PARAMETRIC EQUATIONS Graphing Plane Curves (Page 9 of 12)

Next we will graph another special plane curve, called a Lissajous figure, defined by the parametric equations x = 3sin(2t), y = 2cos(5t). Enter the functions in the function editor.

 Y= key. (Clear any previous functions)

 3 SIN key. 2 X,T,theta,n key. Right parenthesis key. ENTER key.
 2 COS key. 5 X,T,theta,n key. Right parenthesis key.

Calculator screen image.

The sine function has an amplitude of 3, so we will set the WINDOW so that -3 <= x <= 3. The cosine function has an amplitude of 2, so we will set -2 <= y <= 2. The period of the sine function is π, and the period of the cosine function is π/5. The least common multiple of these periods is 2π, so we will set 0 <= t <= 6.3 and let Tstep = 0.1.

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