Q Find the curve whose polar subtangent is constant

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on finding the curve whose polar subtangent is constant, specifically leading to the solution of the reciprocal spiral, expressed as r(θ - α) = c. The user initially attempted to derive the solution using the equation rsin(θ) d(rcos(θ))/dθ = -k d(rsin(θ))/dθ but made a mistake by solving for rcos(θ) instead of r. Correcting this approach is essential to arrive at the accurate solution.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of polar coordinates and their properties
  • Familiarity with differentiation and the product rule
  • Knowledge of the concept of polar subtangent
  • Basic grasp of logarithmic functions in calculus
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the reciprocal spiral in polar coordinates
  • Learn about polar subtangents and their significance in curve analysis
  • Explore advanced differentiation techniques, including the product and chain rules
  • Investigate applications of polar curves in physics and engineering
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, physics students, and anyone interested in advanced calculus and polar coordinate systems will benefit from this discussion.

himanshu121
Messages
649
Reaction score
1
I have done this thing::
[tex]\frac{rsin(\theta)}{k}= - \frac{r+tan(\theta) \frac{dr}{d\theta}}{-rtan\theta + \frac{dr}{d\theta}}[/tex]

Rearranging and solving i got

[tex]rsin \theta \frac{d(rcos\theta)}{d\theta}=-k\frac{d(rsin\theta)}{d\theta}[/tex]

on further solving i got
[tex]rcos\theta= -kln(rsin\theta) +c[/tex]

But the answer at the back is ::
:: The Reciprocal Spiral ::
:: r(\theta - \alpha) = c::

Where I went wrong ::Pls Help
 
Physics news on Phys.org


It seems like you have made a small mistake in your calculations. The correct solution for the curve with constant polar subtangent is indeed the reciprocal spiral, which can be written as r(\theta - \alpha) = c.

To get to this solution, you need to start with the equation you have rearranged and solved:

rsin\theta \frac{d(rcos\theta)}{d\theta}=-k\frac{d(rsin\theta)}{d\theta}

But instead of solving for rcos\theta, you need to solve for r, as the equation for the reciprocal spiral is in terms of r, not rcos\theta.

So, let's start with your equation and solve for r:

rsin\theta \frac{d(rcos\theta)}{d\theta}=-k\frac{d(rsin\theta)}{d\theta}

Dividing both sides by rsin\theta, we get:

\frac{d(rcos\theta)}{d\theta}=-k\frac{d(rsin\theta)}{d\theta} \cdot \frac{1}{rsin\theta}

Using the product rule for differentiation, we can rewrite the left side as:

\frac{d(rcos\theta)}{d\theta}=cos\theta \cdot \frac{dr}{d\theta} - r\sin\theta

And the right side can be rewritten as:

-k\frac{d(rsin\theta)}{d\theta} \cdot \frac{1}{rsin\theta} = -k \cdot \frac{d(sin\theta)}{d\theta} \cdot \frac{1}{sin\theta} - k \cdot \frac{d(r)}{d\theta} \cdot \frac{1}{r}

Combining these, we get:

cos\theta \cdot \frac{dr}{d\theta} - r\sin\theta = -k \cdot \frac{d(sin\theta)}{d\theta} \cdot \frac{1}{sin\theta} - k \cdot \frac{d(r)}{d\theta} \cdot \frac{1}{r}

Next, we can rearrange this equation to solve for dr/d\theta:

cos\theta \cdot \frac{dr}{d\theta} + k \cdot
 

Similar threads

Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
4K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
6K
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
5K