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November 01, 2025, 03:14:42 pm

Author Topic: Parametric Equation Question  (Read 648 times)  Share 

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VCE247

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Parametric Equation Question
« on: March 28, 2011, 07:11:32 am »
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Two Satellites in space follow the parametric equations
Satellite 1
x = sin 2t
y = cos 2t, t greater or equal to 0

Satellite 2
x = 2 cos t
y = 4 sin t
t greater or equal to 0

Units are in 1000 km and hours.
When/Where are they closest in the first 12 hours?

xZero

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Re: Parametric Equation Question
« Reply #1 on: March 28, 2011, 07:53:20 am »
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Since I gtg soon I'll write up what I would do, if you still need help then I'll type it up when I get home from uni :P

The closest distance is when the distance between 2 graphs is the shortest. Use

Sub y2 x2 with the equation of the second satellite and y1 x1 with the first. Differentiate it with respect to t and solve. Then sub t back into the D to check if its min or max and then sub it into the parametric equation to find where the co-ordinates of the satellites
« Last Edit: March 28, 2011, 07:56:27 am by xZero »
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