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Worked solution

Eliminate t using a cancelling linear combination

Find the cartesian equation of the curve with parametric equations: x=−4t−1tx=-4t-\dfrac1t, y=3t+12ty=3t+\dfrac1{2t}. marks

[2008/CJC/JC1/MYE/2]

CJC · Review problems · Question 1

Answer

3x2+10xy+8y2+2=03x^2+10xy+8y^2+2=0.

Cancel the reciprocal terms

Dividing the x-equation by 2 gives x/2=−2t−1/(2t)x/2=-2t-1/(2t). Adding the y-equation gives x/2+y=tx/2+y=t, so

t=x+2y2.t=\frac{x+2y}{2}.

The original equations require t≠0t\ne0.

How did this part go?

Substitute and clear the denominator

x=−2(x+2y)−2x+2y.x=-2(x+2y)-\frac2{x+2y}.

Multiplying gives x2+2xy=−2x2−8xy−8y2−2x^2+2xy=-2x^2-8xy-8y^2-2, hence

3x2+10xy+8y2+2=0.3x^2+10xy+8y^2+2=0.

How did this part go?

Check the eliminated restriction

The result factors as (3x+4y)(x+2y)+2=0(3x+4y)(x+2y)+2=0, so no real point on it can have x+2y=0x+2y=0. Thus the original nonzero-t restriction is automatically enforced; no extra component was introduced when clearing the denominator.

How did this part go?

Common mistakes

Multiplying by an expression requires checking that its zero set has not been added.

Solution notes

Printed elimination and Cartesian equation retained; the nonzero-parameter check is added to make the equivalence explicit.

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