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Ch. 5 - Complex Numbers, Polar Coordinates and Parametric Equations
Blitzer - Trigonometry 3rd Edition
Blitzer3rd EditionTrigonometryISBN: 9780137316601Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 5, Problem 5.5.45

In Exercises 45–52, use your answers from Exercises 41–44 and the parametric equations given in Exercises 41–44 to find a set of parametric equations for the conic section or the line.


Circle: Center: (3,5); Radius: 6

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1
Recall the standard parametric equations for a circle with center \((h, k)\) and radius \(r\):
\[ x = h + r \cos(t) \]
\[ y = k + r \sin(t) \]
Identify the center \((h, k)\) and radius \(r\) from the problem: center \((3, 5)\) and radius \(6\).
Substitute these values into the parametric equations to get:
\[ x = 3 + 6 \cos(t) \]
\[ y = 5 + 6 \sin(t) \]

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Parametric Equations of a Circle

Parametric equations represent a circle by expressing x and y coordinates as functions of a parameter, usually t. For a circle centered at (h, k) with radius r, the equations are x = h + r cos(t) and y = k + r sin(t), where t varies from 0 to 2π.
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Understanding the Center and Radius

The center (h, k) of a circle determines its position on the coordinate plane, while the radius r defines its size. These values are essential for constructing the parametric equations, as they shift and scale the standard unit circle equations accordingly.
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Parameter Range and Interpretation

The parameter t typically represents an angle in radians and varies from 0 to 2π to trace the entire circle once. Understanding this range helps in visualizing the motion along the circle and ensures the parametric equations cover all points on the circle.
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