Steply

Graph x = t + 1, y = 2t

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

Step by step

The question

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

x = t + 1 and y = 2t

1 Make a table

Each t gives a point.

Start with t = −2.

x is (−2) + 1: −1.

t = −2: x = (−2) + 1 = −1

y is 2 × (−2): −4.

y = 2 × (−2) = −4

Put the t's in a table.

Work out x for each t,

−1
0
1
2
3

and y for each t.

−4
−2
0
2
4

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

To get t alone, start with x = t + 1.

To remove + 1, we take away 1.

We do it on both sides, so they stay equal.

x − 1 = t + 1 − 1

So t = x − 1.

t = x − 1

Put t into y = 2t, with its bracket.

y = 2(x − 1)

Careful!

2 multiplies all of t.

Keep the bracket, then open it.

Careful: not y = 2x − 1 ✗

Open the bracket.

So y = 2x − 2: a straight line.

y = 2x − 2

5 Check

Let's check with a point from the table: t = 2 gave (3, 4).

Put x = 3 into the answer.

We get y = 4, the same as the table.

Right!

x = 3: y = 2x − 2 = 4

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 − 2

Your turn

Try this one yourself, then check:

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

More from Parametric equations

The whole lesson: Parametric equations →