C4 June 2014 (R) Q8

EdexcelOld spec12 marksParametric EquationsTrigonometry

8.

Figure 3: oval-shaped curve, open at the top, cutting the x-axis twice, with point A(k, 1) marked on the right-hand side above the x-axis
Figure 3

The curve shown in Figure 3 has parametric equations \[x = t - 4\sin t,\quad y = 1 - 2\cos t, \qquad -\frac{2\pi}{3} \leqslant t \leqslant \frac{2\pi}{3}\]

The point \(A\), with coordinates \((k, 1)\), lies on the curve.

Given that \(k > 0\)

(a) find the exact value of \(k\), (2)
(b) find the gradient of the curve at the point \(A\). (4)

There is one point on the curve where the gradient is equal to \(-\dfrac{1}{2}\)

(c) Find the value of \(t\) at this point, showing each step in your working and giving your answer to 4 decimal places.
[Solutions based entirely on graphical or numerical methods are not acceptable.] (6)