Parametric

Differentiation

12.3
Introduction
Often, the equation of a curve may not be given in Cartesian form y = f(x) but in parametric
form: x = h(t), y = g(t). In this block we see how to calculate the derivative
dy
dx
from a knowledge
of the so-called parametric derivatives
dx
dt
and
dy
dt
. We then extend this to the determination of
the second derivative
d
2
y
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.

Prerequisites
Before starting this Block you should . . .
x be able to dierentiate standard functions
y be able to plot a curve given in parametric
form
Learning Outcomes
After completing this Block you should be able
to . . .
nd
dy
dx
and
d
2
y
dx
2
when the equation of a
curve is given in parametric form.
Learning Style
To achieve what is expected of you . . .
allocate sucient study time
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)
. .
t
0
t t
1
. .
/ \
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
_
2
+
_
y
2
_
2
= cos
2
t + sin
2
t = 1
x
2
+ 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 = 4t
2
< t <
describes a parabola. This follows since, eliminating the parameter t:
t =
x
2
y = 4
_
x
2
2
_
= 2x
2
which we recognise as the standard equation of a parabola.
The question we wish to address in this block is how do we obtain the derivative
dy
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
dx
=
dy
dt

dx
dt
We note that this result allows the determination of
dy
dx
without the need to nd y as an explicit
function of x.
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12.3: Techniques of Dierentiation
2
Example Determine the equations of the tangent line to the semi-circle
x = cos t y = sin t 0 t
at t = /4
Solution
The semi-circle is drawn in the gure
1/

2
/4
x
y
P
1/

2
We have also drawn the tangent line at t = /4 (or, equivalently, at x = cos

4
=
1

2
, y =
sin

4
=
1

2
.) Now
dy
dx
=
dy
dt

dx
dt
=
cos t
sin t
= cot t.
Thus at t =

4
we have
dy
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).
To nd c we note that the line passes through the point P with coordinates
_
1

2
,
1

2
_
. Hence
1

2
= (1)
1

2
+ c c =
2

2
Finally,
y = x +
2

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
dt
= x,
dy
dt
= y,
d
2
x
dt
2
= x etc.
3 Engineering Mathematics: Open Learning Unit Level 1
12.3: Techniques of Dierentiation
Try each part of this exercise
Find the value of
dy
dx
if
x = 3t, y = t
2
4t + 1
Check your result by nding
dy
dx
in the normal way.
Part (a) First nd
dx
dt
,
dy
dt
Answer
Part (b) Now obtain
dy
dx
Answer
Part (c) Now nd y explicitly as a function of x. Then, nd
dy
dx
directly.
Answer
Try each part of this exercise
Find the value of
dy
dx
at t = 2 if
x = 3t 4 sin t y = t
2
+ t cos t 0 t 4
Part (a) First nd
dx
dt
,
dy
dt
Answer
Part (b) Now obtain
dy
dx
Answer
Part (c) Finally, substitute t = 2 to nd
dy
dx
at this value of t.
Answer
2. Higher Derivatives
Having found the derivative
dy
dx
using parametric dierentiation we now ask how we might
determine the second derivative
d
2
y
dx
2
.
By denition:
d
2
y
dx
2
=
d
dx
_
dy
dx
_
But
dy
dx
=
y
x
and so
d
2
y
dx
2
=
d
dx
_
y
x
_
Now
y
x
is a function of t so we can change the derivative with respect to x into a derivative with
respect to t since
d
dx
_
dy
dx
_
=
_
d
dt
_
dy
dx
__
dt
dx
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12.3: Techniques of Dierentiation
4
from the function of a function rule (see block 12.2).
But, dierentiating the quotient y/ x we have
d
dt
_
y
x
_
=
x y y x
x
2
and
dt
dx
=
1
_
dx
dt
_ =
1
x
so nally:
d
2
y
dx
2
=
x y y x
x
3
Key Point
If x = h(t), y = g(t) then the rst and second derivatives of y with respect to x are:
dy
dx
=
y
x
and
d
2
y
dx
2
=
x y y x
x
3
Example If the parametric equations of a curve are
x = 2t, y = t
2
3, 4 < t < 4
determine
dy
dx
and
d
2
y
dx
2
.
Solution
Here x = 2, y = 2t

dy
dx
=
y
x
=
2t
2
= t.
Also x = 0, y = 2

d
2
y
dx
2
=
2(2) 2t(0)
(2)
3
=
1
2
These results can easily be checked in this case since t =
x
2
and y = t
2
3 which imply y =
x
2
4
3.
Therefore the derivatives can be obtained directly:
dy
dx
=
2x
4
=
x
2
and
d
2
y
dx
2
=
1
2
.
5 Engineering Mathematics: Open Learning Unit Level 1
12.3: Techniques of Dierentiation
More exercises for you to try
1. For the following sets of parametric equations nd
dy
dx
and
d
2
y
dx
2
(a) x = 3t
2
y = 4t
3
(b) x = 4 t
2
y = t
2
+ 4t
(c) x = t
2
e
t
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
6
End of Block 12.3
7 Engineering Mathematics: Open Learning Unit Level 1
12.3: Techniques of Dierentiation
dx
dt
= 3,
dy
dt
= 2t 4
Back to the theory
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12.3: Techniques of Dierentiation
8
dy
dx
=
dy
dt

dx
dt
=
2t 4
3
=
2
3
t
4
3
, or, using the dot notation
dy
dx
=
y
x
=
2t 4
3
=
2
3
t
4
3
Back to the theory
9 Engineering Mathematics: Open Learning Unit Level 1
12.3: Techniques of Dierentiation
t =
x
3
y =
x
2
9

4x
3
+ 1. Finally:
dy
dx
=
2x
9

4
3
=
2t
3

4
3
.
Back to the theory
Engineering Mathematics: Open Learning Unit Level 1
12.3: Techniques of Dierentiation
10
dx
dt
= 3 4 cos t
dy
dt
= 2t + cos t t sin t
Back to the theory
11 Engineering Mathematics: Open Learning Unit Level 1
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
Engineering Mathematics: Open Learning Unit Level 1
12.3: Techniques of Dierentiation
12
dy
dx

t=2
=
4 + 1
3 4
=
5
3 4
= 0.523
Back to the theory
13 Engineering Mathematics: Open Learning Unit Level 1
12.3: Techniques of Dierentiation
1. (a)
dy
dx
= 2t,
d
2
y
dx
2
=
1
3t
.
(b)
dy
dx
= 1
2
t
,
d
2
y
dx
2
=
1
t
3
(c)
dy
dx
=
e
t
2t+t
2
,
d
2
y
dx
2
=
e
2t
(t
2
+4t+2)
(t+2)
3
t
3
2. x = 3 cos t y = +5 sin t

dy
dx
=
5
3
tan t
dy
dx

t=/6
=
5
3
tan

6
=
5
3
1

3
=
5

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

3
9
.
Now the line passes through the point x = 1 + 3 sin

6
= 1 +
3
2
, y = 2 5

3
2
and so
2 5

3
2
=
5

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

3
9
Back to the theory
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12.3: Techniques of Dierentiation
14