Curve C is given in Polar Coordinates by the equation r=2+3sin(theta)

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves analyzing the polar curve defined by the equation r=2+3sin(θ) and finding points where the tangent lines are horizontal or vertical. The context includes converting polar coordinates to Cartesian coordinates and sketching the curve in the Cartesian plane.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the conversion of the polar equation to Cartesian coordinates, with some expressing confusion about the addition of 2 in the equation. There are attempts to derive the center of the curve and questions about the derivatives needed for finding tangent lines. Others suggest plotting points directly from the polar equation instead of converting it.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different approaches to the problem. Some guidance has been offered regarding the use of derivatives and the product rule, but there is no explicit consensus on how to proceed with the conversion or the implications of the terms in the equation.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the challenge of having a term with r remaining in the equation and express uncertainty about how to isolate r or proceed with the analysis. There is also mention of homework constraints that may affect the approach taken.

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Homework Statement



Curve C is given in Polar Coordinates by the equation r=2+3sinθ.
Consider the usual Cartesian plane and take O as the pole and the positive x-axis as the polar axis.

Find points on the curve C where the tangent lines are horizontal or vertical and sketch the curve C.

Homework Equations



[itex]x^{2}[/itex]+[itex]y^{2}[/itex]=[itex]r^{2}[/itex]
x=rcosθ
y=rsinθ
tanθ=[itex]\frac{y}{x}[/itex]


The Attempt at a Solution



PART 1
For some reason I feel like the addition of 2 is throwing me off

r=2+3[itex]\frac{y}{r}[/itex]
[itex]r^{2}[/itex]=2+3y
[itex]x^{2}[/itex]+[itex]y^{2}[/itex]=2+3y
[itex]x^{2}[/itex]+[itex]y^{2}[/itex]-3y=2
[itex]x^{2}[/itex]+[itex]y^{2}[/itex]-3y+([itex]\frac{-3}{2})^{2}[/itex]=2+([itex]\frac{-3}{2})^{2}[/itex]
[itex]x^{2}[/itex]+(y-[itex]\frac{3}{2}[/itex][itex])^{2}[/itex]=[itex]\frac{17}{4}[/itex]??

I don't know where to go from the last line above for the center, maybe ([itex]\frac{3}{2}[/itex],0)??...

PART 2
I know also that I am supposed to take
[itex]\frac{∂r}{∂θ}[/itex] which is 3cosθ

when I take
[itex]\frac{∂x}{∂θ}[/itex] do I take the derivative of x=2+3([itex]\frac{y}{r}[/itex])([itex]\frac{x}{r}[/itex])?? And similarly for [itex]\frac{∂y}{∂θ}[/itex].

Lastly I know I have to take [itex]\frac{∂y}{∂x}[/itex] which I hope I can easily do after I sort out the issue above.

Thank you
 
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[itex]r = 2+3\frac{y}{r}[/itex] should become [itex]r^2 = 2r+3y[/itex]

You don't need to convert your curve to cartesian coordinates to sketch it though... you can plot them directly by finding the location of a bunch of points and drawing a curve through them

For [itex]\frac{\partial x}{\partial \theta}[/itex] You should use [itex]x = r\cos(\theta)[/itex] and do the product rule
 
What do I end up doing with the 2r now?

All of my examples from class always end up looking like
[itex]r^{2}[/itex]=(some coefficient)(a variable)
we never have a term with r remaining
 
I guess I could divide by 2 and get r by itself

r=([itex]\frac{x}{2})^{2}[/itex]+([itex]\frac{y}{2})^{2}[/itex]-[itex]\frac{3y}{2}[/itex]

but I don't know what I would do with that.
 

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