Learning Objectives
In this section you will:
- Test polar equations for symmetry.
- Graph polar equations by plotting points.
The planets move through space in elliptical, periodic orbits about the sun, as shown in Figure 1. They are in constant motion, so fixing an exact position of any planet is valid only for a moment. In other words, we can fix only a planet’s instantaneous position. This is one application of polar coordinates, represented as We interpret as the distance from the sun and as the planet’s angular bearing, or its direction from a fixed point on the sun. In this section, we will focus on the polar system and the graphs that are generated directly from polar coordinates.
Testing Polar Equations for Symmetry
Just as a rectangular equation such as describes the relationship between and on a Cartesian grid, a polar equation describes a relationship between and on a polar grid. Recall that the coordinate pair indicates that we move counterclockwise from the polar axis (positive x-axis) by an angle of and extend a ray from the pole (origin) units in the direction of All points that satisfy the polar equation are on the graph.
Symmetry is a property that helps us recognize and plot the graph of any equation. If an equation has a graph that is symmetric with respect to an axis, it means that if we folded the graph in half over that axis, the portion of the graph on one side would coincide with the portion on the other side. By performing three tests, we will see how to apply the properties of symmetry to polar equations. Further, we will use symmetry (in addition to plotting key points, zeros, and maximums of to determine the graph of a polar equation.
In the first test, we consider symmetry with respect to the line (y-axis). We replace with to determine if the new equation is equivalent to the original equation. For example, suppose we are given the equation
This equation exhibits symmetry with respect to the line
In the second test, we consider symmetry with respect to the polar axis ( -axis). We replace with or to determine equivalency between the tested equation and the original. For example, suppose we are given the equation
The graph of this equation exhibits symmetry with respect to the polar axis.
In the third test, we consider symmetry with respect to the pole (origin). We replace with to determine if the tested equation is equivalent to the original equation. For example, suppose we are given the equation
The equation has failed the symmetry test, but that does not mean that it is not symmetric with respect to the pole. Passing one or more of the symmetry tests verifies that symmetry will be exhibited in a graph. However, failing the symmetry tests does not necessarily indicate that a graph will not be symmetric about the line the polar axis, or the pole. In these instances, we can confirm that symmetry exists by plotting reflecting points across the apparent axis of symmetry or the pole. Testing for symmetry is a technique that simplifies the graphing of polar equations, but its application is not perfect.
Symmetry Tests
A polar equation describes a curve on the polar grid. The graph of a polar equation can be evaluated for three types of symmetry, as shown in Figure 2.
How To
Given a polar equation, test for symmetry.
- Substitute the appropriate combination of components for for symmetry; for polar axis symmetry; and for symmetry with respect to the pole.
- If the resulting equations are equivalent in one or more of the tests, the graph produces the expected symmetry.
Example 1
Testing a Polar Equation for Symmetry
Test the equation for symmetry.
Analysis
Using a graphing calculator, we can see that the equation is a circle centered at with radius and is indeed symmetric to the line We can also see that the graph is not symmetric with the polar axis or the pole. See Figure 3.
Test the equation for symmetry:
Graphing Polar Equations by Plotting Points
To graph in the rectangular coordinate system we construct a table of and values. To graph in the polar coordinate system we construct a table of and values. We enter values of into a polar equation and calculate However, using the properties of symmetry and finding key values of and means fewer calculations will be needed.
Finding Zeros and Maxima
To find the zeros of a polar equation, we solve for the values of that result in Recall that, to find the zeros of polynomial functions, we set the equation equal to zero and then solve for We use the same process for polar equations. Set and solve for
For many of the forms we will encounter, the maximum value of a polar equation is found by substituting those values of into the equation that result in the maximum value of the trigonometric functions. Consider the maximum distance between the curve and the pole is 5 units. The maximum value of the cosine function is 1 when so our polar equation is and the value will yield the maximum
Similarly, the maximum value of the sine function is 1 when and if our polar equation is the value will yield the maximum We may find additional information by calculating values of when These points would be polar axis intercepts, which may be helpful in drawing the graph and identifying the curve of a polar equation.
