When trying to figure out the graphs of polar equations we can convert them to rectangular equations particularly if we recognize

the graph in rectangular coordinates.

r ! 7 We could square both sides 2 r ! 49

Now use our conversion:

r !x y
2 2 2 2

x  y ! 49
We recognize this as a circle with center at (0, 0) and a radius of 7.

On polar graph paper it will centered at the origin and out 7

Let's try another:

T U! Take the tangent of both sides 3 To graph on a polar plot T T we'd go to where U ! tan U ! tan ! 3 3 and make a line. 3
y tan U ! x

Now use our conversion:

y ! 3 x y ! 3x

Multiply both sides by x

We recognize this as a line with slope square root of 3.

Let's try another:

r sin ! 5
y ! r sin U

Now use our conversion:

y ! 5

We recognize this as a horizontal line 5 units below the origin (or on a polar plot below the pole)

Sometimes converting to rectangular equations doesn't help us figure out what the graph would look like or it is not necessary. The only way we know how to convert is if there is an r in front of r ! 1 sin U the sin U term so we'll multiply both sides by r. 2

r ! r  r sin U
r !x y
2 2

Now use our conversions:

2

r! x y

y ! r sin U

I still don't 2 2 2 2 know what the x y ! x y y graph looks like! In these cases we'll plot points, choosing a U from the polar form and finding a corresponding r value.

Before we do this, if we knew something about the symmetry of the graph we may not have to find as many points. TESTS FOR SYMMETRY
These tests are sufficient but not necessary so if test fails you don't know anything.

Symmetry with Respect to the Polar Axis (x axis) Symmetry with Respect to the Line U = T/2 (y axis) Symmetry with Respect to the Pole (Origin)

(r, U) (r, -U)

(r, T-U) (r, U)

Replace U by - U and if you get original equation back Replace U by T - U and if you get original equation back Replace r by - r and if you get original equation back

(r, U) (- r, U)

Let's test for symmetry Polar Axis: r ! 1  sin  U Line U = T/2: r ! 1  sin   U T

r ! 1 sin U
FAILS

r ! 1 sin U
Use the difference formula

r ! 1  sin T cos U  cos T sin U

0
Pole:

r ! 1 sin U

-1

This IS the original equation! So this graph is symmetric with respect to the line U = T/2 (y axis). We will only need to choose U's on the right side of the graph then and we can use symmetry to get the other half.

 r ! 1 sin U

Not the original equation.

U
T  2 T  3 T  6

r ! 1 sin U
1   1 ! 2
3 } 1.87 1  2 1 1   ! 1.5 2 1 0 ! 1 1 1 1 ! 2 2 3 1 } 0.13 2

This type of graph is called a cardioid.

0 T 6 T 3 T 2

Let's let each unit be 1/4. Let's plot the symmetric points

1 1 ! 0

Equations of carioids would look like one of the following:

r = a(1 + cosU) r = a(1 - cosU)

r = a(1 + sinU) r = a(1 - sinU)

where a > 0
All graphs of cardioids pass through the pole.

Let's try another:

r ! 3  2 cos U
YES!

Let's test for symmetry Polar Axis: r ! 3  2 cos U

r ! 3  2 cos U

T Line U = T/2: r ! 3  2 cos  U Use the difference formula r ! 3  2cos T cos U  sin T sin U
-1 0

r ! 3  2 cos U

Not the original equation So this graph is symmetric with respect to the polar axis (x axis). We will only need to choose U's on the top half of the graph then and we can use symmetry to get the other half.

Pole:  r ! 3  2 cos U Not the original equation.

U
0 T 6 T 3 T 2 2T 3 5T 6

r ! 3  2 cos U 3  2 ! 5 1
3 } 4.73 3  2 2 1 3  2 ! 4 2 3  20 ! 3 1 3  2  ! 2 2 3 } 1.27 3  2  2 3  2 1 ! 1

This type of graph is called a limacon without an inner loop.

Let's let each unit be 1. Let's plot the symmetric points

Equations of limacons without inner loops would look like one of the following:

r = a +b cosU r = a - b cosU

r = a +b sinU r = a - b sinU

where a > 0, b > 0, and a > b

These graphs DO NOT pass through the pole.

