t10Pi6
4 2 2 4
2
1
1
2
x5cost, y2sint, 0t11Pi6
4 2 2 4
2
1
1
2
x5cost, y2sint, 0t12Pi6
8
Section 9.1 Parametric Curves 2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka
Spiral
Parametric equations:
x = t cos t, y = t sin t
where t = k/4, k = 0, . . . , 12.
1.5 1.0 0.5 0.5 1.0 1.5
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.5
1.0
1.5
xt cost, yt sint, 0t1Pi4
2 1 1 2
2
1
1
2
xt cost, yt sint, 0t2Pi4
3 2 1 1 2 3
3
2
1
1
2
3
xt cost, yt sint, 0t3Pi4
4 2 2 4
4
2
2
4
xt cost, yt sint, 0t4Pi4
4 2 2 4
4
2
2
4
xt cost, yt sint, 0t5Pi4
6 4 2 2 4 6
6
4
2
2
4
6
xt cost, yt sint, 0t6Pi4
6 4 2 2 4 6
6
4
2
2
4
6
xt cost, yt sint, 0t7Pi4
5 5
5
5
xt cost, yt sint, 0t8Pi4
5 5
5
5
xt cost, yt sint, 0t9Pi4
10 5 5 10
10
5
5
10
xt cost, yt sint, 0t10Pi4
10 5 5 10
10
5
5
10
xt cost, yt sint, 0t11Pi4
10 5 5 10
10
5
5
10
xt cost, yt sint, 0t12Pi4
9
Section 9.1 Parametric Curves 2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka
Parabola
Parametric equations:
x = t
2
+ t, y = 2t 1
where t = 2 + k/4, k = 0, . . . , 12.
0.51.01.52.02.5
5
4
3
2
1
1
2
xt^2t, y2t1, 2t214
0.51.01.52.02.5
5
4
3
2
1
1
2
xt^2t, y2t1, 2t224
0.51.01.52.02.5
5
4
3
2
1
1
2
xt^2t, y2t1, 2t234
0.51.01.52.02.5
5
4
3
2
1
1
2
xt^2t, y2t1, 2t244
0.51.01.52.02.5
5
4
3
2
1
1
2
xt^2t, y2t1, 2t254
0.51.01.52.02.5
5
4
3
2
1
1
2
xt^2t, y2t1, 2t264
0.51.01.52.02.5
5
4
3
2
1
1
2
xt^2t, y2t1, 2t274
0.51.01.52.02.5
5
4
3
2
1
1
2
xt^2t, y2t1, 2t284
0.51.01.52.02.5
5
4
3
2
1
1
2
xt^2t, y2t1, 2t294
0.51.01.52.02.5
5
4
3
2
1
1
2
xt^2t, y2t1, 2t2104
0.51.01.52.02.5
5
4
3
2
1
1
2
xt^2t, y2t1, 2t2114
0.51.01.52.02.5
5
4
3
2
1
1
2
xt^2t, y2t1, 2t2124
10
Section 9.1 Parametric Curves 2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka
Restricted Parabola
Parametric equations:
x = sin
2
t, y = 2 cos t
where t = k/6, k = 0, . . . , 12.
0.40.60.81.01.2
2
1
1
2
xsin^2t, y2cost, 0t1Pi6
0.40.60.81.01.2
2
1
1
2
xsin^2t, y2cost, 0t2Pi6
0.40.60.81.01.2
2
1
1
2
xsin^2t, y2cost, 0t3Pi6
0.40.60.81.01.2
2
1
1
2
xsin^2t, y2cost, 0t4Pi6
0.40.60.81.01.2
2
1
1
2
xsin^2t, y2cost, 0t5Pi6
0.40.60.81.01.2
2
1
1
2
xsin^2t, y2cost, 0t6Pi6
0.40.60.81.01.2
2
1
1
2
xsin^2t, y2cost, 0t7Pi6
0.40.60.81.01.2
2
1
1
2
xsin^2t, y2cost, 0t8Pi6
0.40.60.81.01.2
2
1
1
2
xsin^2t, y2cost, 0t9Pi6
0.40.60.81.01.2
2
1
1
2
xsin^2t, y2cost, 0t10Pi6
0.40.60.81.01.2
2
1
1
2
xsin^2t, y2cost, 0t11Pi6
0.40.60.81.01.2
2
1
1
2
xsin^2t, y2cost, 0t12Pi6
11
Section 9.1 Parametric Curves 2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka
Buttery Curve
Parametric equations:
x = sin t
_
e
cos t
2 cos(4t) + sin
5
_
t
12
__
, y = cos t
_
e
cos t
2 cos(4t) + sin
5
_
t
12
__
where t = k/6, k = 0, . . . , 12.