Example 2
Finding Zeros and Maximum Values for a Polar Equation
Using the equation in Example 1, find the zeros and maximum and, if necessary, the polar axis intercepts of
Try It #2
Without converting to Cartesian coordinates, test the given equation for symmetry and find the zeros and maximum values of
Investigating Circles
Now we have seen the equation of a circle in the polar coordinate system. In the last two examples, the same equation was used to illustrate the properties of symmetry and demonstrate how to find the zeros, maximum values, and plotted points that produced the graphs. However, the circle is only one of many shapes in the set of polar curves.
There are five classic polar curves: cardioids, limaҫons, lemniscates, rose curves, and Archimedes’ spirals. We will briefly touch on the polar formulas for the circle before moving on to the classic curves and their variations.
Formulas for the Equation of a Circle
Some of the formulas that produce the graph of a circle in polar coordinates are given by and where is the diameter of the circle or the distance from the pole to the farthest point on the circumference. The radius is or one-half the diameter. For the center is For the center is Figure 5 shows the graphs of these four circles.
Example 3
Sketching the Graph of a Polar Equation for a Circle
Sketch the graph of
Investigating Cardioids
While translating from polar coordinates to Cartesian coordinates may seem simpler in some instances, graphing the classic curves is actually less complicated in the polar system. The next curve is called a cardioid, as it resembles a heart. This shape is often included with the family of curves called limaçons, but here we will discuss the cardioid on its own.
Formulas for a Cardioid
The formulas that produce the graphs of a cardioid are given by and where and The cardioid graph passes through the pole, as we can see in Figure 7.
How To
Given the polar equation of a cardioid, sketch its graph.
- Check equation for the three types of symmetry.
- Find the zeros. Set
- Find the maximum value of the equation according to the maximum value of the trigonometric expression.
- Make a table of values for and
- Plot the points and sketch the graph.
Example 4
Sketching the Graph of a Cardioid
Sketch the graph of
Investigating Limaçons
The word limaçon is Old French for “snail,” a name that describes the shape of the graph. As mentioned earlier, the cardioid is a member of the limaçon family, and we can see the similarities in the graphs. The other images in this category include the one-loop limaçon and the two-loop (or inner-loop) limaçon. One-loop limaçons are sometimes referred to as dimpled limaçons when and convex limaçons when
Formulas for One-Loop Limaçons
The formulas that produce the graph of a dimpled one-loop limaçon are given by and where All four graphs are shown in Figure 9.
How To
Given a polar equation for a one-loop limaçon, sketch the graph.
- Test the equation for symmetry. Remember that failing a symmetry test does not mean that the shape will not exhibit symmetry. Often the symmetry may reveal itself when the points are plotted.
- Find the zeros.
- Find the maximum values according to the trigonometric expression.
- Make a table.
- Plot the points and sketch the graph.
Example 5
Sketching the Graph of a One-Loop Limaçon
Graph the equation
Analysis
This is an example of a curve for which making a table of values is critical to producing an accurate graph. The symmetry tests fail; the zero is undefined. While it may be apparent that an equation involving is likely symmetric with respect to the line evaluating more points helps to verify that the graph is correct.
Try It #3
Sketch the graph of
Another type of limaçon, the inner-loop limaçon, is named for the loop formed inside the general limaçon shape. It was discovered by the German artist Albrecht Dürer(1471-1528), who revealed a method for drawing the inner-loop limaçon in his 1525 book Underweysung der Messing. A century later, the father of mathematician Blaise Pascal, Étienne Pascal(1588-1651), rediscovered it.
Formulas for Inner-Loop Limaçons
The formulas that generate the inner-loop limaçons are given by and where and The graph of the inner-loop limaçon passes through the pole twice: once for the outer loop, and once for the inner loop. See Figure 11 for the graphs.
