Math Analysis

Problem Set 15-01

⎛ 1 ⎞
1. Find the asymptotes of the path described by the parametric equations ⎜ , 3t ⎟
⎝ t +1 ⎠
without resorting to eliminating the parameter. Below is a set of things to think about
as you approach this problem. There’s a new notation in the table: lim− y ( t ) means
t→−1
we consider values of t that are close to -1 but to the left of it on the number line, so
think of values like -2, -1.1, -1.01, -1.001, -1.0001, etc. What happens, generally, to
y ( t ) as you approach -1 from the left? That’s what this question is asking. Similarly
lim+ x ( t ) means to think of values close to -1, but to the right of -1 on the number
t→−1
line, such as -0.9, -0.99, -0.999, etc. These problems require a bit of “number sense.”
Once you’ve filled in the table you can combine the results to describe the asymptotes
and the graph of the plane curve.
lim x ( t ) = lim y ( t ) = lim− x ( t ) = lim− y ( t ) =
t→∞ t→∞ t→−1 t→−1

lim x ( t ) = lim y ( t ) = lim x ( t ) = lim y ( t ) =

t→−∞ t→−∞ t→−1+ t→−1+

2. Describe the plane curve each of these represents by eliminating the parameter and
then stating everything about the curve!
⎧ x = 3cos (θ ) ⎧ x = 3 + 4 cos (θ )
⎪ ⎪
a. ⎨ b. ⎨
⎪⎩ y = 5sin (θ ) ⎪⎩ y = −2 + sin (θ )
⎧ x = 4 + 3tan (θ ) ⎧ x = −3 + sec (θ )
⎪ ⎪
c. ⎨ d. ⎨
⎪⎩ y = 7 + 4 sec (θ ) ⎪⎩ y = 8 + 5 tan (θ )

3. Using the graphs of a ( t ) and b ( t ) below,

a (t ) b (t )

a. Create a graph of the curve ( a ( t ) ,b ( t )) . Be as accurate as possible.

b. Create a graph of the curve ( b ( t ) ,a ( t )) . Be as accurate as possible.

MA Notes 15 Problem Sets www.turksmathstuff.com

 Math Analysis
Problem Set 15-02

1. For each of the following, eliminate the parameter to find the Cartesian relation.
Also, state everything about the curve…or just make sure you can…
⎧ x = 3 + 2 cos ( t ) ⎧ x = 5 + 8sec ( t )
⎪ ⎪
a. ⎨ b. ⎨
⎪⎩ y = 5 − 4 sin ( t ) ⎪⎩ y = −6 + 3tan ( t )
⎧ x = 6 − 3tan ( 2t ) ⎧ x = 8 − 4 sin ( t )
⎪ ⎪
c. ⎨ d. ⎨
⎪⎩ y = 1+ 7sec ( 2t ) ⎪⎩ y = −5 + 2 cos ( t )
⎧ x = 9 − 3cos ( 4t ) ⎧ x = ( 2 + 3t ) ( 4 − 5t )
⎪ ⎪
e. ⎨ f. ⎨
⎪⎩ y = 5 + 3sin ( 4t ) ⎪⎩ y = ( 5 + 3t ) (1+ 6t )

2. A particle moves along a path and its position with respect to time is modeled by the
⎛ 3 9 ⎞
parametric equations ⎜ 5 + t,8 − t ⎟ , with 0 ≤ t ≤ 30 seconds.
⎝ 10 10 ⎠
a. Where is the particle when it starts its journey? Call this point A.
b. Where is the particle when it ends its journey? Call this point B.
c. Find the midpoint of the journey geometrically using the start and end points.
Confirm that it reaches the midpoint at the midpoint of its travel.
d. Using a calculator determine the distance of the particle from the point ( 6,12 ) at
t = 0 , 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 seconds.
e. Write parametric equations for the particle returning to its original position. Feel
free to use 0 ≤ t ≤ 30 seconds for t.
f. Try to write parametric equations for the particle returning to its original position
using 30 ≤ t ≤ 60 seconds as your interval for t.
g. (Challenge of Sorts) Fill in the table here:
t 0 30 60
x (t )
y (t )
Now, Just look at x ( t ) . Write the three ordered pairs from the table, plot them
roughly, and write an absolute value function that passes through the points.
(Hint: y = a x − h + k is a general sort of form for absolute value.) Repeat this to
find an absolute value function that passes through the points ( t, y ( t )) . Now, take
these answers and write a set of parametric equations for a point that starts at A,
goes to B, and returns to A in 60 seconds. If you accomplished this, good job!

MA Notes 15 Problem Sets www.turksmathstuff.com

 Math Analysis
Problem Set 15-03

1. Given the points A = ( 6,−3) , B = (18,15 ) , C = ( −4,8 ) , and D = (12,−3) .

a. Using absolute values write parametric equations for a particle that starts at point
A, travels to point B, and then returns to A in 20 seconds total. To help do this,
you might consider making a table of values that records t, x, and y, at the three
most important values of t. Why are these parametric equations that you wrote
not a realistic model of the motion of an object making that trip?

b. (Continuation) A better set of parametric equations would make use of

trigonometric functions. Write a set of parametric equations for the same scenario
using trig functions instead of absolute value.

c. Particle 1 moves from point C to point D in 12 seconds. A second Particle 2

moves from point B to point A beginning the journey at the same time. Particle 1
reaches the intersection of their paths 3 seconds before Particle 2. Write
parametric equations for both particles.

d. A target-shooter is standing at the point ( 0,20 ) . A target moves along a path

from B to C in 8 seconds. The shooter takes two shots at the target, one when it is
one-third of the way along the path and a second when it is two-thirds of the way
along the path. The shooter must “lead the target” by 1/20th of a second (that
means he shoots 1/20th of a second before the target reaches the point where it
will be hit). Write parametric equations for each of the shots.

e. A particle travels back and forth between points B and D, taking 30 seconds per
round trip. A second particle, starting at the same time, travels back and forth
between points A and C taking 25 seconds per round trip. What is the minimum
distance between the particles?

These are not related to the points above.

⎛ 3t + 2 5 − 3t ⎞
2. Eliminate the parameter from ⎜ .
⎝ 4 − 8t 4t + 1 ⎟⎠
,

3. Let’s make a tiny little (inaccurate) solar system.

a. The planet travels in a circle around its sun. The radius of the planet’s orbit is 20
units. It takes 200 days for it to circle the sun. Write parametric equations for the
planet, ( xP , yP ) .
b. The planet’s moon circles the planet every 40 days. The moon circles the planet
at a constant radius of 1.5 units. Write parametric equations for the moon,
( x M , yM ) .

MA Notes 15 Problem Sets www.turksmathstuff.com

 Math Analysis
Problem Set 15-04

Given the points A = ( 3,6 ) , B = ( −4,9 ) , and C = ( 7,−4 ) .

a. Write parametric equations for Particle 1 that moves from point A to point B in 10
seconds.

b. Write parametric equation for Particle 2 that moves from point B to point A in 20
seconds.

c. Assuming the particles leave their respective starting positions at exactly the same
time, at what time do and in what location do they crash?

d. Write parametric equations for Particle 3 that moves from point C to point A and
begins its journey when Particle 1 is exactly at the midpoint of its journey but finishes
the journey at the exact same time as Particle 1.

e. Particle 4 moves from point B to point C in 15 seconds. If Particle 1 and Particle 4

start at exactly the same time, how far apart are they 5, 10, and 15 seconds into the
journey?

MA Notes 15 Problem Sets www.turksmathstuff.com