Solving Parametric Equation: Find dy^2/dx^2 in Terms of t

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The discussion focuses on finding the second derivative of y with respect to x, specifically dy^2/dx^2, in terms of the parameter t for the parametric equations x = 2cos(t) - cos(2t) and y = 2sin(t) + sin(2t). The user initially derived dy^2/dx^2 = (1 + cos(t))/(2sin^3(t)(1 - 2cos(t))), while the correct answer is dy^2/dx^2 = -1/(sin^3(t)(2cos(t) - 1)). The discussion emphasizes the importance of using the correct chain rule and derivatives in parametric equations.

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Hi...i was just wondering if anyone gets the same answer to what i get for the following question...thanks...

find \frac{dy^2}{dx^2} in terms of t for...

x = 2cost - cos2t, y = 2sint + sin2t...

i got my answer to be \frac{1 + cost}{2sin^3t(1 -2cost)}

the answer is given as \frac{-1}{sin^3t(2cost -1)}

have i gone wrong somewhere...do i need to simplify further...the answer i got and the one that is given do have some similarities so I'm just wondering...?...
 
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You have:
\frac{dy}{dt}=\frac{dy}{dx}\frac{dx}{dt}\to\frac{dy}{dx}=\frac{\frac{dy}{dt}}{\frac{dx}{dt}}
Also:
\frac{d^{2}y}{dt^{2}}=\frac{d^{2}y}{dx^{2}}(\frac{dx}{dt})^{2}+\frac{dy}{dx}\frac{d^{2}x}{dt^{2}}
Rearranging, we get:
\frac{d^{2}y}{dx^{2}}=\frac{\frac{d^{2}y}{dt^{2}}\frac{dx}{dt}-\frac{dy}{dt}\frac{d^{2}x}{dt^{2}}}{(\frac{dx}{dt})^{3}}
 
Last edited:
Hi...thank you...

i found:

\frac{d^2y}{dx^2}

= (d/dt)(dy/dx) * (dt/dx)

did you get the same answer as me...?...
 
Do not use that form; instead let:
y(t)=y(x(t))
Follow the derivation in post 3 to find the correct expression.
(The notation used here is rather sloppy, but it shouldn't be too difficult to follow)
 
Hi...thank you...

the method i mentioned is the way we've been shown in the textbook and in the notes...and that's the way I've tackled other questions...it's better for me to stick to the method shown in the classes...

i got dx/dt = -2sint + 2sin2t and dy/dt = 2cost + 2cos2t...

then i got dy/dx = (cost + 1)/sint

then (d^2t)/(dx^2) = (d/dt)(dy/dx) * dt/dx...

i got (d/dt)(dy/dx) = (-1 - cost)/(sin^2t)

and dt/dx = 1/(-2sint + 2cost)

then (d^2t)/(dx^2) = (1 + cost)/[(2sin^3(t)(1 - cost)]...

but the answer is given as something else...?...
 
naav said:
the method i mentioned is the way we've been shown in the textbook and in the notes...and that's the way I've tackled other questions...it's better for me to stick to the method shown in the classes...
Personally, I would stick with the more efficient/clever method regardless of where I've learned it from, but anywho...

i got dx/dt = -2sint + 2sin2t and dy/dt = 2cost + 2cos2t...
Correct.
then i got dy/dx = (cost + 1)/sint
Where are you getting this from? You might one to check this again.
 
Hi...thank you...

i got dx/dy = (dy/dt)/(dx/dt)...

according to the answer I've got that bit right...
 
naav said:
Hi...thank you...

i got dx/dy = (dy/dt)/(dx/dt)...

according to the answer I've got that bit right...

No, dx/dy= (dx/dt)/(dy/dt)
 
Hi...sorry, i was meaning the first derivative - dy/dx...

dy/dx = (dy/dt)/(dx/dt)
 

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