Example 6
Sketching the Graph of an Inner-Loop Limaçon
Sketch the graph of
Investigating Lemniscates
The lemniscate is a polar curve resembling the infinity symbol or a figure 8. Centered at the pole, a lemniscate is symmetrical by definition.
Formulas for Lemniscates
The formulas that generate the graph of a lemniscate are given by and where The formula is symmetric with respect to the pole. The formula is symmetric with respect to the pole, the line and the polar axis. See Figure 13 for the graphs.
Example 7
Sketching the Graph of a Lemniscate
Sketch the graph of
Analysis
Making a substitution such as is a common practice in mathematics because it can make calculations simpler. However, we must not forget to replace the substitution term with the original term at the end, and then solve for the unknown.
Some of the points on this graph may not show up using the Trace function on the TI-84 graphing calculator, and the calculator table may show an error for these same points of This is because there are no real square roots for these values of In other words, the corresponding r-values of are complex numbers because there is a negative number under the radical.
Investigating Rose Curves
The next type of polar equation produces a petal-like shape called a rose curve. Although the graphs look complex, a simple polar equation generates the pattern.
Rose Curves
The formulas that generate the graph of a rose curve are given by and where If is even, the curve has petals. If is odd, the curve has petals. See Figure 15.
Example 8
Sketching the Graph of a Rose Curve (n Even)
Sketch the graph of
Analysis
When these curves are drawn, it is best to plot the points in order, as in the Table 8. This allows us to see how the graph hits a maximum (the tip of a petal), loops back crossing the pole, hits the opposite maximum, and loops back to the pole. The action is continuous until all the petals are drawn.
Try It #4
Sketch the graph of
Example 9
Sketching the Graph of a Rose Curve (n Odd)
Sketch the graph of
Try It #5
Sketch the graph of
Investigating the Archimedes’ Spiral
The final polar equation we will discuss is the Archimedes’ spiral, named for its discoverer, the Greek mathematician Archimedes (c. 287 BCE-c. 212 BCE), who is credited with numerous discoveries in the fields of geometry and mechanics.
Archimedes’ Spiral
The formula that generates the graph of the Archimedes’ spiral is given by for As increases, increases at a constant rate in an ever-widening, never-ending, spiraling path. See Figure 18.
How To
Given an Archimedes’ spiral over sketch the graph.
- Make a table of values for and over the given domain.
- Plot the points and sketch the graph.
Example 10
Sketching the Graph of an Archimedes’ Spiral
Sketch the graph of over
Analysis
The domain of this polar curve is In general, however, the domain of this function is Graphing the equation of the Archimedes’ spiral is rather simple, although the image makes it seem like it would be complex.
Try It #6
Sketch the graph of over the interval
Summary of Curves
We have explored a number of seemingly complex polar curves in this section. Figure 20 and Figure 21 summarize the graphs and equations for each of these curves.
Media
Access these online resources for additional instruction and practice with graphs of polar coordinates.
10.4 Section Exercises
Verbal
Describe the three types of symmetry in polar graphs, and compare them to the symmetry of the Cartesian plane.
Which of the three types of symmetries for polar graphs correspond to the symmetries with respect to the x-axis, y-axis, and origin?
Describe the shapes of the graphs of cardioids, limaçons, and lemniscates.
Graphical
For the following exercises, test the equation for symmetry.
For the following exercises, graph the polar equation. Identify the name of the shape.
Technology
For the following exercises, use a graphing calculator to sketch the graph of the polar equation.
a cissoid
For the following exercises, use a graphing utility to graph each pair of polar equations on a domain of and then explain the differences shown in the graphs.
On a graphing utility, graph on , , , , , , and , Describe the effect of increasing the width of the domain.
On a graphing utility, graph and sketch on
On a graphing utility, graph each polar equation. Explain the similarities and differences you observe in the graphs.
On a graphing utility, graph each polar equation. Explain the similarities and differences you observe in the graphs.
On a graphing utility, graph each polar equation. Explain the similarities and differences you observe in the graphs.
Extensions
For the following exercises, draw each polar equation on the same set of polar axes, and find the points of intersection.
,