Let's try another:

r ! 1 2 cos U
YES!

Let's test for symmetry Polar Axis: r ! 1  2 cos U

r ! 1 2 cos U

T Line U = T/2: r ! 1  2 cos  U Use the difference formula r ! 1  2cos T cos U  sin T sin U
-1
Pole:

r ! 1 2 cos U

Not the original equation So this graph is symmetric with respect to the polar axis (x axis). We will only need to choose U's on the top half of the graph then and we can use symmetry to get the other half.

 r ! 1 2 cos U

Not the original equation.

0 T 3 } 2.73 1  2 6 2 T 1 3 1  2 2 ! 2 T 1  20 ! 1 2 2T 1  2  1 ! 0 2 3 5T 3 } 0.73 1  2  6 2 T 1  2 1 ! 1

r ! 1 2 cos U 1  2 ! 3 1

This type of graph is called a limacon with an inner loop.

Let's let each unit be 1/2.

Let's plot the symmetric points

Equations of limacons with inner loops would look like one of the following:

r = a +b cosU r = a - b cosU

r = a +b sinU r = a - b sinU

where a > 0, b > 0, and a < b

These graphs will pass through the pole twice.

Let's try another:

r ! 2 cos2U
YES!

Let's test for symmetry Polar Axis: r ! 2 cos2 U

r ! 2 cos2U

T Line U = T/2: r ! 2 cos2  U ! 2 cos2T  2U

cos is periodic so can drop the 2T YES!

r ! 2 cos 2U ! 2 cos2U
Pole: Since graph is symmetric to both the polar axis and the line U = T/2 it will also be with respect to the pole.

So this graph is symmetric with respect to the pole, the polar axis and the line U = T/2. We will only need to choose U's between 0 and T/2.

U
0 T 6 T 4 T 3 T 2

r ! 2 cos2U 2 ! 2 1
1 2 ! 1 2 20 ! 0 1 2  ! 1 2 2 1 ! 2

This type of graph is called a rose with 4 petals.

Let's let each unit be 1/2. Let's plot the symmetric points

Equations of rose curves would look like one of the following:

r = a cos(nU)

r = a sin(nU)

Where n even has 2n petals and n odd has n petals (n { 0 or s 1)

Let's try another:

r ! 4 sin 2U
2

Let's test for symmetry Polar Axis: r ! 4 sin 2 U

2

FAILS

r ! 4 sin 2U
2

T Line U = T/2: r 2 ! 4 sin 2  U ! 4 sin 2T  2U

sin is periodic so can drop the 2T

r 2 ! 4 sin  2U ! 2 sin 2U
Pole:

FAILS

 r
2

! 4 sin 2U
So this graph is symmetric with respect to the pole.

r ! 4 sin 2U

U
0 T 6 T 4 T 3 T 2

r ! 4 sin 2U r
2

40 ! 0

This type of graph is called a lemniscate

3 ! 2 3 s 1.9 4 2

4 ! 4 1

s2

3 ! 2 3 s 1.9 4 2

40 ! 0

Let's let each unit be 1/4.

Equations of lemniscates would look like one of the following:

r2 = a2 cos(2U)

r2 = a2 sin(2U)

These graphs will pass through the pole and are propeller shaped.

Table 7 in your book on page 732 summarizes all of the polar graphs. You can graph these on your calculator. You'll need to change to polar mode and also you must be in radians.

If you are in polar function mode when you hit your button to enter a graph you should see r1 instead of y1. Your variable button should now put in U on TI-83's and it should be a menu choice in 85's & 86's.

Limacon With Inner Loop made with TI Calculator

Rose with 7 petals made with graphing program on computer

Have fun plotting pretty pictures!

Acknowledgement I wish to thank Shawna Haider from Salt Lake Community College, Utah USA for her hard work in creating this PowerPoint. www.slcc.edu Shawna has kindly given permission for this resource to be downloaded from www.mathxtc.com and for it to be modified to suit the Western Australian Mathematics Curriculum.

Stephen Corcoran Head of Mathematics St Stephens School Carramar www.ststephens.wa.edu.au