5-2 Parametric Graphing
Getting Started is a fast-paced introduction. Read the chapter for details.
Graph the parametric equation that describes the path of a ball kicked at an
angle of 60¡ with an initial velocity of 15 meters per second. (Ignore air
resistance.) What is the maximum height? When does the ball strike the ground?
1. Press 3, and then press 8 8 8 8 8 9 ¸ to
select PARAM mode.
For initial velocity v0 and angle q, the horizontal
component of the ball as a function of time is
X(t) = t v0 cos q. The vertical component is
Y(t) = t v0 sin q -(gà2) t2. The gravity constant g is
9.8 màsec2.
2. Press (. Press 15 @ X 60 2 E 1 (to select
¡) ¸ to define the X portion of the parametric
equation in terms of T.
3. Press 15 @ W 60 2 E 1 (to select ¡) | c
9.8 e 2 d @ a ¸ to define the Y portion.
4. Press ). Enter the Window variables
appropriate for this problem.
TMIN=0 XMIN=ë2 YMIN=ë2
TMAX=3 XMAX=25 YMAX=10
TSTEP=.2 XSCL=5 YSCL=5
5. Press + to graph the position of the ball as a
function of time.
Tracing begins at TMIN. As you press 9~ to trace the
curve, the cursor follows the path of the ball over
time. The values for X (distance), Y (height), and T
(time) are displayed at the bottom of the screen.
The maximum height is approximately 8.6 meters. The
ball strikes the ground in approximately 2.6 seconds.
Getting Started: Path of a Ball