Parameterizing a curve Edited...
I have a Cartesian equation of a cycloid:
$$\arcsin\left(k\sqrt{y(x)}\right) - k\sqrt{y(x)-k^2y(x)^2} + c = x$$
where $k$ and $c$ are constants.
How might I parameterize it so that I get the usual parameterizations, i.e.
$$\begin{align*}
x&=r(t-\sin{t})\\
y&=r(1-\cos{t})
\end{align*}$$?
Thanks in advance!

I'll give you a way to check if something your fiend friend gave you is a cycloid: the Whewell equation (the equation relating tangential angle $\phi$ and arclength $s$) for the cycloid is
$$s=k\,\sin\,\phi$$
where $k$ is a constant (which is proportional to the radius of the rolling circle). Derive the required expressions for arclength and tangential angle from your parametric equations, and see if the cycloid's Whewell equation holds.
Alternatively, the Cesàro equation (which relates curvature $\kappa$ and arclength) for the cycloid is
$$\frac1{\kappa^2}+s^2=c$$
where $c$ is a constant (that is also related to the radius of the rolling circle). Substitute the appropriate expressions for the curvature and arclength to verify if you have a cycloid.
Both equations are so-called intrinsic equations; equations that depend only on the nature of the curve, and not its orientation/position in the plane.
