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Polar Curves

This document discusses different types of polar curves: 1. Circles, which can be defined by equations like r = a, r = a sin(θ), or r = a cos(θ). 2. Roses, produced by equations like r = a cos(kθ) or r = a sin(kθ), where k is an integer. An even k produces a rose with 2k petals, and odd k produces a rose with k petals. 3. Limaçons, or "snails", defined by equations like r = b + a cos(θ) or r = b + a sin(θ). A special type called a cardioid is produced

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Zyan Monterde
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87 views3 pages

Polar Curves

This document discusses different types of polar curves: 1. Circles, which can be defined by equations like r = a, r = a sin(θ), or r = a cos(θ). 2. Roses, produced by equations like r = a cos(kθ) or r = a sin(kθ), where k is an integer. An even k produces a rose with 2k petals, and odd k produces a rose with k petals. 3. Limaçons, or "snails", defined by equations like r = b + a cos(θ) or r = b + a sin(θ). A special type called a cardioid is produced

Uploaded by

Zyan Monterde
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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1

Some types of polar curves

These are some types of polar curves that you should know how to graph for the final.

Circles

Let a be a real number, a 6= 0.

• r = a: Circle centered at the origin of radius |a|


1
r = −2 r= 2
y y

x x

• r = a sin(θ): Circle centered at (0, a2 ) of radius a2


• r = a cos(θ): Circle centered at ( a2 , 0) of radius a2


r = −3 cos (θ) r = 2 sin (θ)


y y

Roses

Let a be a nonzero real number and k be an integer > 1. Curves given by the polar equation
r = a cos(kθ) or r = a sin(kθ) produce roses in the xy-plane. The number a determines the
length of the petals.

• k even: rose has 2k petals


2

r = 2 cos (2θ) r = sin (4θ)


y y

x x

• k odd: rose has k petals


r = cos (3θ) r = 3 sin (7θ)
y y

x x

Limaçons

Let a, b be nonzero real numbers. Curves given by the polar equation r = b + a cos(θ) or
r = b + a sin(θ) produce limaçons (“snails”) in the xy-plane.

• If a = ±b, then we get a special type of limaçon called a cardioid, so named because it
resembles a heart.
r = 1 − sin (θ) r = −2 + 2 cos (θ)
y y

x
x

• If |b| < |a|, then the limaçon has a loop.


3

r = 2 − 3 cos (θ)
y r = −1 + 2 sin (θ)
y

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