In Exercises 13–34, test for symmetry and then graph each polar equation. r cos θ = −3
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- 0. Review of College Algebra4h 45m
- 1. Measuring Angles40m
- 2. Trigonometric Functions on Right Triangles2h 5m
- 3. Unit Circle1h 19m
- 4. Graphing Trigonometric Functions1h 19m
- 5. Inverse Trigonometric Functions and Basic Trigonometric Equations1h 41m
- 6. Trigonometric Identities and More Equations2h 34m
- 7. Non-Right Triangles1h 38m
- 8. Vectors2h 25m
- 9. Polar Equations2h 5m
- 10. Parametric Equations1h 6m
- 11. Graphing Complex Numbers1h 7m
9. Polar Equations
Polar Coordinate System
Problem 5.RE.61
Textbook Question
In Exercises 61–63, test for symmetry with respect to
a. the polar axis.
b. the line θ = π/2.
c. the pole.
r = 5 + 3 cos θ
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall the tests for symmetry in polar coordinates:
- Symmetry about the polar axis (the horizontal axis) means that if \( (r, \theta) \) is on the graph, then \( (r, -\theta) \) is also on the graph.
- Symmetry about the line \( \theta = \frac{\pi}{2} \) means that if \( (r, \theta) \) is on the graph, then \( (r, \pi - \theta) \) is also on the graph.
- Symmetry about the pole (origin) means that if \( (r, \theta) \) is on the graph, then \( (-r, \theta) \) or equivalently \( (r, \theta + \pi) \) is also on the graph.
To test symmetry about the polar axis, replace \( \theta \) with \( -\theta \) in the equation:
\[ r = 5 + 3 \cos(-\theta) \]
Use the even property of cosine, \( \cos(-\theta) = \cos \theta \), to simplify and check if the equation remains unchanged.
To test symmetry about the line \( \theta = \frac{\pi}{2} \), replace \( \theta \) with \( \pi - \theta \) in the equation:
\[ r = 5 + 3 \cos(\pi - \theta) \]
Use the identity \( \cos(\pi - \theta) = -\cos \theta \) to simplify and check if the resulting equation is equivalent to the original.
To test symmetry about the pole, replace \( r \) with \( -r \) and \( \theta \) with \( \theta + \pi \) in the equation:
\[ -r = 5 + 3 \cos(\theta + \pi) \]
Use the identity \( \cos(\theta + \pi) = -\cos \theta \) to simplify and check if this equation can be rearranged to the original form.
After performing these substitutions and simplifications, compare the resulting equations to the original equation to determine if the graph is symmetric with respect to each axis or the pole. If the equation remains unchanged or can be manipulated to the original form, the graph has that symmetry.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Symmetry with Respect to the Polar Axis
A polar graph is symmetric about the polar axis (the horizontal axis) if replacing θ with -θ in the equation yields the same equation. This means the graph looks identical above and below the polar axis, reflecting points across the horizontal line θ = 0.
Recommended video:
Intro to Polar Coordinates
Symmetry with Respect to the Line θ = π/2
Symmetry about the line θ = π/2 occurs if replacing θ with π - θ in the polar equation results in an equivalent equation. This tests whether the graph is mirrored across the vertical line through the pole at θ = 90°.
Recommended video:
Cardioids Example 1
Symmetry with Respect to the Pole
A graph is symmetric about the pole (origin) if replacing r with -r and θ with θ + π produces the same equation. This means the graph is unchanged when points are reflected through the origin, indicating central symmetry.
Recommended video:
Cardioids Example 1
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