The parametric equations of a curve are
\(x = \frac{1}{\cos^3 t}\), \(y = \tan^3 t\),
where \(0 \leq t < \frac{1}{2} \pi\).
(i) Show that \(\frac{dy}{dx} = \sin t\).
(ii) Hence show that the equation of the tangent to the curve at the point with parameter \(t\) is \(y = x \sin t - \tan t\).
Solution
(i) To find \(\frac{dy}{dx}\), we first find \(\frac{dx}{dt}\) and \(\frac{dy}{dt}\).
\(x = \frac{1}{\cos^3 t} \Rightarrow \frac{dx}{dt} = \frac{3 \sin t}{\cos^4 t}\)
\(y = \tan^3 t \Rightarrow \frac{dy}{dt} = 3 \tan^2 t \sec^2 t\)
Now, \(\frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{\frac{dy}{dt}}{\frac{dx}{dt}} = \frac{3 \tan^2 t \sec^2 t}{\frac{3 \sin t}{\cos^4 t}} = \sin t\)
(ii) The equation of the tangent to the curve at a point is given by \(y - y_1 = m(x - x_1)\), where \(m = \frac{dy}{dx}\).
At parameter \(t\), \(x_1 = \frac{1}{\cos^3 t}\) and \(y_1 = \tan^3 t\).
Substituting, \(y - \tan^3 t = \sin t \left(x - \frac{1}{\cos^3 t}\right)\)
Simplifying, \(y = x \sin t - \tan t\)
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