3 2 1 1 2 3
3
2
1
1
2
3
3 2 1 1 2 3
3
2
1
1
2
3
3 2 1 1 2 3
3
2
1
1
2
3
3 2 1 1 2 3
3
2
1
1
2
3
3 2 1 1 2 3
3
2
1
1
2
3
3 2 1 1 2 3
3
2
1
1
2
3
3 2 1 1 2 3
3
2
1
1
2
3
3 2 1 1 2 3
3
2
1
1
2
3
3 2 1 1 2 3
3
2
1
1
2
3
3 2 1 1 2 3
3
2
1
1
2
3
3 2 1 1 2 3
3
2
1
1
2
3
3 2 1 1 2 3
3
2
1
1
2
3
12
Section 9.1 Parametric Curves 2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka
Buttery Curve
Parametric equations:
x = sin t
_
e
cos t
2 cos(4t) + sin
5
_
t
12
__
, y = cos t
_
e
cos t
2 cos(4t) + sin
5
_
t
12
__
where t = k/2, k = 0, . . . , 12.
3 2 1 1 2 3
3
2
1
1
2
3
3 2 1 1 2 3
3
2
1
1
2
3
3 2 1 1 2 3
3
2
1
1
2
3
3 2 1 1 2 3
3
2
1
1
2
3
3 2 1 1 2 3
3
2
1
1
2
3
3 2 1 1 2 3
3
2
1
1
2
3
3 2 1 1 2 3
3
2
1
1
2
3
3 2 1 1 2 3
3
2
1
1
2
3
3 2 1 1 2 3
3
2
1
1
2
3
3 2 1 1 2 3
3
2
1
1
2
3
3 2 1 1 2 3
3
2
1
1
2
3
3 2 1 1 2 3
3
2
1
1
2
3
13
Section 9.1 Parametric Curves 2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka
Parametric Curve
Parametric equations:
x = t + 2 sin 2t, y = t + 2 cos 5t
where t = 2 + k/3, k = 0, . . . , 12.
6 4 2 2 4 6
5
5
xt2sin2t,yt2cos5t, 2Pit2Pi1Pi3
6 4 2 2 4 6
5
5
xt2sin2t,yt2cos5t, 2Pit2Pi2Pi3
6 4 2 2 4 6
5
5
xt2sin2t,yt2cos5t, 2Pit2Pi3Pi3
6 4 2 2 4 6
5
5
xt2sin2t,yt2cos5t, 2Pit2Pi4Pi3
6 4 2 2 4 6
5
5
xt2sin2t,yt2cos5t, 2Pit2Pi5Pi3
6 4 2 2 4 6
5
5
xt2sin2t,yt2cos5t, 2Pit2Pi6Pi3
6 4 2 2 4 6
5
5
xt2sin2t,yt2cos5t, 2Pit2Pi7Pi3
6 4 2 2 4 6
5
5
xt2sin2t,yt2cos5t, 2Pit2Pi8Pi3
6 4 2 2 4 6
5
5
xt2sin2t,yt2cos5t, 2Pit2Pi9Pi3
6 4 2 2 4 6
5
5
xt2sin2t,yt2cos5t, 2Pit2Pi10Pi3
6 4 2 2 4 6
5
5
xt2sin2t,yt2cos5t, 2Pit2Pi11Pi3
6 4 2 2 4 6
5
5
xt2sin2t,yt2cos5t, 2Pit2Pi12Pi3
14
Section 9.1 Parametric Curves 2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka
Parametric Curves
Parametric equations:
x = 1.5 cos t cos kt, y = 1.5 sint sin kt
where k = 1, . . . , 20.
