A point P in the first quadrant lies on the graph of the function f(x) = sqrt x, how do you express the coordinates of P as function of the slope of the line joining P to the origin?

1 Answer
May 24, 2016

If m is the slope of line joining the origin O and P (x, sqrt x), the the coordinates of P become (m^2, m), m >=0. This is a parametric form of the coordinates, for the curve y = sqrt x..

Explanation:

Here, x >= 0. The point P is ( x, sqrt x ).

If m is slope of the line joining the origin O (0, 0) and P (x, sqrt x ),
m = sqrt x / x =sqrt x.

Now, if m is used as a parameter, P is (m^2, m), m>=0.

Thanks to Abhishek Dogra, I have now revised my answer to

remove the error pointed out by him.

The graph is a semi-parabola.

The other half is given by y = - sqrt x.