AP Precalculus / Unit 4: Functions Involving Parameters, Vectors, and Matrices
4.1 Parametric Functions
Notes
A parametric function gives $x$ and $y$ each in terms of a parameter $t$: $(x(t),y(t))$.
- As $t$ increases, the point traces a curve in a direction.
Practice
$x(t)=t+1$, $y(t)=t^2$. At $t=2$, the point is:
$x=3$, $y=4$.
Eliminating $t$ from $x=t$, $y=2t+1$ gives:
Substitute $t=x$.
The parameter $t$ often represents:
Motion over time is the common use.
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