Past exam of the mathematics course of the year 1 of the natural sciences course of the University of Cambridge / 2021 / Paper 1 / 11 / b / iii

Put $s=t^2-t^{-2}$. Part (b)(ii) gives $u=s+2i$, soThe parameter $s$ increases strictly from $-15/4$ to $15/4$. Therefore the imaginary part $Y=4s$ increases from $-15$ to $15$, while the real part is $X=s^2-4$. The endpoints areThe real axis crossing is at $s=0$, giving $\boxed{(-4,0)}$ at $t=1$. The two imaginary axis crossings satisfy $s^2=4$, givingIn order, the trajectory passes from its lower endpoint through $(0,-8)$, then the leftmost point $(-4,0)$, then $(0,8)$, to its upper endpoint. It is a right-opening parabola segment, traversed continuously upward as shown in the right panel.