Chapter 10: Problem 19
A pair of parametric equations is given.
(a) Sketch the curve represented by the parametric equations.
(b) Find a rectangular-coordinate equation for the curve by eliminating the
parameter.
$$x=\tan t, \quad y=\cot t, \quad 0
Short Answer
Expert verified
The curve is a hyperbola given by the equation \(xy=1\) for \(x > 0, y > 0\).
Step by step solution
01
Understand the parametric equations
We have the parametric equations: \( x = \tan t \) and \( y = \cot t \). The parameter \( t \) lies in the interval \( 0 < t < \frac{\pi}{2} \). This means \( \tan t \) and \( \cot t \) are both positive in this interval.
02
Analyze the given interval for t
In the interval \(0 < t < \frac{\pi}{2}\), the function \(\tan t\) increases from 0 to infinity, and \(\cot t\) decreases from infinity to 0.
03
Sketch the curve
Create the xy-plane and plot points for values of \(t\) in the interval. For example, if \(t\) is close to 0, then \(x = \tan t \approx 0\), and \(y = \cot t\) is large. As \(t\) approaches \(\frac{\pi}{2}\), \(x = \tan t\) becomes very large, and \(y = \cot t\) approaches 0. The curve is an asymptotic approach from \((0, \, \infty)\) to \((\infty, \, 0)\).
04
Eliminate the parameter
We use the identities \(x = \tan t\) and \(y = \cot t\). We know that \(\tan t = \frac{1}{\cot t}\), which gives \(x = \frac{1}{y}\). Multiplying both sides by \(y\), we obtain \(xy = 1\).
05
Write the rectangular coordinate equation
Based on the elimination of the parameter, the rectangular-coordinate equation of the curve is \(xy = 1\), which is a standard equation for a hyperbola in the first and third quadrants.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Rectangular Coordinates
Rectangular coordinates are a way to represent points in a plane using two perpendicular lines, usually labeled as the x-axis and the y-axis. Imagine a grid where each point can be specified by a pair of values \(x, y\). This setup allows us to describe the position of a point through standard horizontal and vertical distance measures from the origin \(0, 0\).
In Cartesian coordinates, the horizontal distance from the y-axis is the x-coordinate, while the vertical distance from the x-axis is the y-coordinate.
In Cartesian coordinates, the horizontal distance from the y-axis is the x-coordinate, while the vertical distance from the x-axis is the y-coordinate.
- To move from parametric equations to rectangular coordinates, we use relations between the parametric variables.
- This transformation typically involves mathematical manipulation to eliminate the parameter and express the relationship exclusively with x and y.
- In our example, we've changed the parametric forms \(x = \tan t\) and \(y = \cot t\) into a simple equation \(xy = 1\).
Eliminating Parameters
Eliminating parameters in mathematics involves removing the independent parameter (in this case, \(t\)) from a system of parametric equations in order to derive a single equation that relates x and y directly. This process is crucial when you aim to express a curve in a standard coordinate system.
In the given exercise, we have \(x = \tan t \) and \(y = \cot t\). By recognizing trigonometric identities, specifically that \(\tan t = \frac{1}{\cot t}\), this relationship can be exploited to eliminate the parameter t. Here's how it looks in steps:
In the given exercise, we have \(x = \tan t \) and \(y = \cot t\). By recognizing trigonometric identities, specifically that \(\tan t = \frac{1}{\cot t}\), this relationship can be exploited to eliminate the parameter t. Here's how it looks in steps:
- Substitute the identity \(\tan t = \frac{1}{\cot t}\) into the equation for x, so you express \(x\) directly in terms of \(y\).
- Upon multiplying both sides by \(y\), you obtain the rectangular equation \(xy = 1\), which cleanly describes the curve.
Sketching Curves
Sketching curves can initially seem challenging, but it's often a straightforward task with a systematic approach. It involves creating a visual representation of the relationship between variables, in this case, derived from parametric equations.
Let's think about the process for sketching the curve defined by \(x = \tan t\) and \(y = \cot t\).
Let's think about the process for sketching the curve defined by \(x = \tan t\) and \(y = \cot t\).
- First, identify key points, such as the behavior of the equations at the extremities of the parameter's domain \(0 < t < \frac{\pi}{2}\).
- At \(t\) close to zero, \(x = \tan t\), very small, while \(y = \cot t\) is very large.
- Conversely, as \(t\) nears \(\frac{\pi}{2}\), \(x\) becomes large, \(y\) approaches zero.