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The curve defined by the parametric equations $x = t^2$ and $y = 2t$ is shown in Figure 1 below - AQA - A-Level Maths Pure - Question 8 - 2020 - Paper 2

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The curve defined by the parametric equations $x = t^2$ and $y = 2t$ is shown in Figure 1 below. Figure 1 8 (a) Find a Cartesian equation of the curve in the form ... show full transcript

Worked Solution & Example Answer:The curve defined by the parametric equations $x = t^2$ and $y = 2t$ is shown in Figure 1 below - AQA - A-Level Maths Pure - Question 8 - 2020 - Paper 2

Step 1

Find a Cartesian equation of the curve in the form $y^2 = f(x)$

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Answer

To eliminate the parameter tt, we can express tt in terms of xx from the equation:
x=t2t=x.x = t^2 \Rightarrow t = \sqrt{x}.
Now, substitute this expression for tt into the equation for yy:
y=2t=2x.y = 2t = 2\sqrt{x}.
Thus, squaring both sides gives us:
y2=(2x)2=4x.y^2 = (2\sqrt{x})^2 = 4x.
Therefore, the Cartesian equation of the curve is:
y2=4x.y^2 = 4x.

Step 2

By considering the gradient of the curve, show that $\tan \theta = \frac{1}{a}$

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Answer

First, we differentiate the parametric equations
x=t2dxdt=2tx = t^2 \Rightarrow \frac{dx}{dt} = 2t
and
y=2tdydt=2.y = 2t \Rightarrow \frac{dy}{dt} = 2.
Using the formula for the gradient of the curve, we can find
dydx=dydtdxdt=22t=1t.\frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{\frac{dy}{dt}}{\frac{dx}{dt}} = \frac{2}{2t} = \frac{1}{t}.
At the point A where t=at = a, we have:
$$\tan \theta = \frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{1}{a}.$

Step 3

Find $\tan \phi$ in terms of $a$

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Answer

The gradient of line AB, which connects points A and B, where A has coordinates (t2,2t)(t^2, 2t) and B is (1,0)(1, 0), is given by:
tanϕ=yByAxBxA=02a1a2=2a1a2.\tan \phi = \frac{y_B - y_A}{x_B - x_A} = \frac{0 - 2a}{1 - a^2} = \frac{-2a}{1 - a^2}.

Step 4

Show that $\tan 2\theta = \tan \phi$

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Answer

Using the double angle formula for tangent, we have:
tan2θ=2tanθ1tan2θ.\tan 2\theta = \frac{2\tan \theta}{1 - \tan^2 \theta}.
Substituting tanθ=1a\tan \theta = \frac{1}{a} gives:
tan2θ=2(1a)1(1a)2=2a11a2=2aa21a2=2aa21.\tan 2\theta = \frac{2(\frac{1}{a})}{1 - (\frac{1}{a})^2} = \frac{\frac{2}{a}}{1 - \frac{1}{a^2}} = \frac{\frac{2}{a}}{\frac{a^2 - 1}{a^2}} = \frac{2a}{a^2 - 1}.
Now, equating this to tanϕ=2a1a2\tan \phi = \frac{-2a}{1 - a^2}, we see that both expressions are equal, demonstrating that tan2θ=tanϕ\tan 2\theta = \tan \phi.

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