Question

how to do parametric differentiation

Answer 1

Instead of a function y(x) being defined explicitly in terms of the independent variable x, it
is sometimes useful to define both x and y in terms of a third variable, t say, known as a
parameter. In this unit we explain how such functions can be differentiated using a process
known as parametric differentiation.
In order to master the techniques explained here it is vital that you undertake plenty of practice
exercises so that they become second nature.
After reading this text, and/or viewing the video tutorial on this topic, you should be able to:
• differentiate a function defined parametrically
• find the second derivative of such a function