AP Precalc 3.14B Polar Function Graphs 3.

14B Notes
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Limaçon
𝒓 = 𝒂 ± 𝒃𝐜𝐨𝐬 (𝜽)

EXAMPLE: 𝑟 = 3 + 3cos (𝜃) 𝒂 = 𝒃 CARDIOID

rectangular polar

𝑟 = 𝑎 + 𝑏cos (𝜃) 𝑟 = 𝑎 − 𝑏cos (𝜃) 𝑟 = 𝑎 + 𝑏sin (𝜃) 𝑟 = 𝑎 − 𝑏sin (𝜃 )

EXAMPLE: 𝑟 = 5 + 3cos (𝜃) 𝒂>𝒃 DIMPLED CARDIOID

rectangular polar

Use the graph of the polar function 𝒓 = 𝒇(𝜽) for 𝟎 ≤ 𝜽 ≤ 𝟐𝝅 to answer the following.
1. Write the equation of the polar function.
A B C D
𝑟 = 4 + 2 cos 𝜃 𝑟 = 4 − 2 cos 𝜃 𝑟 = 4 + 2 sin 𝜃 𝑟 = 4 − 2 sin 𝜃
𝜋
2. If the domain of 𝑓 is restricted to ≤ 𝜃 ≤ 𝜋,
2

a. Is the function positive or negative?

b. Is the function increasing or decreasing?

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Write your questions
and thoughts here!
EXAMPLE: 𝑟 = 1 + 3cos (𝜃) 𝒂 < 𝒃 Inner Loop Limaçon

Use the graph of the polar function 𝒓 = 𝒇(𝜽) for 𝟎 ≤ 𝜽 ≤ 𝟐𝝅 to answer the following.
1. Which is the equation of the polar function?
A B C D
𝑟 = 2 + 5 cos 𝜃 𝑟 = 2 − 5 cos 𝜃 𝑟 = 2 + 5 sin 𝜃 𝑟 = 2 − 5 sin 𝜃
𝜋
2. If the domain of 𝑓 is restricted to ≤ 𝜃 ≤ 𝜋,
2

a. Is the function positive or negative?

b. Is the function increasing or decreasing?

𝒂 = 𝒃 cardioid
Limaçon
𝒂
𝒂 > 𝒃, 𝟏 < 𝒃 < 𝟐 dimpled cardioid
𝒓 = 𝒂 ± 𝒃𝐜𝐨𝐬 (𝜽) (one loop limaçon)
𝒂 > 𝟎 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝒃 > 𝟎
𝒂 < 𝒃 inner loop limaçon

𝒓 = 𝟓 + 𝟕 𝐬𝐢𝐧(𝜽) 𝒓 = 𝟖 − 𝟔 𝐜𝐨𝐬(𝜽) 𝒓 = 𝟔 + 𝟔 𝐬𝐢𝐧(𝜽)

Archimedes’ Spiral
EAMPLE: 𝑟 = 𝜃 where 𝜃 ≥ 0

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3.14B Polar Function Graphs
AP Precalculus
3.14B Practice
Match the equation to its graph below.
1. 𝑟 = 2 + 6 cos(𝜃) 2. 𝑟 = 2 − 6 sin(𝜃) 3. 𝑟 = 3 + 3 cos(𝜃)
matches graph: ______ matches graph: ______ matches graph: ______

4. 𝑟 = 3 − 3 cos(𝜃) 5. 𝑟 = 2 − 4 cos(𝜃) 6. 𝑟 = 4 + 2 sin(𝜃)

matches graph: ______ matches graph: ______ matches graph: ______

7. 𝑟 = 4 − 2 cos(𝜃) 8. 𝑟 = 𝜃 9. 𝑟 = −6 cos(𝜃)
matches graph: ______ matches graph: ______ matches graph: ______

10. 𝑟 = 6 − 2sin(𝜃) 11. 𝑟 = 4 12. 𝑟 = 6sin(𝜃)

matches graph: ______ matches graph: ______ matches graph: ______

GRAPHS:
A B C D

E F G H

I J K L

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 Circle the correct equation for the following polar graphs.
13. 14. 15.

