MEI Core 4

Parametric Equations

Chapter Assessment

1. A curve is defined by the parametric equations x = 2t 2 , y = 4t .

(i) By eliminating the parameter, find the cartesian equation of the curve. [3]
(ii) Find the equation of the tangent to the curve at the point A with
parameter t = 2. [4]
(iii) Show that the tangent does not meets the curve again. [3]
(iv) The normal of the curve at A cuts the curve again at B.
Find the coordinates of B. [5]

2. Find the turning points of the curve with parametric equations x = 3t , y = 12t − t 3
and distinguish between them. [5]

3. A circle is defined by the parametric equations x = 1 + 2 cos θ , y = 3 + 2sin θ .

(i) Sketch the circle. [2]
dy
(ii) Find at the point with parameter θ . [3]
dx
(iii) Find the equation of the tangent at the point with parameter θ . [3]
π
(iv) Find the coordinates of the point where θ = . [2]
3
π
(v) Find the equation of the normal at the point where θ = . [4]
3

4. A line is defined by the parametric equations x = cos 2t , y = sin 2 t

dy
(i) Find . [3]
dx
(ii) Find the cartesian equation of the line. [3]

Total 40 marks

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 MEI C4 Parametric Equations Assessment solutions

Solutions to Chapter Assessment

1. (i) x = 2t 2 c
y
y = 4t ⇒ t = d
4
2
⎛y⎞ y2
Insert d into c: x = 2⎜ ⎟ ⇒ x =
⎝4⎠ 8
⇒ y = 8x
2

[3]
dx
(ii) x = 2t 2 ⇒ = 4t
dt
dy
y = 4t ⇒ =4
dt
dy dy / dt 4 1
= = =
dx dx / dt 4t t
dy 1
When t = 2: =
dx 2

When t = 2: x = 2 × 2 2 = 8 and y = 4 × 2 = 8
So the tangent has gradient 21 and passes through (8, 8)
Equation of tangent is y − 8 = 21 ( x − 8 )
2 y − 16 = x − 8
2y = x + 8
[4]
(iii) Where tangent meets curve, 2 × 4t = 2t + 8
2

2t 2 − 8t + 8 = 0
t 2 − 4t + 4 = 0
(t − 2)2 = 0
The only root is the repeated root at t = 2 (the point of the tangent) so the
tangent doesn’t meet the curve again.
[3]
(iv) Gradient of tangent = 2 , so gradient of normal = −2 (using m 1m2 = −1 )
1

Normal has gradient -2 and passes through (8, 8)

Equation of normal is y − 8 = −2( x − 8)
y − 8 = −2 x + 1 6
y + 2 x = 24

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 MEI C4 Parametric Equations Assessment solutions

Where normal meets curve, 4t + 2 × 2t 2 = 24

4t + 4t 2 = 24
t 2 +t − 6 = 0
(t − 2)(t + 3) = 0
The normal meets the curve when t = 2 (point A) and when t = -3 (point B)
When t = -3, x = 2( −3)2 = 18
y = 4 × −3 = −12
The coordinates of B are (18, -12).
[5]

dx
2. (i) x = 3t ⇒ =3
dt
dy
y = 12t − t 3 ⇒ = 12 − 3t 2
dt
dy dy / dt 12 − 3t 2
= = = 4 −t 2
dx dx / dt 3
dy
At turning points: = 0 ⇒ 4 −t 2 = 0
dx
⇒ t = ±2

When t = 2: x = 6 and y = 16 ⇒ there is a turning point at (6, 16).

dy
Consider the sign of just before and after x = 6:
dx
dy
t = 1.9 ⇒ x = 5.7 (just before) and = 0.39 > 0
dx
dy
t = 2.1 ⇒ x = 6.3 (just after) and = −0.41 < 0
dx
So (6, 16) is a maximum.

When t = -2: x = -6 and y = -16 ⇒ there is a turning point at (-6, -16).

dy
Consider the sign of just before and after x = -6:
dx
dy
t = -2.1 ⇒ x = -6.3 (just before) and = −0.41 < 0
dx
dy
t = -1.9 ⇒ x = -5.7 (just after) and = 0.39 > 0
dx
So (-6, -16) is a minimum.
[5]

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 MEI C4 Parametric Equations Assessment solutions

3. (i) x = 1 + 2 cos θ , y = 3 + 2 sin θ

y

Circle centre (1, 3)

and radius 2.
(1, 3)

[2]
dx
(ii) x = 1 + 2 cos θ ⇒ = −2 sin θ
dθ
dy
y = 3 + 2 sin θ ⇒ = 2 cos θ
dθ
dy dt / dt 2 cos θ cos θ
⇒ = = =− ( = − cot θ )
dx dx / dt − 2 sin θ sin θ
[3]
(iii) Using y − y 1 = m( x − x 1 ) with x 1 = 1 + 2 cos θ
y 1 = 3 + 2 sin θ
cos θ
m=−
sin θ
− cos θ
Equation of tangent is y − (3 + 2 sin θ ) = ( x − (1 + 2 cos θ ))
sin θ
⇒ y sin θ − 3 sin θ − 2 sin 2 θ = − cos θ( x − 1 − 2 cos θ )
⇒ ( y − 3)sin θ − 2 sin 2 θ = (1 − x )cos θ + 2 cos 2 θ
⇒ ( y − 3)sin θ + ( x − 1)cos θ = 2 sin 2 θ + 2 cos 2 θ
⇒ ( y − 3)sin θ + ( x − 1)cos θ = 2
[3]
π π 1
(iv) When θ = : x = 1 + 2 cos ⎛⎜ ⎞⎟ = 1 + 2 × = 2
3 ⎝3⎠ 2
π 3
y = 3 + 2 sin ⎛⎜ ⎞⎟ = 3 + 2 × = 3+ 3
⎝3⎠ 2
So the coordinates are (2, 3 + 3) .
[2]
(v) Gradient of tangent = − cot θ , so gradient of normal = tan θ
(using m1m2 = −1 ) .
π π
Gradient of normal at θ = is tan = 3.
3 3

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 MEI C4 Parametric Equations Assessment solutions

Using y − y 1 = m( x − x 1 ) with x1 = 2
y1 = 3 + 3
m= 3
Equation of normal is y − (3 + 3) = 3( x − 2)
y − 3 − 3 − 3x + 2 3 = 0
y − 3x − 3 + 3 = 0
[4]

dx
4. (i) x = cos 2t ⇒ = −2 sin 2t
dt
dy
y = sin 2 t ⇒ = 2 sin t × cos t = sin 2t
dt
dy dy / dt sin 2t 1
= = =−
dx dx / dt −2 sin 2t 2
[3]
(ii) x = cos 2t
y = sin 2 t
Use the trig identity: cos 2t ≡ 1 − 2 sin 2 t
x = 1 − 2y
2y + x = 1
[3]

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