Another polar / rectangular simplification

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Homework Statement



Convert into rectangular coordinates:

[tex] r = \frac {1}{1-cos(theta)}[/tex]



Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



[tex] r = \frac {1}{1-cos(theta)}[/tex]


[tex] r –r(cos) = 1[/tex]
(why can't I get a minus sign to display correctly? - I'm trying to show r - r*cos = 1)

I used
[tex] r = \sqrt {x^2+y^2}[/tex]
and

[tex] cos = \frac {x}{r}<br /> <br /> x = (r)(cos)[/tex]

resulting combinations gives:
[tex] \sqrt {x^2+y^2} – x = 1[/tex]
(I think) - and again - I'm having a problem (maybe just on my end) displaying a minus sign. I'm seeing "8211" on the screen for the minus sign.

I'm trying to display sqrt(x^2+y^2) - x = 1.

The book gets

[tex] y^2} = 1 + 2x[/tex]

I‘ve tried some various algebra stuff but am not getting close to the book’s answer.

Thanks
-Sparky
 
Last edited:
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Never mind, I got it - I don't know how to delete the post (if I'm allowed)

I moved x over and squared both sides.

[tex] \sqrt {x^2+y^2} = 1 + x[/tex]

[tex] {\sqrt {x^2+y^2}}^2 = (1 + x)^2[/tex]

[tex] {x^2+y^2} = 1 + 2x + x^2[/tex]

[tex] y^2} = 1 + 2x[/tex]