Finding Max & Min of r=2-2cos(\Theta)

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ashford
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Max
AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on finding the maximum and minimum values of the polar equation r=2-2cos(Θ). The initial calculations incorrectly identified the maximum as 0 and the minimum as 4. However, it was clarified that the maximum value is actually 4 at Θ=π, while the minimum is 0 at Θ=0 and 2π. Additionally, a point was made that equations do not have maximum or minimum values; only functions do. The conversation emphasizes the importance of correctly identifying maxima and minima in polar coordinates.
Ashford
Messages
12
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Find the Maximum and Minimum of the following equation.
r=2-2cos(\Theta)


The Attempt at a Solution


Max- 2-2 cos (0\pi)=0
(0,0\pi);(0,2\pi)

Min 2-2cos(\pi)=4
(4,\pi)

Do i just have these backwards?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
0<4, so yes, you have them backwards. 4 is the max, 0 is the min.
 
I'm wondering how you determined that
Max- 2-2 cos (0)=0
(0,0\pi[/itex\);(0,2\pi)<br /> <br /> Min 2-2cos()=4<br /> (4,\pi)
<br /> <br /> And, by the way, an <i>equation</i> does <b>not</b> have a max or min- a <i>function</i> does. An equation does not even have a &quot;value&quot; to be max or min.
 
I picked up this problem from the Schaum's series book titled "College Mathematics" by Ayres/Schmidt. It is a solved problem in the book. But what surprised me was that the solution to this problem was given in one line without any explanation. I could, therefore, not understand how the given one-line solution was reached. The one-line solution in the book says: The equation is ##x \cos{\omega} +y \sin{\omega} - 5 = 0##, ##\omega## being the parameter. From my side, the only thing I could...
Back
Top