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Notes Key Topic 3.14 Polar Function Graphs 1

The document discusses polar functions and their graphs, focusing on the relationship between the independent variable q and the dependent variable r. It provides examples of how to graph polar functions and solve multiple-choice questions related to them, emphasizing the importance of symmetry and evaluating functions at various values of q. Additionally, it notes that polar functions will only appear in multiple-choice format on the AP Precalculus Exam, and students are not required to sketch them by hand.

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Rana Mukherjee
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442 views4 pages

Notes Key Topic 3.14 Polar Function Graphs 1

The document discusses polar functions and their graphs, focusing on the relationship between the independent variable q and the dependent variable r. It provides examples of how to graph polar functions and solve multiple-choice questions related to them, emphasizing the importance of symmetry and evaluating functions at various values of q. Additionally, it notes that polar functions will only appear in multiple-choice format on the AP Precalculus Exam, and students are not required to sketch them by hand.

Uploaded by

Rana Mukherjee
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Notes: (Topic 3.

14) Polar Function Graphs Solutions

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.

3 4.5

1.5
5.1213

0.8787 5.5981

0.4019
6

0 5.5981

0.4019 5.1213

0.8787 4.5

1.5 3

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


Solutions by Ted Gott [email protected]
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 )
!
𝑓(0) = 0 from the graph which eliminates (C) and (D). 𝑓 D E = 3 which eliminates (B).
"

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 )
𝜋
𝑓(0) = 2 from the graph which eliminates (C) and (D) maybe. 𝑓 D E = −2 which eliminates (A).
2
Notes: Topic 3.14 Polar Function Graphs Created by Bryan Passwater
Solutions by Ted Gott [email protected]
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
𝜋
The graph of 𝑓(𝜃) above (sketched by hand)on the interval P0, R is negative (𝑟 < 0, reflection through origin)
2
𝜋 𝜋
and decreasing. On the interval P , 𝜋R , 𝑓 D E = −3 and increasing, becoming less negative.
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
𝜋
One period of 𝑓(𝜃) is sketched above above. On P0, R , 𝑓(𝜃) is positive and decreasing. This the only interval
6
where this is true.

Notes: Topic 3.14 Polar Function Graphs Created by Bryan Passwater


Solutions by Ted Gott [email protected]
Example 6: The figure shows the graph of the polar function r = f (q ) , where f (q ) = 3cos ( 3q ) , in the polar
coordinate system for 0 £ q £ 2p . There are four points labeled A, B, C , and D. If the domain of f is restricted to
p 2p
£q £ , the portion of the given graph that remains consists of two pieces. One of those pieces is the portion of the
3 3
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
𝜋 𝜋
The portion of the graph from 𝐶 to 𝐷 is the part of the graph on the interval P , R since the polar curve
3 2
𝜋 𝜋 2𝜋
is returning to the origin, 𝑓 D E = 0. The remaining portion is the part on the interval Y , Z . This part
2 2 3
of the graph starts at 𝐷 and 𝑓(𝜃), the value of 𝑟 is positive and increasing, ending at 𝐴.

Notes: Topic 3.14 Polar Function Graphs Created by Bryan Passwater


Solutions by Ted Gott [email protected]

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