Can someone walk me through the steps to make sure that I am doing the right thing?

Eliminate the parameter in the parametric equations x = (1/4)t and y = t2 and write the rectangular equation whose graph represents the curve.

Question

Can someone walk me through the steps to make sure that I am doing the right thing? 

Eliminate the parameter in the parametric equations x = (1/4)t and y = t2 and write the rectangular equation whose graph represents the curve.

anonymous · Answer

I think it is y=16x^2

anonymous · Answer

yes

anonymous · Answer

So that is the right answer?

phi · Answer

yes.   x = (1/4) t  so   t = 4x  (multiply both sides by 4)
and t^2 = 16x^2   (square both sides)
they say y = t^2  to y = 16 x^2

anonymous · Answer

Now the plus or minus from the square root goes away at the end, right?

anonymous · Answer

I doesn't matter, correct?

phi · Answer

what square root ?  
you start with
 x = (1/4)t and y = t^2

if you do as posted above, you never take the square root.

anonymous · Answer

Oh. Nevermind... Lol.

anonymous · Answer

Thanks. I looked at the wrong problem.

phi · Answer

you could do
y = t^2
sqrt(y)= t
x= (1/4)*sqrt(y)

and you probably should take just the positive root

anonymous · Answer

Yeah, that's what I did... Ah!
It's been a long week..., but thanks.