Vector Calc: Finding A Path c(t) to Represent a Curve

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on finding the parametric representation, c(t), for the ellipse defined by the equation 4x² + y² = 1. This equation describes an ellipse with a semi-major axis of 1 and a semi-minor axis of 1/4. To derive c(t), one can adapt the standard parametrization of a circle by scaling the x-component appropriately. Specifically, the parametrization can be expressed as c(t) = (1/2)cos(t), sin(t), where t ranges from 0 to 2π.

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I need to find the path, c(t), to represent the set of all (x,y) such that 4x^2 + y^2 = 1. This seems like such a simple question but I don't know where to begin (I know that a path is a function or map over an interval whose image is the function I have). Can anyone offer some help?
 
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Well, you should be able to recognize that as the equation of an ellipse with width 1/4 and height 1. From that you can just write down c(t). You know how to parametrize a circle, right? What would you do to that parametrization so that the curve is 1/4 as wide in the x direction?
 
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