Parametrizations not really understanding?

[SMA_01]

Hi,


We covered parametrizations in Calc 3. Now, I don't recall actually covering this stuff in Calc 2, so I'm kind of confused. I understand that you are looking for a way to describe all points on a curve, but is that it? I'm having trouble actually understanding how to go about doing it. I'm not really understanding the basics, is what I mean.

Can anyone clarify things for me? Links would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Mark44]

Instead of having y as a function of x, for example, you can have both x and y as functions of some parameter, often t.

Here's an example that is a parametrization of the right side of a parabola.
x = t, y = t², 0 <= t < \infty

Each value of t determines a point on the curve.