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Parametric Equations_Vedkaila

The document explains parametric equations, which express both independent and dependent variables as functions of a third variable, typically denoted as t. It provides examples of creating parametric equations from linear and nonlinear functions, as well as converting between standard and parametric forms. Additionally, it discusses the application of parametric equations in both two and three dimensions, including shapes like circles and helices.

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maalmeida85
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8 views16 pages

Parametric Equations_Vedkaila

The document explains parametric equations, which express both independent and dependent variables as functions of a third variable, typically denoted as t. It provides examples of creating parametric equations from linear and nonlinear functions, as well as converting between standard and parametric forms. Additionally, it discusses the application of parametric equations in both two and three dimensions, including shapes like circles and helices.

Uploaded by

maalmeida85
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Parametric Equations

Explained in brief thru’ examples


by
Ved Kaila
Jan 2025
What is an Equation

A mathematical expression of relation between independent variable (usually


denoted as x) and dependant variable (usually denoted as y) is called an
equation. Ex: y = x + 1. This relation can also be expressed as a table and as a
graph (x along horizontal and y along vertical axis) as shown here:

x y

0 1

1 2

2 3

3 4
Domain
Relations typically hold good only over a limited (restricted) domain.
Unrestricted domain Restricted domain (-2<=x<=x)
Algebraic symbols to define Domain restrictions

It is convenient to express Domain restrictions for functions in concise manner by


using symbols (less than: <, greater than: >, less than or equal to : =<,
greater than or equal to: >=).
examples:
{x<5} : x is less than 5:

{-2 < x <= 2}: x can be greater than -2 and be any value upto and including 2.

{ t > 1}: t can be any value greater than 1


Domain Restriction examples
Upper Limit Lower & Upper Limits Lower Limit
Relevance of domain restrictions
Ex: consider a relation which holds good over only five years, say for years
2000-2005. If we consider Year = 2000 + x
Then this could be expressed as x = 0 to 5, or expressed algebraically as:
0 <= x <= 5.
In case of Parametric Relations, we usually write this domain restriction using
variable t and the range as 0 to 1, i.e. {0 <= t <=1}
In case of angles, it is usual to limit the angle as (t or 𝛉): {0<= 𝛉 <= 2 pi}
Parametric Relations make more sense for linear relations which are limited at
both lower and upper ends or for cyclic functions such as sin x.
What is parametric equation?

Sometimes it is more convenient to think of both the independent variable x and


the dependent variable y, as being themselves dependent on a third variable,
usually denoted as t.
Ex: While the weight w of a child depends upon his height h, we also know that
the weight w of a child depends upon his age (let us call that as) t, and
the height h of a child depends upon his age t.
Expressed algebraically: w = func (h),

Or expressed parametrically, as: w = func1(t), h = func2(t)


Straight Line parametric form
A point can be multiplied. Thus, 3 * (1,2) is another point (3,6)
A line (0,0) to (3,5) can be
written in parametric form as:
t * (3,5) {0<= t <=1}
Which is same as:
(0,0) + t * (3, 5)
Since, in desmos,
t is special variable having a
range 0-1.
Making Parametric Equations
How to make parametric equation from a given graph: point
t x y
For a line AB, connecting point A (1,2) and point B (4, -6): A 0 1 2
Consider a variable t whose value at point A is 0 and
B 1 4 -6
at point B is 1, we could make a table:

From columns t and x, we can see:


x = 3t +1
From column t and y, we can see:
y = -8t +2
Parametric equations for line AB is: x = 3t +1 and y = -8t +2.
In desmos, this line can be written as: A + t * (B-A)
Converting standard equation into parametric equation
Suppose you have a linear relation like: y = 1.5 x - 2 which spans {-2<=x<=4}:
We can compute values of y at both ends which we can treat as t = 0 and t = 1:
From columns t and x, we can see: point t x y
As t: 0 ->1, x: -2 -> 4, i.e. rise of 6, so:
A 0 -2 -5
x = 6t - 2
B 1 4 4

Similarly, from columns t and y, we can see:


y = 9t - 5

The equivalent parametric equations are: x = 6t -2 and y = 9t - 5


Converting parametric equations into standard equation

Let us say we have parametric equations: x = 6t -2 and y = 9t - 5


(as the one from previous slide)

To create an equivalent standard equation, we can do as under:


From (x = 6t -2), we can say t = (x + 2)/6. Using this value of t in (y = 9t - 5), we
get: y = 9*(x + 2)/6 - 5 which simplifies as an equivalent standard equation:
y = 1.5x - 2 (as we expect from the last slide).
Parametric equations for nonlinear functions
You can use parametric equations to describe curves like circles, ellipses,
parabolas, and more.

E.g. a circle with radius r with center at the origin can be defined as:

x = r cos(t), y = r sin(t), where t runs through values between 0 and 2π.


Parametric equations in 3 dimensions
Just as for x-y relations, we can also have parametric equations for 3 dimensions,
where each of x, y and z can be expressed as functions of t, over a
range 0<=t<=2 pi. So a cylinder of radius r and height c can be expressed as:
x = r cos t, y = r cos t, z = c
3d parametric equations
Parametric equations also help defining three dimensional shapes.
Ex: a helix can be written as:

x = r cos(t), y = r sin(t), z = ct

where r is the radius, c is a constant, and t is the parameter.


Graphical depiction of parametric concepts
See Desmos simulation
Click play button on top left.
Feel free to explore related algebra shown on left side.
Thanks for watching
Do watch other such educational videos at my youTube channel.

Ved Kaila
[email protected]

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