Changing polar equations to rectangular equations?

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on converting polar equations to rectangular equations, specifically addressing the equations r = sin(θ), r = 6cos(θ) + sin(θ), and r²sin(2θ) = 2. The conversion process utilizes the relationships x = r cos(θ) and y = r sin(θ). For the first equation, the conversion results in x² + y² = y, representing a circle. The second equation simplifies to x² + y² = 6x + y, also representing a circle. The third equation involves the identity sin(2θ) = 2sin(θ)cos(θ) for further simplification.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of polar coordinates and equations
  • Familiarity with rectangular coordinate systems
  • Knowledge of trigonometric identities, specifically sin(2θ)
  • Ability to manipulate algebraic equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the conversion techniques between polar and rectangular coordinates
  • Learn about the geometric interpretations of polar equations
  • Explore trigonometric identities and their applications in polar equations
  • Practice converting various polar equations to rectangular form
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Students studying mathematics, particularly those focusing on calculus or analytical geometry, as well as educators teaching polar coordinate systems and their conversions.

steener
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changing polar equations to rectangular equations?

Can somebody please explain to me, how I would convert:

?=?/2 into a rectangular equation?

Along with: r=sin?, r=6cos+sin?, r(squared)sin2?=2


Your help would be greatly appreciated!
 
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steener said:
Can somebody please explain to me, how I would convert:

?=?/2 into a rectangular equation?

Along with: r=sin?, r=6cos+sin?, r(squared)sin2?=2


Your help would be greatly appreciated!

Unfortunately your "special characters" just show up as "?" to me. I would guess that the ? in the last three are "theta": [itex]\theta[/itex] in LaTex, but I have no idea what the "?" in ?= ?/2 are- I presume they are different or the equation is trivial.

I presume that you know (or else you wouldn't be attempting these problems) that [itex]x= r cos(\theta)[/itex] and [itex]y= r sin(\theta)[/itex]. Looking at the first one, my thought would be to multiply both sides by r: [itex]r^2= r sin(\theta)[/itex] which, since [itex]r^2= r^2(cos^2(\theta)+ sin^2(\theta)= x^2+ y^2[/itex], is just [itex]x^2+ y^2= y[/itex], the equation of a circle.

For [itex]r= 6cos(\theta)+ sin(theta)[/itex], same thing: multiply both sides by r to get [itex]r^2= 6r cos(\theta)+ r sin(\theta)= x^2+ y^2= 6x+ y[/itex], again the equation of a circle.

For [itex]r^2 sin(2\theta)= 2[/itex], use the fact that [itex]sin(2\theta)= 2sin(\theta)cos(\theta)[/itex].
 

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