Parametric & Vector (BC)

Quick Notes

• These are questions involving 2-dimensional motion. Almost every year, motion is an FRQ (either 1D or 2D).

• These problems are usually calculator questions, and typically you will have either polar or parametric as #2 on the BC exam.

• Remember that parametric equations and vectors are just different ways of expressing the same thing.

• Most of the same concepts as 1D motion apply here, but you treat the x and y components separately.

• Speed is the magnitude of velocity, so we use Pythagorean Theorem with the components of the velocity vector.

• Distance is the integral of speed. This is the same as with 1D motion; it just looks different.

• The slope of the path is dy/dx, which you get using y'(t)/x'(t).

• Even though this will likely be a calculator-active question, make sure to show the setup so that the reader knows what calculus you are doing.

~ Related CED Units ~ 9

FRQ Samples

2024 BC 2

2023 BC 2

2022 BC 2

2021 BC 2

2016 BC 2

2015 BC 2

2012 BC 2

~ Reference Sheet ~

Parametric & Vectors

Created by Bryan Passwater.