Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Polar Coordinates
Polar coordinates represent points in a plane using a distance from a reference point (the pole) and an angle from a reference direction. In polar equations, 'r' denotes the radius (distance from the origin), and 'θ' represents the angle. Understanding how to convert between polar and Cartesian coordinates is essential for graphing polar equations.
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Intro to Polar Coordinates
Symmetry in Polar Graphs
Symmetry in polar graphs can be tested by substituting specific values into the polar equation. A graph is symmetric about the polar axis if replacing θ with -θ yields the same equation. It is symmetric about the line θ = π/2 if replacing r with -r results in the same equation. Recognizing these symmetries helps in sketching accurate graphs.
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Graphing Polar Equations
Graphing polar equations involves plotting points based on the values of 'r' and 'θ'. For the equation r cos θ = -3, one can express it in Cartesian form or directly plot points by calculating 'r' for various angles. Understanding how to interpret the relationship between 'r' and 'θ' is crucial for accurately representing the graph.
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Introduction to Common Polar Equations