2 1 1 2
2
1
1
2
x1.5costcos1t, y1.5sintsin1t
2 1 1 2
2
1
1
2
x1.5costcos2t, y1.5sintsin2t
2 1 1 2
2
1
1
2
x1.5costcos3t, y1.5sintsin3t
2 1 1 2
2
1
1
2
x1.5costcos4t, y1.5sintsin4t
2 1 1 2
2
1
1
2
x1.5costcos5t, y1.5sintsin5t
2 1 1 2
2
1
1
2
x1.5costcos6t, y1.5sintsin6t
2 1 1 2
2
1
1
2
x1.5costcos7t, y1.5sintsin7t
2 1 1 2
2
1
1
2
x1.5costcos8t, y1.5sintsin8t
2 1 1 2
2
1
1
2
x1.5costcos9t, y1.5sintsin9t
2 1 1 2
2
1
1
2
x1.5costcos10t, y1.5sintsin10t
2 1 1 2
2
1
1
2
x1.5costcos11t, y1.5sintsin11t
2 1 1 2
2
1
1
2
x1.5costcos12t, y1.5sintsin12t
2 1 1 2
2
1
1
2
x1.5costcos13t, y1.5sintsin13t
2 1 1 2
2
1
1
2
x1.5costcos14t, y1.5sintsin14t
2 1 1 2
2
1
1
2
x1.5costcos15t, y1.5sintsin15t
2 1 1 2
2
1
1
2
x1.5costcos16t, y1.5sintsin16t
2 1 1 2
2
1
1
2
x1.5costcos17t, y1.5sintsin17t
2 1 1 2
2
1
1
2
x1.5costcos18t, y1.5sintsin18t
2 1 1 2
2
1
1
2
x1.5costcos19t, y1.5sintsin19t
2 1 1 2
2
1
1
2
x1.5costcos20t, y1.5sintsin20t
15
Section 9.1 Parametric Curves 2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka
Parametric Curves
Parametric equations:
x = 1.5 cos t cos 5t, y = 1.5 sin t sin kt
where k = 1, . . . , 20.
2 1 1 2
2
1
1
2
x1.5costcos5t, y1.5sintsin1t
2 1 1 2
2
1
1
2
x1.5costcos5t, y1.5sintsin2t
2 1 1 2
2
1
1
2
x1.5costcos5t, y1.5sintsin3t
2 1 1 2
2
1
1
2
x1.5costcos5t, y1.5sintsin4t
2 1 1 2
2
1
1
2
x1.5costcos5t, y1.5sintsin5t
2 1 1 2
2
1
1
2
x1.5costcos5t, y1.5sintsin6t
2 1 1 2
2
1
1
2
x1.5costcos5t, y1.5sintsin7t
2 1 1 2
2
1
1
2
x1.5costcos5t, y1.5sintsin8t
2 1 1 2
2
1
1
2
x1.5costcos5t, y1.5sintsin9t
2 1 1 2
2
1
1
2
x1.5costcos5t, y1.5sintsin10t
2 1 1 2
2
1
1
2
x1.5costcos5t, y1.5sintsin11t
2 1 1 2
2
1
1
2
x1.5costcos5t, y1.5sintsin12t
2 1 1 2
2
1
1
2
x1.5costcos5t, y1.5sintsin13t
2 1 1 2
2
1
1
2
x1.5costcos5t, y1.5sintsin14t
2 1 1 2
2
1
1
2
x1.5costcos5t, y1.5sintsin15t
2 1 1 2
2
1
1
2
x1.5costcos5t, y1.5sintsin16t
2 1 1 2
2
1
1
2
x1.5costcos5t, y1.5sintsin17t
2 1 1 2
2
1
1
2
x1.5costcos5t, y1.5sintsin18t
2 1 1 2
2
1
1
2
x1.5costcos5t, y1.5sintsin19t
2 1 1 2
2
1
1
2
x1.5costcos5t, y1.5sintsin20t
16