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Access the following online resource for additional instruction and practice with graphs of parametric equations.

Key concepts

  • When there is a third variable, a third parameter on which x and y depend, parametric equations can be used.
  • To graph parametric equations by plotting points, make a table with three columns labeled t , x ( t ) , and y ( t ) . Choose values for t in increasing order. Plot the last two columns for x and y . See [link] and [link] .
  • When graphing a parametric curve by plotting points, note the associated t -values and show arrows on the graph indicating the orientation of the curve. See [link] and [link] .
  • Parametric equations allow the direction or the orientation of the curve to be shown on the graph. Equations that are not functions can be graphed and used in many applications involving motion. See [link] .
  • Projectile motion depends on two parametric equations: x = ( v 0 cos θ ) t and y = 16 t 2 + ( v 0 sin θ ) t + h . Initial velocity is symbolized as v 0 . θ represents the initial angle of the object when thrown, and h represents the height at which the object is propelled.

Section exercises

Verbal

What are two methods used to graph parametric equations?

plotting points with the orientation arrow and a graphing calculator

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What is one difference in point-plotting parametric equations compared to Cartesian equations?

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Why are some graphs drawn with arrows?

The arrows show the orientation, the direction of motion according to increasing values of t .

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Name a few common types of graphs of parametric equations.

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Why are parametric graphs important in understanding projectile motion?

The parametric equations show the different vertical and horizontal motions over time.

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Graphical

For the following exercises, graph each set of parametric equations by making a table of values. Include the orientation on the graph.

{ x ( t ) = t y ( t ) = t 2 1

t x y
3
2
1
0
1
2
3
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{ x ( t ) = t 1 y ( t ) = t 2

t 3 2 1 0 1 2
x
y
Graph of the given equations - looks like an upward opening parabola.
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{ x ( t ) = 2 + t y ( t ) = 3 2 t

t 2 1 0 1 2 3
x
y
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{ x ( t ) = 2 2 t y ( t ) = 3 + t

t 3 2 1 0 1
x
y
Graph of the given equations - a line, negative slope.
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{ x ( t ) = t 3 y ( t ) = t + 2

t 2 1 0 1 2
x
y
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{ x ( t ) = t 2 y ( t ) = t + 3

t 2 1 0 1 2
x
y
Graph of the given equations - looks like a sideways parabola, opening to the right.
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For the following exercises, sketch the curve and include the orientation.

{ x ( t ) = t y ( t ) = t

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{ x ( t ) = t y ( t ) = t

Graph of the given equations - looks like the left half of an upward opening parabola.
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{ x ( t ) = 5 | t | y ( t ) = t + 2

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{ x ( t ) = t + 2 y ( t ) = 5 | t |

Graph of the given equations - looks like a downward opening absolute value function.
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{ x ( t ) = 4 sin t y ( t ) = 2 cos t

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{ x ( t ) = 2 sin t y ( t ) = 4 cos t

Graph of the given equations - a vertical ellipse.
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{ x ( t ) = 3 cos 2 t y ( t ) = −3 sin t

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{ x ( t ) = 3 cos 2 t y ( t ) = −3 sin 2 t

Graph of the given equations- line from (0, -3) to (3,0). It is traversed in both directions, positive and negative slope.
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{ x ( t ) = sec t y ( t ) = tan t

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{ x ( t ) = sec t y ( t ) = tan 2 t

Graph of the given equations- looks like an upward opening parabola.
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{ x ( t ) = 1 e 2 t y ( t ) = e t

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For the following exercises, graph the equation and include the orientation. Then, write the Cartesian equation.

{ x ( t ) = t 1 y ( t ) = t 2

Graph of the given equations- looks like a downward opening parabola.
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{ x ( t ) = t 3 y ( t ) = t + 3

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{ x ( t ) = 2 cos t y ( t ) = sin t

Graph of the given equations- horizontal ellipse.

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{ x ( t ) = 7 cos t y ( t ) = 7 sin t

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{ x ( t ) = e 2 t y ( t ) = e t

Graph of the given equations- looks like the lower half of a sideways parabola opening to the right
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For the following exercises, graph the equation and include the orientation.

x = t 2 , y = 3 t , 0 t 5

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x = 2 t , y = t 2 , 5 t 5

Graph of the given equations- looks like an upwards opening parabola
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x = t , y = 25 t 2 , 0 < t 5

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x ( t ) = t , y ( t ) = t , t 0

Graph of the given equations- looks like the upper half of a sideways parabola opening to the left
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x = 2 cos t , y = 6 sin t , 0 t π

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x = sec t , y = tan t , π 2 < t < π 2

Graph of the given equations- the left half of a hyperbola with diagonal asymptotes
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For the following exercises, use the parametric equations for integers a and b :

x ( t ) = a cos ( ( a + b ) t ) y ( t ) = a cos ( ( a b ) t )

Graph on the domain [ π , 0 ] , where a = 2 and b = 1 , and include the orientation.

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Graph on the domain [ π , 0 ] , where a = 3 and b = 2 , and include the orientation.

Graph of the given equations - vertical periodic trajectory
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Graph on the domain [ π , 0 ] , where a = 4 and b = 3 , and include the orientation.

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Source:  OpenStax, Precalculus. OpenStax CNX. Jan 19, 2016 Download for free at https://legacy.cnx.org/content/col11667/1.6
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