Steply

Graph x = 2t, y = 4t + 1

Step by step, with the reason for every step · Parametric equations · Precalculus

Step by step

The question

Question: graph and remove t from x = 2t, y = 4t + 1.

x = 2t and y = 4t + 1

1 Make a table

Each t gives a point.

Start with t = −2.

x is 2 × (−2): −4.

t = −2: x = 2 × (−2) = −4

y is 4 × (−2) + 1: −7.

y = 4 × (−2) + 1 = −7

Put the t's in a table.

Work out x for each t,

−4
−2
0
2
4

and y for each t.

−7
−3
1
5
9

2 Plot the points

Draw the grid.

Put each (x, y) on the grid.

3 Join in order of t

Join the points in order: t = −2, then −1, and on.

The arrows show the way t grows.

t can go on, so the curve goes on.

4 Remove t

t has 2 in front.

To remove times 2, we divide by 2.

t = x2

Put t into y = 4t + 1, with its bracket.

y = 4 × x2 + 1

Careful!

4 multiplies all of t.

Keep the bracket, then open it.

Careful: not y = 4x + 1 ✗

4/2 is 2.

So y = 2x + 1: a straight line.

y = 2x + 1

5 Check

Let's check with a point from the table: t = 2 gave (4, 9).

Put x = 4 into the answer.

We get y = 9, the same as the table.

Right!

x = 4: y = 2x + 1 = 9

Let's look back.

First: make a table.

Then: plot the points.

Then: join in order of t.

Then: remove t.

Last: check.

Answer
y = 2x + 1

Your turn

Try this one yourself, then check:

Graph and remove t from x = 2t, y = 2t + 2
Show the answer
y = x + 2

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