CURVE TRACING

Guideline for tracing of curve(Cartesian Equation)

(i)

Symmetry of the curve

(ii)

If x occurs as an even function(like x2, cosx etc.), the curve is

symmetrical about the y-axis
a2x2 = y3(2x-y)
If y occurs only as an even function, the curve is symmetrical
about the x-axis
y2 = x2 (a+x)/(a-x)
If the equation to the curve remains unaltered when x and y are
changed to x and y respectively then the curve is symmetrical in
opposite quadrants
y(a2+x2)=a2x is
If the equation to the curve remains unaltered when x and y are
interchanged then the curve is symmetrical about the line y=x
x3+y3=3axy
Curve passing through origin
If x=0 and y=0 satisfy the equation to the curve then the origin lies on
the curve

(iii)

Tangents at origin
If the curve passes through the origin, the equations to the tangents at
the origin are obtained by equating the lowest degree term in the
equation to zero.

(iv)

Points of Intersection of the curve

Obtain the co-ordinates (0,y) and (x,0)

(v)

Asymtotes( Tangents at Infinity)

Asymtotes parallel to x-axis
Equate to zero the coefficient of the highest power of x in the
equation provided this is not merely a constant.
Asymtotes parallel to y-axis
Equate to zero the coefficient of the highest power of y in the
equation provided this is not merely a constant.
Oblique asymtotes
y=mx+c is the oblique asymptote. The values of m and c are
obtained by putting x=1 and y=m in the highest and the next to
the highest degree terms.

(vi)

Region of the curve

Solve for x or y. No portion of the curve exists in the region where either
x or y is imaginary.

(vii) Increasing or Decreasing of the curve

Find the region in which the curve is increasing or decreasing by testing
where dy/dx is positive or negative.
(viii) Maxima , Minima and Inflexion points
By applying the conditions for the maxima and minima and inflexion
points such points of the curve may be determined. At an inflexion point
d2y/dx2 =0.

Illustration
Trace the curve 9ay2= x(x-3a)2
(i)
Curve is symmetrical about x-axis.(Even powers of y)
(ii) Curve passes through the origin
(iii) Equating the lowest degree term to zero i.e. 9a2x=0 x=0.
Hence, x=0 or y-axis is the tangent at origin.
(iv) For x=3a, y=0. Hence (3a,0) is the point of intersection of the
curve with x-axis.
(v) There are no asymtotes parallel to x-axis and y-axis because
the coefficient of the highest term in x and the coefficient of
highest term in y is merely constant.
(vi) For x<0, y2 become negative. Hence no part of the curve
exists for x<0.
(vii)

dy
1

( x a) .
dx 2 ax

Hence, for x<a,

decreasing . Also, for x>a,

dy
0
dx

dy
0
dx

and the curve will be

and the curve will be

increasing .
(viii)

dy
d2y
0 x a and 2 0 at x a.
dx
dx

Hence, x=a is the point of

minima of curve.
The rough sketch of the curve is given below:

x O(0,0)
y

2a

3a O (3a,0) X
Y

 Guideline for tracing of curve(Polar equation)

(i)

(ii)

(iii)

(iv)

Symmetry
The curve is symmetrical about the initial line(usually, the positive xaxis) if the equation remains unaltered when is changed to (-).
( r=a(1+cos))
The curve is symmetrical about the pole(usually the origin) if the
equation remains unaltered when r is changed to r. (r2=a2cos2)
Curve passing through pole
The curve passes through the pole if r=0 for some value of say =.
In this case = is the tangent to the curve at the pole.
Behaviour of the function
Solve the eqn. for r or for . In particular find the greatest and/or
least value of r to get the bounds of the function. Find the values of
for which r2<0 because in such a region there will be no portion of
the curve and finally prepare a table to get r for convenient
successive values of covering the entire domain of consideration.
Direction of the tangent
The relation tan r

d
will give the direction of the tangent; being
dr

the angle between the radius vector and tangent at the point.
Some useful guidelines
When no multiples of appears in the equation, find the values of
r for =0, /2, , 3/2 and 2and note the variation of r in the
range 0<</2, /2<< etc.
When the angle appearing in the equation is a multiple of , find
the values of r for =0, =/2n,/n, and note the variations
of r in the range 0<</2n, /2n<, etc.
If the curve is symmetrical about the initial line, it is sufficient to
trace the curve for values of from 0 to and in the remaining
half (<<2) it may be completed by symmetry.
Sometimes it may be convenient to convert polar equation into
Cartesian by replacing r by x 2 y 2 , x=rcos, y=rsin and then
proceed.

 Guideline for tracing of curve(Parametric equation)

In many cases, the parameter t can be eliminated and the Cartesian
equation to the curve is obtained. The curve tracing may be
accomplished as per known procedure,
for example x=a cos3 t, y=a sin3 t

x2/3 y 2/3 a2/3 .

In these cases, where elimination of t is not so convenient, proceed

by considerind successive values of two parameter t.
Illustration:
Trace the cycloid, x=a (t + sin t),y=a(1+cos t) ; t
Solution:
(i)
Symmetry:
Here, x= a (t + sin t) is an odd function of t while y is a even
function of t, therefore the curve is symmetrical about y-axis.
(ii) Whether the curve passes through (0,0)?
By putting x=0, we get a (t + sin t)=0 t=0. But for t=0,
y=2a( 0), therefore the curve does not pass through (0,0).
(iii) Intersection with the Coordinate axis:
(a) It meets x-axis where y=0 1 + cos t=0 t= , ,3 ,5 ..... In
the given interval , , the curve meets the x=axis at the
point a , 0 .
(b) It meets y-axis where x=0 t + sin t=0 t=0,that is ,at the
point 0, 2a .
(iv) Limitation of the curve:
We find that yleast=0 at t= , and ymax=2a at t=0.
Hence, the curve lies between y=0 and y=2a.
Future, -1 cos t 1 a (1+ cos t) is non-negative, implying
that the cycloid lies above the x-axis( as y is non-negative).
(v) Increasing and decreasing curve:
We have

dx
a(1 cos t ) 0, for all values of t, therefore x
dt

increases as t increases.
dy
a sin t 0, for , 0
Again, dt
0, for 0, .

(vi)

Therefore, the curve increases in , 0 and decreases in 0, .

Direction of the tangent :
dy
dy dt
a sin t
t
We have,

tan
dx dx a(1 cos t )
2
dt
dy
Thus
0 whent 0 x 0, y 2a , the tangent to the curve at
dx
the point 0, 2a is parallel to x-axis.

Again

dy
whent a , 0 is parallel to y-axis.
dx

It is clear that the curve reports itself to the left and right of the
interval , .