How to Graph r=2cos(theta) in Cylindrical Coordinates?

Click For Summary
To graph r=2cos(theta) in cylindrical coordinates, start by recognizing that the equation describes a set of vertical lines for any given angle. At theta = pi/3, the radius r equals 1, indicating that the horizontal cross-section remains consistent regardless of the z-value. Converting the equation to rectangular coordinates can help visualize the shape more clearly. This approach allows for a better understanding of the graph's structure. Ultimately, the key is to interpret the relationship between r, theta, and z in cylindrical coordinates.
ranger1716
Messages
17
Reaction score
0
I'm having some trouble understanding exactly how to graph this problem using cylindrical coordinates. The coordinates they give me is r=2cos(theta)

How do I go about beginning to determine how to graph this with only the radius?
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Anywhere the angle is pi/3, r = 1, no matter what z is--the horizontal cross section is the same as you move up or down. The set of points satisfying that equation is therefore a set of vertical lines. To find the cross section (in a form that you can recognize) you could start by converting the equation to rectangular coordinates.
 

Thread 'Distance between a Clock's hands when the distance is increasing most rapidly'

Question: A clock's minute hand has length 4 and its hour hand has length 3. What is the distance between the tips at the moment when it is increasing most rapidly?(Putnam Exam Question) Answer: Making assumption that both the hands moves at constant angular velocities, the answer is ## \sqrt{7} .## But don't you think this assumption is somewhat doubtful and wrong?
View full post »

Similar threads

How to set bounds in cylindrical coordinates analytically?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Volume of a sphere in cylindrical coordinates
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
The relation between the normal and the slope of a cylindrical curve
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
Cartesian to Cylindrical coordinates?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Is the Triple Integral in Cylindrical Coordinates Correctly Solved?
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
Kinematics in Cylindrical Coordinates
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Sketching surfaces described in cylindrical coordinates
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
4K
Bounded regions and triple integrals
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Understanding the Equation for Velocity Field in Cylindrical Coordinates
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Problem with a double integral
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K