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APPC 3.14 Notes

The document discusses polar functions and their graphs, explaining the relationship between the independent variable q and the dependent variable r. It provides examples of how to graph polar functions, evaluate them for multiple-choice questions on the AP Precalculus Exam, and utilize symmetry for easier graph construction. Additionally, it includes various example questions to illustrate the concepts and strategies for answering questions related to polar functions.

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Rana Mukherjee
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108 views4 pages

APPC 3.14 Notes

The document discusses polar functions and their graphs, explaining the relationship between the independent variable q and the dependent variable r. It provides examples of how to graph polar functions, evaluate them for multiple-choice questions on the AP Precalculus Exam, and utilize symmetry for easier graph construction. Additionally, it includes various example questions to illustrate the concepts and strategies for answering questions related to polar functions.

Uploaded by

Rana Mukherjee
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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Notes: (Topic 3.

14) Polar Function Graphs

Now that we have learned and explored how polar coordinates work, it is only natural that we would begin to explore the
concept of polar functions and their graphs.

For polar functions, the inputs are given by q (independent variable), and the outputs are given by r (dependent
variable). On the AP Precalculus Exam, questions may use the phrasing below to introduce a polar function.

“The graph of the polar function r = f (q ) , where f (q ) = 3 - 3sin (q ) , is shown in the polar coordinate system for
0 £ q £ 2p . ”

Graphing Polar Functions

Creating a table of values is always a good strategy when attempting to graph a new or unknown function. We will utilize
this strategy to help us create a graph of a polar function.

Example 1: Let r = f (q ) , where f (q ) = 3 - 3sin (q ) , be a polar function in the polar coordinate system for
0 £ q £ 2p . Sketch the graph of r = f (q ) on the axes below.

Note: It is very common for polar functions to display symmetry. We can use our understanding of symmetries to help
us construct polar graphs quickly and easily.

Notes: Topic 3.14 Polar Function Graphs Created by Bryan Passwater


On the AP Precalculus Exam, polar functions will only appear in multiple choice questions. This means that students will
NOT be required to sketch a polar function by hand on the AP Exam. However, students will be expected to understand
polar functions, their graphs, and what portion of the graphs exist with various domain restrictions.

When working with multiple choice questions involving polar functions, it is advantageous to evaluate the function at
several values of q . Utilizing the multiple-choice options can be helpful when determining which values of q to
consider.

Example 2: The figure shows the graph of the polar function r = f (q ) , for 0 £ q £ 2p , in the polar coordinate system.
Which of the following could be an expression for f (q ) ?
(A) 3sin ( 3q ) (B) -3sin ( 3q ) (C) 3cos ( 3q ) (D) -3cos ( 3q )

Example 3: The figure shows the graph of the polar function r = f (q ) , for 0 £ q £ 2p , in the polar coordinate system.
Which of the following could be an expression for f (q ) ?
(A) 2 + 4sin (q ) (B) 2 - 4sin (q ) (C) 2 + 4cos (q ) (D) 2 - 4cos (q )

Notes: Topic 3.14 Polar Function Graphs Created by Bryan Passwater


Example 4: A portion of the graph of the polar function r = f (q ) , where f (q ) = -3sin q , is shown in the polar
coordinate system for a £ q £ b. If 0 £ a < b < 2p , which of the following could be the values for a and b ?
p p
(A) a = 0 and b = (B) a = and b = p (C) a = 0 and b = p (D) a = p and b = 2p
2 2

Example 5: A portion of the grpah of the polar function r = f (q ) , where f (q ) = 3cos ( 3q ) , is shown in the polar
coordinate system for a £ q £ b. If 0 £ a < b < 2p , which of the following could be the values for a and b ?
3p p p p
(A) a = p and b = (B) a = 0 and b = (C) a = 0 and b = (D) a = 0 and b =
2 2 3 6

Notes: Topic 3.14 Polar Function Graphs Created by Bryan Passwater


Example 6: The figure shows the graph of the polar function 𝑟 = 𝑓(𝜃) where 𝑓(𝜃) = 6 cos(3𝜃), in the polar coordinate
p 2p
system for 0 £ q £ 2p . There are four points labeled A, B, C , and D. If the domain of f is restricted to £q £ ,
3 3
the portion of the given graph that remains consists of two pieces. One of those pieces is the portion of the graph in
Quadrant III from C to D. Which of the following describes the other remaining piece?
(A) The portion of the graph in Quadrant I from D to B
(B) The portion of the graph in Quadrant I from B to D
(C) The portion of the graph in Quadrant II from D to A
(D) The portion of the graph in Quadrant III from D to C

Notes: Topic 3.14 Polar Function Graphs Created by Bryan Passwater

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