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Differentiation 12.3
Introduction
Often, the equation of a curve may not be given in Cartesian form y = f (x) but in parametric
dy
form: x = h(t), y = g(t). In this block we see how to calculate the derivative dx from a knowledge
dx dy
of the so-called parametric derivatives dt and dt . We then extend this to the determination of
d2 y
the second derivative 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.
be able to dierentiate standard functions
Prerequisites
be able to plot a curve given in parametric
Before starting this Block you should . . . form
x = h(t) y = g(t) t0 t t1
/ \
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 y 2
+ = cos2 t + sin2 t = 1
2 2
x2 + 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 = 4t2 <t<
Key Point
If x = h(t) and y = g(t) then
dy dy dx
=
dx dt dt
dy
We note that this result allows the determination of dx
without the need to nd y as an explicit
function of x.
at t = /4
Solution
The semi-circle is drawn in the gure
y
P
1/ 2
/4
x
1/ 2
y = mx + c
1 1 2
= (1) + c c=
2 2 2
Finally,
2
y = x +
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 dy d2 x
= x,
= y,
= x etc.
dt dt dt2
dx dy
Part (a) First nd ,
dt dt
Answer
dy
Part (b) Now obtain
dx
Answer
dy
Part (c) Now nd y explicitly as a function of x. Then, nd directly.
dx
Answer
2. Higher Derivatives
dy
Having found the derivative dx using parametric dierentiation we now ask how we might
d2 y
determine the second derivative dx2 .
By denition:
d2 y d dy
=
dx2 dx dx
But
dy y d2 y d y
= and so =
dx x dx2 dx x
Now xy is a function of t so we can change the derivative with respect to x into a derivative with
respect to t since
d dy d dy dt
=
dx dx dt dx dx
and
dt 1 1
=
dx =
dx dt
x
so nally:
d2 y y y
x x
2
= 3
dx x
Key Point
If x = h(t), y = g(t) then the rst and second derivatives of y with respect to x are:
dy y d2 y y y
x x
= and 2
= 3
dx x dx x
Solution
Here x = 2, y = 2t
dy y 2t
= = = t.
dx x 2
Also x = 0, y = 2
d2 y 2(2) 2t(0) 1
2
= 3
=
dx (2) 2
x2
These results can easily be checked in this case since t = x
2
and y = t2 3 which imply y = 4
3.
Therefore the derivatives can be obtained directly:
dy 2x x d2 y 1
= = and 2
= .
dx 4 2 dx 2
2. x = 3 cos t y = +5 sin t
dy
dy
dx
= 53 tan t dx t=/6
= 53 tan 6 = 5 1
3 3
= 5 3
9
5 3
The equation of the tangent line is y = mx + c where m = 9
.
Now the line passes through the point x = 1 + 3 sin 6 = 1 + 32 , y = 2 5 2
3
and so
3 5 3 3 35 3
25 = (1 + ) + c c=2
2 9 2 9