3.3.2

Modelling with Parametric Equations

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Modelling with Parametric Equations

Parametric equations are used to model real-life situations.

Models

Models

  • A mathematical model is a set of equations that describe a real-life situation or object.
  • Answering a question about a model that uses parametric equations will require you to give your answer in units that are relevant to the question.
  • You may also have to comment on how realistic a model is in the context of the question.
Time

Time

  • We can define a set of parametric equations with time as the parameter.
  • Then xx and yy are defined as functions of time that describe the two-dimensional motion of an object.
Example

Example

  • A remote-controlled boat is driven on the surface of a lake.
  • The position (in metres) of the boat at time tt seconds is modelled by the parametric equations:
    • x=5t,      y=15t,      t>0x = 5t,\;\;\;y=15t,\;\;\;t>0
  • Show that the motion of the remote-controlled boat is a straight line.
  • Find the speed of the remote-controlled boat.
Rearrange $$x$$ equation

Rearrange xx equation

  • To find the Cartesian equation, rearrange the equation for xx to get tt on its own:
    • x=5t→t=x5x = 5t \rightarrow t = \frac{x}{5}
Find the Cartesian equation

Find the Cartesian equation

  • Substitute this into the equation for yy gives:
    • y=15÷x5=3xy = 15 \div \frac{x}{5} = 3x
Inspection

Inspection

  • The equation y=3xy = 3x is a straight line with gradient 3 and a yy-intercept of 0.
  • xx and yy are the position of the boat, so the boat is moving in a straight line.
Find the speed of the boat

Find the speed of the boat

  • Remember the equation for speed:
    • Speed = distancetime\frac{\text{distance}}{\text{time}}
Find the speed in each direction

Find the speed in each direction

  • In the xx-direction, the speed is:
    • Speed = 5tt=5\frac{5t}{t} = 5 m/s
  • In the yy-direction, the speed is:
    • Speed = 15tt=15 \frac{15t}{t} = 15 m/s
Find the magnitude of the speed

Find the magnitude of the speed

  • The overall size of the speed of the boat is given by Pythagoras' theorem:
    • Speed = (5)2+(15)2=15.81\sqrt{(5)^2+(15)^2} = 15.81 m/s
  • Remember to include units in your answers!
Jump to other topics
1

Proof

1.1

Types of Numbers

1.1.1Whole Numbers1.1.2The Four Rules for Positive Numbers1.1.3Negative Numbers1.1.4Integers1.1.5The Four Rules for Negative Numbers1.1.6Real Numbers1.1.7Rational vs Irrational
1.2

Notation

1.2.1Sets1.2.2Subsets1.2.3Venn Diagrams1.2.4Sets Numbers1.2.5Notation in Mathematical Arguments
1.3

Proof

1.3.1Mathematical Proof1.3.2Proof by Deduction1.3.3Proving an Identity1.3.4Polynomial Identities1.3.5Proof by Exhaustion1.3.6Disproof by Counter Example1.3.7Proof by Contradiction (A2 Only)
2

Algebra & Functions

2.1

Powers & Roots

2.1.1Exponential Rules2.1.2Rational Exponents2.1.3Surds2.1.4Simplify Surds2.1.5Rationalise Denominator
2.2

Quadratic Equations

2.2.1Quadratic +/-2.2.2Factorise Quadratics2.2.3Quadratic Formula2.2.4Complete the Square2.2.5Solve Quadratics Graphically2.2.6Simultaneous Equations2.2.7Simultaneous Quadratic Equations2.2.8Simultaneous Equations Graphs2.2.9Simultaneous Equations Word Problems2.2.10Quadratic Equations of Powers
2.3

Inequalities

2.3.1Solving Inequalities2.3.2Solving Double Inequalities2.3.3Solving Quadratic Inequalities2.3.4Representing Inequalities2.3.5Graphing Inequalities2.3.6Set Notation2.3.7Set Notation & Inequalities
2.4

Polynomials

2.4.1Polynomials2.4.2Adding & Subtracting Polynomials2.4.3Remainder Theorem2.4.4Algebraic Long Division2.4.5Rewriting Rational Expressions
2.5

Graphs

2.5.1Graphs of Polynomials2.5.2Simultaneous Equations Graphs2.5.3Simultaneous Quadratic Equations2.5.4Graphs of Proportion2.5.5Graphs of Common Functions 12.5.6Graphs of Common Functions 22.5.7Graphs of Common Functions 32.5.8Proportion2.5.9Direct Proportion2.5.10Inverse Proportion
2.6

Functions

2.6.1Properties of Functions2.6.2Inverse Functions2.6.3Composite Functions
2.7

Transformation of Graphs

2.7.1Reflections2.7.2Rotation2.7.3Translation2.7.4Stretches & Compressions2.7.5Effects of Transformations2.7.6Combinations of Transformations
2.8

Partial Fractions (A2 Only)

2.8.1Partial Fractions2.8.2Partial Fractions with Three Linear Factors2.8.3Partial Fractions with Three Linear Factors 22.8.4Partial Fractions with Repeated Factors2.8.5Partial Fractions - Practice
3

Coordinate Geometry

3.1

Straight Lines

3.1.1y = mx +c3.1.2Gradient & Y-intercept3.1.3Distance-Time Graph3.1.4Velocity-Time Graph3.1.5Conversion Graph
3.2