𝑟 = 4 + 2 cos(𝜃) 𝑟 = 4 + 2 sin(𝜃) 𝑟 = 3 + 2 cos(𝜃) 𝑟 = 3 + 2 sin(𝜃) 𝑟 = 3 + 3 cos(𝜃) 𝑟 = 3 + 3 sin(𝜃)

𝑟 = 2 − 4 cos(𝜃) 𝑟 = 2 − 4 sin(𝜃) 𝑟 = 2 − 3 cos(𝜃) 𝑟 = 2 − 3 sin(𝜃) 𝑟 = 3 − 3 cos(𝜃) 𝑟 = 3 − 3 sin(𝜃)

𝑟 = 4 − 2 cos(𝜃) 𝑟 = 4 − 2 sin(𝜃) 𝑟 = 3 − 2 cos(𝜃) 𝑟 = 3 − 2 sin(𝜃) 𝑟 = 6 − 6 cos(𝜃) 𝑟 = 6 − 6 sin(𝜃)

Use the graphs of the polar function 𝒓 = 𝒇(𝜽) and 𝒚 = 𝒇(𝜽) for 𝟎 ≤ 𝜽 ≤ 𝟐𝝅 to answer the following.
16. 17. 𝑟
𝑟

𝜃
𝜃

3𝜋 3𝜋
If the domain of 𝑓 is restricted to ≤ 𝜃 ≤ 2𝜋 , If the domain of 𝑓 is restricted to 𝜋 ≤ 𝜃 ≤ ,
2 2

a. Is the function positive or negative? a. Is the function positive or negative?

b. Is the function increasing or decreasing? b. Is the function increasing or decreasing?

18. 19. 𝑟
𝑟

𝜃
𝜃

𝜋 𝜋 𝜋
If the domain of 𝑓 is restricted to ≤𝜃≤ , If the domain of 𝑓 is restricted to 0 ≤ 𝜃 ≤ ,
4 2 2

a. Is the function positive or negative? a. Is the function positive or negative?

b. Is the function increasing or decreasing? b. Is the function increasing or decreasing?

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3.14B Polar Function Graphs 3.14B Test Prep

20. Which of the following is the graph of the polar function 𝑟 = 𝑓(𝜃), where 𝑓(𝜃 ) = 4 − 4 cos 𝜃, in the polar
coordinate system for 0 ≤ 𝜃 ≤ 2𝜋 ?

(A) (B) (C) (D)

𝜋
21. The polar function 𝑟 = 𝑓(𝜃), where 𝑓 (𝜃 ) = 3 𝜃, is defined for 𝜃 > 0. Which of the following describes
the graph of 𝑟 = 𝑓(𝜃) in the polar coordinate system?

𝜋
(A) The graph of 𝑟 = 𝑓(𝜃) is line along the angle 3
𝜋
(B) The graph of 𝑟 = 𝑓(𝜃) is a circle with radius of 3

(C) The graph of 𝑟 = 𝑓(𝜃) is a spiral with increasing radius

(D) The graph of 𝑟 = 𝑓(𝜃) is a spiral with decreasing radius

22. The graph of the polar function 𝑟 = 𝑓(𝜃), is given the polar coordinate system. Which of the
following defines 𝑓(𝜃 ) for 0 ≤ 𝜃 ≤ 2𝜋 ?

(A) 𝑓 (𝜃 ) = 3 − 5 sin(𝜃)

(B) 𝑓 (𝜃 ) = 4 − 4 sin(𝜃)

(C) 𝑓 (𝜃 ) = 2 − 2 sin(𝜃)

(D) 𝑓 (𝜃 ) = 2 − 6 sin(𝜃)

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