Find the area of the region inside both polar graphs

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the area of the region inside two polar graphs defined by the equations r1 = 1 + sin(θ) and r2 = 5sin(θ). Participants explore the intersection points of these curves and the methods to calculate the area between them.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss setting the two polar equations equal to find intersection points, with some expressing confusion about the numerical values of these points. There is also a mention of using arcsin to find angles and the challenges of manual calculations without a calculator.

Discussion Status

The conversation includes attempts to solve the equation 1 + sin(θ) = 5sin(θ) and discussions about the implications of the results. Some participants have provided guidance on how to approach the problem, while others are still questioning their understanding of the trigonometric aspects involved.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the problem involves polar coordinates and that the curves intersect at two points, which complicates the area calculation. There is also an acknowledgment of the symmetry of the curves about the y-axis, which may influence the setup of the integrals for area calculation.

Pi Face
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Homework Statement


r1= 1+sin(theta)
r2= 5sin(theta)


Homework Equations


see above?


The Attempt at a Solution


totally stumped. usually i would set the two curves equal to each other, but i have no idea how to do that. using my ti-89's solve function just gives me a weird answer using arcsin as well.
 
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Set the two r values equal to each other -- you can't set two equations equal to each other -- which gives you 1 + sin([itex]\theta[/itex]) = 5sin([itex]\theta[/itex]).

The graph of r = 5sin([itex]\theta[/itex]) is a circle of radius 2.5, whose center is at (0, 2.5) in rectangular coordinates. The other curve is a cardioid, a kind of heart-shaped curve. These curves intersect at two points.
 
Last edited:
but how do I find the numerical values of these two points?
 
Solve the equation 1 + sin([itex]\theta[/itex]) = 5sin([itex]\theta[/itex]). That will give you one of the values of [itex]\theta[/itex]. And because sin([itex]\pi - \theta[/itex]) = sin([itex]\theta[/itex]), that will give you the other one.
 
is there a way to solve it manually? my ti-89 gives me 6.28...(2pi) and 2.8889, which I am not sure what that converts to in radians.
 
which on second thought, doesn't make sense.

1+sin(2pi)=5sin(2pi)
1+0=0
1=0

huh?
 
Pi Face said:
is there a way to solve it manually? my ti-89 gives me 6.28...(2pi) and 2.8889, which I am not sure what that converts to in radians.
Absolutely, there's a way to solve it manually. Nothing I have done required the use of a calculator of any kind.

2.8889 is in radians, but both answers you show are WAY off. I really think you should put your calculator away.

What exactly did you do to solve 1 + sin([itex]\theta[/itex]) = 5sin([itex]\theta[/itex])? Show me your steps. No calculator.
 
Just woke up. A little groggy but I'll give it a shot.
theta=x out of laziness

1+sin(x)=5sin(x)
1=4sin(x)
sin(x)=1/4
...now what?
no where out of the "standard" points on the unit circle (pi/3,pi/2,pi/4, etc) does the y value equal 1/4

unless I can use the half/double angle formula somehow?

I REALLY got to go over my trig.
 
OK, good so far.
sin(x) = 1/4 ==> x = arcsin(1/4) = sin-1(1/4). Now you can use a calculator to get an approximate value for x, which is about 14.5 degrees, or about .253 radians. The exact value is The other angle is pi - x, or about 165.5 degrees.

Now, to find the area that is inside both curves, you should probably set this up as a polar integral. You can make life slightly easier by using the symmetry here, noting that both curves are symmetric about the y axis. Draw a graph of the two curves so you can figure out what your integrand needs to be. Also, because the boundary changes at the points of intersection, you'll need two integrals.
 
  • #10
Got it. The actual finding the area part was easy, just blanked out at the sinx=1/4 part. thanks for you help
 

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