# Converting $x=\frac{1}{2}\cos\theta\;;\;\; y=2\sin\theta$ to Cartesian form

How can we transform these parametric equations to Cartesian form?

$x=\frac{1}{2} \cos\theta, \quad y=2\sin\theta \quad\text{ for}\;\;0 \leq \theta \leq \pi$

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Your parametric equaiton for $x$ differs in your original title from that in the body of the question. Which one do you mean? –  Cameron Buie Dec 2 '12 at 15:19
I've fixed it, thanks. –  Rakisbro Dec 2 '12 at 15:23

$(2x)^2+(y/2)^2=\sin^2(\theta)+\cos^2(\theta)=1$

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That's correct Babak, thanks. –  Rakisbro Dec 2 '12 at 15:27

We can use the fact that $\sin^2(\theta) + \cos^2(\theta) = 1,$ and then express the given parametric equations in terms of $\cos\theta$ and $\sin\theta$, respectively.

$x=\frac{1}{2}\cos\theta \iff 2x = \cos\theta$

$y=2\sin\theta \iff \frac12y=\sin\theta$.

Now using the identity: $$\sin^2(\theta) + \cos^2(\theta) = 1,$$ you simply need to substitute into the identity the expressions above for $\sin\theta$ and $\cos\theta$.

Doing so will give you a Cartesian function in $x$ and $y$.

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