Find the Radius and Center of a Sphere, Quadric Surfaces

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on finding the radius and center of a sphere defined by the equation ρ = 28 cos ϕ. The transformation of this equation leads to the standard form of a sphere, x² + y² + z² = 28z. By completing the square for the z terms, the center of the sphere can be identified, and the radius can be determined from the resulting equation. The final solution reveals that the center is at (0, 0, 14) and the radius is 14.

PREREQUISITES
  • Spherical coordinates and their conversion to rectangular coordinates
  • Understanding of the equation of a sphere
  • Completing the square in algebra
  • Basic trigonometric functions and their applications
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the conversion between spherical and rectangular coordinates in detail
  • Learn how to derive the equation of a sphere from spherical coordinates
  • Practice completing the square with various algebraic expressions
  • Explore applications of spherical coordinates in physics and engineering
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Students studying calculus or geometry, particularly those focusing on three-dimensional shapes and their properties, as well as educators teaching spherical coordinates and their applications.

Unicow
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Homework Statement


[/B]
Find the radius and center of sphere
ρ = 28 cos ϕ.

Homework Equations



Relevant equations would be the spherical and rectangular coordinate equations.

The Attempt at a Solution



I started off by multiplying both sides of the equation by ρ to get

ρ^2 = 28 ρ cosϕ

Then this would allow me to get to the equation of a sphere which is

x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = 28z

I don't really know where to go from here. Could someone point me in the right direction? I can't really seem to find how to get rid of the z. I know the a^2 under x,y,z will give me the radius if I just take a.
 
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Unicow said:

Homework Statement


[/B]
Find the radius and center of sphere
ρ = 28 cos ϕ.

Homework Equations



Relevant equations would be the spherical and rectangular coordinate equations.

The Attempt at a Solution



I started off by multiplying both sides of the equation by ρ to get

ρ^2 = 28 ρ cosϕ

Then this would allow me to get to the equation of a sphere which is

x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = 28z

I don't really know where to go from here. Could someone point me in the right direction? I can't really seem to find how to get rid of the z. I know the a^2 under x,y,z will give me the radius if I just take a.
From your last equation, ##x^2 + y^2 + z^2 - 28z = 0##
Complete the square in the z terms. You'll have a sphere whose center is at (0, 0, ?).
 
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Mark44 said:
From your last equation, ##x^2 + y^2 + z^2 - 28z = 0##
Complete the square in the z terms. You'll have a sphere whose center is at (0, 0, ?).

You are an absolute life saver haha. Such a simple solution, I really need to learn to think outside the box... .
 
Last edited:

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