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 the equation r = 2 + cos θ, 'r' denotes the radius or distance from the origin, while 'θ' is the angle measured from the positive x-axis. 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 determined by analyzing the equation with respect to specific angles. A polar graph is symmetric about the polar axis if replacing θ with -θ yields the same equation, and it is symmetric about the line θ = π/2 if replacing θ with π - θ does so. Testing for symmetry helps in sketching the graph accurately and understanding its properties.
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Graphing Polar Equations
Graphing polar equations involves plotting points based on the values of 'r' for various angles 'θ'. The equation r = 2 + cos θ describes a limaçon shape, which can exhibit different characteristics based on the coefficients involved. To graph it effectively, one must calculate 'r' for key angles (like 0, π/2, π, and 3π/2) and then plot these points in the polar coordinate system.
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Introduction to Common Polar Equations