Find Areas in Polar Coordinates

In summary, the area inside the larger loop and outside the smaller loop of the limacon is 5pi/12 + 3 - sqrt(3)/4.
  • #1
JSGhost
26
0
I can't seem to get the correct answer. I rechecked my calculations but no luck. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

Homework Statement


Find the area inside the larger loop and outside the smaller loop of the limacon below.
r = sqrt(3)/2 + cos(theta)


Homework Equations


A = (integral from a to b) (1/2)*r^2 d@

Half Angle Formula:
(cos@)^2 = (1/2)(1+cos2@)

The Attempt at a Solution


A=2[ (integral from 0 to 2pi/3) [ (1/2)*(sqrt(3)/2 + cos@)^2 ]d@ - (integral from 2pi/3 to pi) [ (1/2)*(sqrt(3)/2 + cos@)^2 ]d@

= (integral from 0 to 2pi/3) [ (3/4) + sqrt(3)cos@ + (cos@)^2 ]d@ - (integral from 2pi/3 to pi) [ (3/4) + sqrt(3)cos@ + (cos@)^2 ]d@

= (integral from 0 to 2pi/3) [ (3/4) + sqrt(3)cos@ + (1/2)(1+cos2@) ]d@ - (integral from 2pi/3 to pi) [ (3/4) + sqrt(3)cos@ + (1/2)(1+cos2@) ]d@

= [(3/4)@ + sqrt(3)*sin@ + (1/2)@ + (1/4)(sin2@) ] (integral from 0 to 2pi/3) - [(3/4)@ + sqrt(3)*sin@ + (1/2)@ + (1/4)(sin2@) ] (integral from 2pi/3 to pi)

= [ (3/4)(2pi/3) + sqrt(3)*sin(2pi/3) + (1/2)(2pi/3) + (1/4)(sin( 2*(2pi/3) ) ] - (0 + 0 + 0 + 0) - [(3/4)(pi) + sqrt(3)*sin(pi) + (1/2)(pi) + (1/4)(sin( 2*(pi) ) ] + [ (3/4)(2pi/3) + sqrt(3)*sin(2pi/3) + (1/2)(2pi/3) + (1/4)(sin( 2*(2pi/3) ) ]

= ( pi/2 + 3/2 + pi/3 - sqrt(3)/8 ) - ( 3pi/4 + pi/2 ) + ( pi/2 + 3/2 + pi/3 - sqrt(3)/8 )

= 5pi/12 + 3 - sqrt(3)/4
 
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  • #2
Check your limits of integration.
 
  • #3
Thanks. The limits of integration was supposed to be 5pi/6 instead of 2pi/3.
 

1. What are polar coordinates?

Polar coordinates are a coordinate system that uses a distance from a central point and an angle to specify the location of a point in a two-dimensional plane. The central point is known as the pole, and the angle is measured clockwise from a reference line called the polar axis.

2. How do you find the area in polar coordinates?

To find the area in polar coordinates, you can use the formula A = ½ ∫θ₁θ₂ r² dθ, where θ₁ and θ₂ are the angles that define the region, and r is the distance from the pole to the curve. This formula is derived from the basic formula for finding the area under a curve in Cartesian coordinates, A = ∫x₁x₂ y dx.

3. Can you use the formula for finding the area in polar coordinates for any shape?

Yes, the formula for finding the area in polar coordinates can be used for any shape that can be represented by a polar equation. This includes circles, ellipses, and other more complex shapes. However, if the shape has discontinuities or intersects with itself, the formula may need to be divided into multiple integrals to accurately calculate the area.

4. What is the difference between finding the area in polar coordinates and Cartesian coordinates?

The main difference between finding the area in polar coordinates and Cartesian coordinates is the way the coordinates are represented. In Cartesian coordinates, the coordinates are represented as x and y values, while in polar coordinates, the coordinates are represented as a distance from the pole and an angle. Additionally, the formula for finding the area is different in each coordinate system.

5. How can finding the area in polar coordinates be useful?

Finding the area in polar coordinates can be useful in many applications, including physics, engineering, and mathematics. It allows for a different perspective and approach to solving geometric problems, and it can also be used to find the area of irregular shapes that may be difficult to calculate using Cartesian coordinates.

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