Meaning of parameter in an ellipse equation?

[apple2357]

If you take the parametric equation of a circle say x= cost and y = sin t , its clear to see what the t represents, i.e. the angle formed with the x axis ( thinking about the unit circle).
Its not clear to me what the parameter represents when looking at an ellipse , x =4cos(t) , y= 3sin(t), is the t still an angle? Does it have any physical interpretation ?

 

[Dr.Peterson]

Yes, it's the angle used in the construction explained here, using two circles and one angle, t. (I've used this method in a construction project that needed an ellipse, but didn't know it had a name.)

 

[apple2357]

Thanks! So its the angle in the circumscribed circle... interesting