EnlightenedOne
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Homework Statement
Find the points at which the following polar equation has horizontal and vertical tangents:
r2 = 4cos(2θ)
Homework Equations
\frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{r'(θ)sinθ + r(θ)cosθ}{r'(θ)cosθ - r(θ)sinθ}
Horizontal Tangent: \frac{dy}{dθ} = 0; \frac{dx}{dθ} ≠ 0
Vertical Tangent: \frac{dx}{dθ} = 0; \frac{dy}{dθ} ≠ 0
The Attempt at a Solution
There is no "clean" way of solving for r (because of the +/- sqrt) so that I could find r'(θ) to use in the formula. So, I figured I would use implicit differentiation:
r2 = 4cos(2θ)
2r\frac{dr}{dθ} = -8sin(2θ)
\frac{dr}{dθ} = \frac{-4sin(2θ)}{r}
But, when I plug it in the formula, I now have an r and a θ when I set the numerator and denominator of \frac{dy}{dx} equal to zero (separately of course). I don't know what to do when I have both variables like that and I'm trying to solve for θ. How should I be approaching this problem? Have I done this problem right so far? If so, what do I do next? If not, any suggestions? Please be clear. I can't find this problem answered clearly anywhere on the internet.
Thank you