Exercise · ZW-PARAMETRIC-CURVE-007 · ★★☆ Intermediate

Which Cartesian equation do the points of \(x=3\cos t,\ y=2\sin t\) satisfy?

Choose one option.

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  • D. \(\dfrac{x^2}{9}+\dfrac{y^2}{4}=1\)

Explanation

Solving, \(\cos t=x/3\) and \(\sin t=y/2\); using \(\cos^2t+\sin^2t=1\) gives \(\frac{x^2}{9}+\frac{y^2}{4}=1\). The semi-axes are 3 along \(x\) and 2 along \(y\).

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Review the concept: Parametric curve

A parametric curve is the path traced by a point in space when its coordinates depend on a parameter \(t\) through a vector-valued function \(\mathbf r\).

\[\mathbf r(t)=\langle x(t),y(t),z(t)\rangle,\quad a\le t\le b\]

More practice problems: parametric curve

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