Feb/Mar 2022 p32 q4
1643
The parametric equations of a curve are
\(x = 1 - \\cos \theta\),
\(y = \\cos \theta - \frac{1}{4} \\cos 2\theta\).
Show that \(\frac{dy}{dx} = -2 \\sin^2 \left( \frac{1}{2} \theta \right)\).
Solution
First, find \(\frac{dx}{d\theta}\) and \(\frac{dy}{d\theta}\):
\(\frac{dx}{d\theta} = \\sin \theta\)
\(\frac{dy}{d\theta} = -\\sin \theta + \frac{1}{2} \\sin 2\theta\)
Use the chain rule to find \(\frac{dy}{dx}\):
\(\frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{dy}{d\theta} \div \frac{dx}{d\theta} = \frac{-\\sin \theta + \frac{1}{2} \\sin 2\theta}{\\sin \theta}\)
Simplify using the double angle identity \(\sin 2\theta = 2\\sin \theta \\cos \theta\):
\(\frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{-\\sin \theta + \\sin \theta \\cos \theta}{\\sin \theta} = -1 + \\cos \theta\)
Use the identity \(\\cos \theta = 1 - 2\\sin^2 \left( \frac{1}{2} \theta \right)\):
\(\frac{dy}{dx} = -1 + 1 - 2\\sin^2 \left( \frac{1}{2} \theta \right) = -2\\sin^2 \left( \frac{1}{2} \theta \right)\)
Log in to record attempts.