Show gradient expression then find coordinates

A question is this type if and only if it has a multi-part structure where part (a) requires showing a specific dy/dx expression and subsequent parts use that result to find coordinates of special points such as maxima, minima, or axis crossings.

20 questions · Standard +0.2

1.03g Parametric equations: of curves and conversion to cartesian1.07s Parametric and implicit differentiation
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CAIE P2 2023 June Q5
8 marks Standard +0.8
5 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{3966e088-0a2f-434a-94fc-40765cd157a7-06_376_848_269_644} The diagram shows the curve with parametric equations $$x = 4 \mathrm { e } ^ { 2 t } , \quad y = 5 \mathrm { e } ^ { - t } \cos 2 t$$ for \(- \frac { 1 } { 4 } \pi \leqslant t \leqslant \frac { 1 } { 4 } \pi\). The curve has a maximum point \(M\).
  1. Find an expression for \(\frac { \mathrm { d } y } { \mathrm {~d} x }\) in terms of \(t\).
  2. Find the coordinates of \(M\), giving each coordinate correct to 3 significant figures.
CAIE P2 2021 November Q5
8 marks Moderate -0.3
5 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{83d0697c-b133-47da-a745-dfdafa7dbf10-08_663_433_260_854} The diagram shows the curve with parametric equations $$x = \ln ( 2 t + 3 ) , \quad y = \frac { 2 t - 3 } { 2 t + 3 } .$$ The curve crosses the \(y\)-axis at the point \(A\) and the \(x\)-axis at the point \(B\).
  1. Show that \(\frac { \mathrm { d } y } { \mathrm {~d} x } = \frac { 6 } { 2 t + 3 }\).
  2. Find the gradient of the curve at \(A\).
  3. Find the gradient of the curve at \(B\).
CAIE P2 2021 November Q5
8 marks Standard +0.3
5 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{6294c4f4-70a9-4b81-87e0-20e2cc24dd27-08_663_433_260_854} The diagram shows the curve with parametric equations $$x = \ln ( 2 t + 3 ) , \quad y = \frac { 2 t - 3 } { 2 t + 3 }$$ The curve crosses the \(y\)-axis at the point \(A\) and the \(x\)-axis at the point \(B\).
  1. Show that \(\frac { \mathrm { d } y } { \mathrm {~d} x } = \frac { 6 } { 2 t + 3 }\).
  2. Find the gradient of the curve at \(A\).
  3. Find the gradient of the curve at \(B\).
CAIE P2 2016 June Q5
9 marks Standard +0.3
5 A curve is defined by the parametric equations $$x = 2 \tan \theta , \quad y = 3 \sin 2 \theta$$ for \(0 \leqslant \theta < \frac { 1 } { 2 } \pi\).
  1. Show that \(\frac { \mathrm { d } y } { \mathrm {~d} x } = 6 \cos ^ { 4 } \theta - 3 \cos ^ { 2 } \theta\).
  2. Find the coordinates of the stationary point.
  3. Find the gradient of the curve at the point \(\left( 2 \sqrt { } 3 , \frac { 3 } { 2 } \sqrt { } 3 \right)\).
CAIE P2 2016 June Q7
10 marks Moderate -0.3
7 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{a07e6d2f-ded1-4c62-957b-41fb94b46a2d-3_423_837_1352_651} The diagram shows the curve with parametric equations $$x = 2 - \cos t , \quad y = 1 + 3 \cos 2 t$$ for \(0 < t < \pi\). The minimum point is \(M\) and the curve crosses the \(x\)-axis at points \(P\) and \(Q\).
  1. Show that \(\frac { \mathrm { d } y } { \mathrm {~d} x } = - 12 \cos t\).
  2. Find the coordinates of \(M\).
  3. Find the gradient of the curve at \(P\) and at \(Q\).
CAIE P2 2016 June Q7
10 marks Moderate -0.3
7 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{f85c4010-17b1-441c-ae8a-e77573d1b0c3-3_423_837_1352_651} The diagram shows the curve with parametric equations $$x = 2 - \cos t , \quad y = 1 + 3 \cos 2 t$$ for \(0 < t < \pi\). The minimum point is \(M\) and the curve crosses the \(x\)-axis at points \(P\) and \(Q\).
  1. Show that \(\frac { \mathrm { d } y } { \mathrm {~d} x } = - 12 \cos t\).
  2. Find the coordinates of \(M\).
  3. Find the gradient of the curve at \(P\) and at \(Q\).
CAIE P2 2017 June Q8
11 marks Standard +0.3
8 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{de2f8bf3-fd03-4199-9eb2-c9cbac4d4385-10_549_495_258_824} The diagram shows the curve with parametric equations $$x = 2 - \cos 2 t , \quad y = 2 \sin ^ { 3 } t + 3 \cos ^ { 3 } t + 1$$ for \(0 \leqslant t \leqslant \frac { 1 } { 2 } \pi\). The end-points of the curve \(( 1,4 )\) and \(( 3,3 )\).
