# Parameterize a union of circles

1. Feb 1, 2014

### chipotleaway

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Let $C=\lbrace(x,y) \in R^2: x^2+y^2=1 \rbrace \cup \lbrace (x,y) \in R^2: (x-1)^2+y^2=1 \rbrace$. Give a parameterization of the curve C.

3. The attempt at a solution
I'm not sure how valid it is but I tried to use a 'piecewise parameterisation', defining it to be $r(t)=(cos(t+\frac{\pi}{6}), sin(t+\frac{\pi}{6})$ for all $t \in [0, 2\pi)$ and $r(t)=(cos(t+\frac{2\pi}{3})+1, sin(t+\frac{2\pi}{3})$ for all $t \in [2\pi, 4\pi]$.

So it traces out the first circle out at the top intersection and then the second. But I'm not sure how to make this smooth at the intersection, and one-to-one, as I'm quite sure it has to be. This is the best I could come up with.

2. Feb 2, 2014

### SammyS

Staff Emeritus
What are the coordinates of the points of intersection ?

3. Feb 2, 2014

### haruspex

You would parameterise the one circle as x = r cos(t), etc., and the other as x = 1+r cos(t). How would you write the condition that x is either r cos(t) or 1+r cos(t)?

4. Feb 13, 2014

### chipotleaway

@SammyS: The circles intersect at $x=\frac{1}{2}$

@haruspex: As a hybrid function/parameterization? So x=cos(t) for t in some interval and x=cos(t)+1 for t in another interval?

Would this mean we are doing two separate parameterizations and so they don't have to be smooth at the intersection?