CAIE P3 2009 June — Question 6

Exam BoardCAIE
ModuleP3 (Pure Mathematics 3)
Year2009
SessionJune
TopicParametric equations

6 The parametric equations of a curve are $$x = a \cos ^ { 3 } t , \quad y = a \sin ^ { 3 } t$$ where \(a\) is a positive constant and \(0 < t < \frac { 1 } { 2 } \pi\).
  1. Express \(\frac { \mathrm { d } y } { \mathrm {~d} x }\) in terms of \(t\).
  2. Show that the equation of the tangent to the curve at the point with parameter \(t\) is $$x \sin t + y \cos t = a \sin t \cos t$$
  3. Hence show that, if this tangent meets the \(x\)-axis at \(X\) and the \(y\)-axis at \(Y\), then the length of \(X Y\) is always equal to \(a\).