At time t, the particle is at the point (x(t),y(t)),
with x(t)=cost and y(t)=sint.
Over time, the particle traces out a curve; let's call that curve y=f(x).
Then y(t)=f(x(t)), so
the slope of the curve at the point (x(t),y(t))
is f′(x(t)). You are to determine the values of t
for which f′(x(t))=−1.
By the chain rule
y′(t)=f′(x(t))⋅x′(t)
Substituting in x(t)=cost and y(t)=sint gives
cost=f′(x(t))⋅(−sint)
so that
f′(x(t))=−sintcost
is −1 precisely when sint=cost. This happens whenever
t=4π.
Remark: the path traced by the particle is a semicircle. You can
think about the point on the unit circle with angle t, or you
can notice that x2+y2=sin2t+cos2t=1.