Circles

3.2.1Equations of Circles centred at Origin3.2.2Finding the Centre & Radius3.2.3Equation of a Tangent3.2.4Circle Theorems - Perpendicular Bisector3.2.5Circle Theorems - Angle at the Centre3.2.6Circle Theorems - Angle at a Semi-Circle3.2.7Equation of a Perpendicular Bisector3.2.8Equation of a Circumcircle3.2.9Circumcircle of a Right-angled Triangle
3.3

Parametric Equations (A2 only)

3.3.1Parametric Equations3.3.2Modelling with Parametric Equations
4

Sequences & Series

4.1

Binomial Expansion

4.1.1Pascal's Triangle4.1.2Factorials4.1.3Binomial Expansion4.1.4Binomial Expansion & Rational Powers (A2 only)4.1.5Binomial Expansion & Rational Powers 2 (A2 only)
4.2

Sequences (A2 only)

4.2.1Nth term Rules4.2.2Recurring Rules4.2.3Types of Sequences4.2.4Arithmetic Sequences4.2.5Geometric Sequences4.2.6Sigma Notation4.2.7Arithmetic Series4.2.8Geometric Series4.2.9Sum to Infinity of a Geometric Series4.2.10Modelling with Sequences & Series
5

Trigonometry

5.1

Using Angles

5.1.1Radians5.1.2Arc length5.1.3Area of Sectors5.1.4Area of Segments
5.2

Trigonometric Functions

5.2.1Unit Circle5.2.2Properties of Trig Functions5.2.3Trigonometry5.2.4Exact values5.2.5Graphs of Trigonometric Functions5.2.6Small Angle Approximation
5.3

Triangle Rules

5.3.1Sine Rules5.3.2Cosine Rules5.3.3Area of a Triangle
5.4

Trigonometric Identities

5.4.1Secant, Cosecant & Cotangent5.4.2Pythagorean Identities5.4.3Angle Addition Formulae5.4.4Manipulating the Angle Addition Formulae5.4.5Double Angle Formula
6

Exponentials & Logarithms

6.1

Exponentials & Logarithms

6.1.1Exponential Function6.1.2Logarithms6.1.3Properties of Logarithms6.1.4Natural Logarithm6.1.5Graphs of Exponents & Logarithms
6.2

Exponential Growth Decay

6.2.1Population Growth6.2.2Depreciation6.2.3Graphing Linear and Exponential Growth6.2.4Interpreting Exponential Growth and Decay Graphs6.2.5Compound Growth & Decay6.2.6Compund Interest
7

Differentiation

7.1

Derivatives

7.1.1Gradient of a Curve7.1.2Differentiation from First Principles7.1.3Differentiation from First Principles - Practice7.1.4Differentiation7.1.5Finding derivatives7.1.6Second Order Derivatives
7.2

Graphs & Differentiation

7.2.1Stationary Points7.2.2Maxima & Minima7.2.3Modelling with Differentiation7.2.4Using Second Derivatives (A2 only)7.2.5Rate of Change (A2 only)
7.3

Differentiation With Trigonometry and Exponentials

7.3.1Differentiation with Sin & Cos7.3.2Diff. of Exponential Functions7.3.3Differentiation of Trig. Functions 1 (A2 only)7.3.4Differentiation of Trig. Functions 2 (A2 only)
7.4

Rules of Differetiation (A2 only)

7.4.1Chain Rule7.4.2Product Rule7.4.3Quotient Rule
7.5

Parametric & Implicit Differentiation

7.5.1Parametric Differentiation7.5.2Implicit Differentiation
8

Integration

8.1

Integration

8.1.1Integration - Basics8.1.2Integration - Definite Integrals8.1.3Finding Functions8.1.4Area under curves8.1.5Area under x-axis8.1.6Area between curves and lines
8.2

Integration (A2 Only)

8.2.1Integration - Standard Functions8.2.2Integration - Reverse Chain Rule8.2.3Integration by Substitution8.2.4Integration by Parts8.2.5Integration by Parts - Practice8.2.6Integration by Partial Fraction8.2.7Modelling with Differential Equations
9

Numerical Methods

9.1

Finding Solutions

9.1.1Number Iterations9.1.2Iterations to 1 Decimal Places9.1.3Iteration Formula9.1.4Locating Roots9.1.5Newton Raphson Method
9.2

Finding the Area

9.2.1Trapezium Rule
10

Vectors

10.1

2D Vectors

10.1.1Vectors - Magnitude & Direction10.1.2Unit Vectors10.1.3Vectors - Algebraic Operations10.1.4Position Vectors10.1.5Vector Proofs10.1.6Vectors Word Questions
10.2

3D Vectors

10.2.13D Vector Magnitude10.2.23D Vectors - Algebraic Operations10.2.3Position Vectors 3D10.2.43D Vectors Word Questions
10.3

Vector Proofs

10.3.1Coming Soon

Practice questions on Modelling with Parametric Equations

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    The design of a skateboard ramp is given by the parametric equations: <br>$$x = 3\cos t,\;y=3\sin t+3, \;-\frac{\pi}{2}\leq t\leq0$$ <br>Where $$x$$ and $$y$$ are the horizontal and vertical length in metres respectively.<p>What is the maximum height of the ramp?Multiple choice
  2. 2
    An artist designs a sculpture using the parametric equations: <br>$$x = 13t +\cos t,\;y=7\sin t, \;0\leq t\leq\pi$$ <br>What is the height of the sculpture when $$t = \frac{\pi}{6}$$?Multiple choice
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Parametric Equations

Pascal's Triangle