  1. Show that \(\frac { \mathrm { d } y } { \mathrm {~d} x } = \frac { 3 } { 2 } \sin t - \frac { 9 } { 4 } \cos t\).
  2. Find the coordinates of the minimum point, giving each coordinate correct to 3 significant figures.
  3. Find the exact gradient of the normal to the curve at the point for which \(x = 2\).
CAIE P2 2017 June Q8
11 marks Standard +0.3
8 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{bdc467f6-105e-4429-95c6-701eaa43deff-10_549_495_258_824} The diagram shows the curve with parametric equations $$x = 2 - \cos 2 t , \quad y = 2 \sin ^ { 3 } t + 3 \cos ^ { 3 } t + 1$$ for \(0 \leqslant t \leqslant \frac { 1 } { 2 } \pi\). The end-points of the curve are \(( 1,4 )\) and \(( 3,3 )\).
  1. Show that \(\frac { \mathrm { d } y } { \mathrm {~d} x } = \frac { 3 } { 2 } \sin t - \frac { 9 } { 4 } \cos t\).
  2. Find the coordinates of the minimum point, giving each coordinate correct to 3 significant figures.
  3. Find the exact gradient of the normal to the curve at the point for which \(x = 2\).
CAIE P3 2011 November Q8
9 marks Standard +0.3
8 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{6025cf1d-525e-4f12-9517-f20ef5fff2fa-3_698_1006_758_571} The diagram shows the curve with parametric equations $$x = \sin t + \cos t , \quad y = \sin ^ { 3 } t + \cos ^ { 3 } t$$ for \(\frac { 1 } { 4 } \pi < t < \frac { 5 } { 4 } \pi\).
  1. Show that \(\frac { \mathrm { d } y } { \mathrm {~d} x } = - 3 \sin t \cos t\).
  2. Find the gradient of the curve at the origin.
  3. Find the values of \(t\) for which the gradient of the curve is 1 , giving your answers correct to 2 significant figures.
CAIE P2 2015 November Q7
11 marks Standard +0.3
7 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{250b4df9-2646-4246-bb6d-2be92bf29598-3_553_689_258_726} The parametric equations of a curve are $$x = 6 \sin ^ { 2 } t , \quad y = 2 \sin 2 t + 3 \cos 2 t$$ for \(0 \leqslant t < \pi\). The curve crosses the \(x\)-axis at points \(B\) and \(D\) and the stationary points are \(A\) and \(C\), as shown in the diagram.
  1. Show that \(\frac { \mathrm { d } y } { \mathrm {~d} x } = \frac { 2 } { 3 } \cot 2 t - 1\).
  2. Find the values of \(t\) at \(A\) and \(C\), giving each answer correct to 3 decimal places.
  3. Find the value of the gradient of the curve at \(B\).
CAIE P2 Specimen Q7
11 marks Standard +0.3
7 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{77672e56-a268-47b8-ab8b-cd84b4b3de4f-10_551_689_258_726} The parametric equations of a curve are $$x = 6 \sin ^ { 2 } t , \quad y = 2 \sin 2 t + 3 \cos 2 t$$ for \(0 \leqslant t < \pi\). The curve crosses the \(x\)-axis at points \(B\) and \(D\) and the stationary points are \(A\) and \(C\), as shown in the diagram.
  1. Show that \(\frac { \mathrm { d } y } { \mathrm {~d} x } = \frac { 2 } { 3 } \cot 2 t - 1\).
  2. Find the values of \(t\) at \(A\) and \(C\), giving each answer correct to 3 decimal places.
  3. Find the value of the gradient of the curve at \(B\).
OCR C4 2016 June Q9
15 marks Standard +0.3
9 A curve has parametric equations \(x = 1 - \cos t , y = \sin t \sin 2 t\), for \(0 \leqslant t \leqslant \pi\).
  1. Find the coordinates of the points where the curve meets the \(x\)-axis.
  2. Show that \(\frac { \mathrm { d } y } { \mathrm {~d} x } = 2 \cos 2 t + 2 \cos ^ { 2 } t\). Hence find, in an exact form, the coordinates of the stationary points.
  3. Find the cartesian equation of the curve. Give your answer in the form \(y = \mathrm { f } ( x )\), where \(\mathrm { f } ( x )\) is a polynomial.
