# Homework Help: Area in polar (stuck at the intersection points!)

1. May 30, 2010

### System

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
find the area inside both of the curves
r = 4 cos@
r = 2+2cos@
@ = theta

2. Relevant equations
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3. The attempt at a solution
i will say 4cos@ = 2+2cos@ to find the intersection points
4cos@ = 2+2cos@
2cos@ = 2
cos@ = 1
@ = 0 !!
I need the other points!!

2. May 30, 2010

### rock.freak667

Yes θ=0 is one point. Now just add π/2 to your principal answer of 0 and that will give you another answer.

3. May 30, 2010

### LCKurtz

You have to be careful with this type of problem. Eyes can be deceiving. Have you drawn a plot of the two curves? (I will use t for the angle). If so you will have noted that at t = 0 the r for both equations is 4, which is the point you have found. And the graphs both touch at the origin. The trouble is, at the origin t can be anything. And these two graphs do not have r = 0 for the same value of t. That is why you are having trouble finding the other point. What this means is you can't find the area with a single integral of the form

$$\frac 1 2 \int_{\alpha}^\beta r_{outer}^2-r_{inner}^2\, dt$$

So do the areas separately, each with their correct limits and subtract the inner area from the outer one. You might notice as t goes from 0 to $2\pi$, one of the curves is traced twice.

4. May 31, 2010

### Quantumjump

why Pi/2 and not 2Pi? I would rather have said that cos θ has two easy roots: 0 and 2Pi, and all multiples of 2Pi.

5. May 31, 2010

### rock.freak667

Sorry, I was solving cos(t)=0 not 1. You are right it would be 0 and 2π