  4. Sketch the curve.
OCR MEI C4 2009 January Q8
19 marks Standard +0.8
8 Fig. 8 illustrates a hot air balloon on its side. The balloon is modelled by the volume of revolution about the \(x\)-axis of the curve with parametric equations $$x = 2 + 2 \sin \theta , \quad y = 2 \cos \theta + \sin 2 \theta , \quad ( 0 \leqslant \theta \leqslant 2 \pi ) .$$ The curve crosses the \(x\)-axis at the point \(\mathrm { A } ( 4,0 )\). B and C are maximum and minimum points on the curve. Units on the axes are metres. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{f61b7d80-8e21-4720-8e8c-259531c1b305-4_821_809_575_667} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 8}
\end{figure}
  1. Find \(\frac { \mathrm { d } y } { \mathrm {~d} x }\) in terms of \(\theta\).
  2. Verify that \(\frac { \mathrm { d } y } { \mathrm {~d} x } = 0\) when \(\theta = \frac { 1 } { 6 } \pi\), and find the exact coordinates of B . Hence find the maximum width BC of the balloon.
  3. (A) Show that \(y = x \cos \theta\).
    (B) Find \(\sin \theta\) in terms of \(x\) and show that \(\cos ^ { 2 } \theta = x - \frac { 1 } { 4 } x ^ { 2 }\).
    (C) Hence show that the cartesian equation of the curve is \(y ^ { 2 } = x ^ { 3 } - \frac { 1 } { 4 } x ^ { 4 }\).
  4. Find the volume of the balloon.
OCR MEI C4 2005 June Q6
8 marks Standard +0.3
6 A curve has cartesian equation \(y ^ { 2 } - x ^ { 2 } = 4\).
  1. Verify that $$x = t - \frac { 1 } { t } , \quad y = t + \frac { 1 } { t } ,$$ are parametric equations of the curve.
  2. Show that \(\frac { \mathrm { d } y } { \mathrm {~d} x } = \frac { ( t - 1 ) ( t + 1 ) } { t ^ { 2 } + 1 }\). Hence find the coordinates of the stationary points of the curve. Section B (36 marks)
Pre-U Pre-U 9794/1 2013 June Q11
10 marks Moderate -0.3
11 A curve has parametric equations given by $$x = 2 \sin \theta , \quad y = \cos 2 \theta$$
  1. Show that \(\frac { \mathrm { d } y } { \mathrm {~d} x } = - 2 \sin \theta\).
  2. Hence find the equation of the tangent to the curve at \(\theta = \frac { 1 } { 2 } \pi\).
  3. Find the cartesian equation of the curve.
CAIE P2 2016 November Q6
9 marks Standard +0.3
A curve has parametric equations $$x = \ln(t + 1), \quad y = t^2 \ln t.$$
  1. Find an expression for \(\frac{dy}{dx}\) in terms of \(t\). [5]
  2. Find the exact value of \(t\) at the stationary point. [2]
  3. Find the gradient of the curve at the point where it crosses the \(x\)-axis. [2]
CAIE P2 2018 November Q5
9 marks Standard +0.3
A curve has parametric equations $$x = t + \ln(t + 1), \quad y = 3te^{2t}.$$
  1. Find the equation of the tangent to the curve at the origin. [5]
  2. Find the coordinates of the stationary point, giving each coordinate correct to 2 decimal places. [4]
Edexcel C4 Q5
12 marks Standard +0.3
\includegraphics{figure_1} The curve shown in Fig. 1 has parametric equations $$x = \cos t, \quad y = \sin 2t, \quad 0 \leq t < 2\pi.$$
  1. Find an expression for \(\frac{dy}{dx}\) in terms of the parameter \(t\). [3]
  2. Find the values of the parameter \(t\) at the points where \(\frac{dy}{dx} = 0\). [3]
  3. Hence give the exact values of the coordinates of the points on the curve where the tangents are parallel to the \(x\)-axis. [2]
  4. Show that a cartesian equation for the part of the curve where \(0 \leq t < \pi\) is $$y = 2x\sqrt{(1 - x^2)}.$$ [3]
  5. Write down a cartesian equation for the part of the curve where \(\pi \leq t < 2\pi\). [1]
OCR MEI C4 2009 June Q5
7 marks Standard +0.3
A curve has parametric equations $$x = at^3, \quad y = \frac{a}{1+t^2},$$ where \(a\) is a constant. Show that \(\frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{-2}{3t(1+t^2)^2}\). Hence find the gradient of the curve at the point \((a, \frac{1}{2}a)\). [7]
Pre-U Pre-U 9794/1 2010 June Q5
7 marks Standard +0.3
The parametric equations of a curve are \(x = \frac{1}{1 + t^2}\) and \(y = \frac{t}{1 + t^2}\), \(t \in \mathbb{R}\).
  1. Find \(\frac{dy}{dx}\) in terms of \(t\). [5]
  2. Hence find the coordinates of the stationary points of the curve. [2]