R^2 -> R^2 transformation of unit circle into square.

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the transformation of a unit circle defined by the equation x² + y² ≤ 1 into a square with specified vertices. Participants explore the mathematical methods for achieving this transformation, including the use of polar coordinates and parametric equations.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents the unit circle in Cartesian coordinates and expresses confusion about converting it into a square, suggesting a need for polar coordinates.
  • Another participant corrects the first by stating that the initial equations are parametric rather than polar and suggests converting the polar equation to a parametric form.
  • A later post acknowledges an error in the previous calculations and proposes a new polar parametric equation, providing specific equations for x and y with constraints.
  • The proposed equations include complex expressions involving trigonometric functions, which some participants may find challenging to interpret.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no clear consensus on the correct method for transforming the unit circle into a square, as participants present differing approaches and corrections without resolving the overall question.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not fully established the assumptions underlying their transformations, and there are unresolved mathematical steps in the proposed equations.

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I have a unit circle:
x^2+y^2 <= 1

And I'm asked to convert it to a square with verticies (0,0),(0,1),(1,0),(1,1).

Now obviously I have to do this in polar coordinates, so I've rewritten the equation as:

x = cos t
y = sin t

I'm sort of drawing a blank after setting up these equations. How can I convert this curve into straight lines. Any suggestions?
 
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Those aren't really polar coordinates, they're parametric. Converting your unit circle equation into a polar equation would yield, [tex]r=\pm\sqrt{\frac{1}{2cos^2(\theta)}[/tex], to make this into a square, you'll have to convert this polar equation to a parametric equation.
 
Oops, I just noticed I did something wrong, I'll try to fix it.
 
Okay, I think I found my problem...
What you need to do is to convert the parametric equation you have into a polar parametric equation. The answer I got was:
[tex]r=\pm\sqrt{cos^4(T)+sin^2(T)}[/tex]
[tex]\theta=tan^{-1}(tan(T)[/tex]

This simplifies to four x-y parametric equations with constraints:

[tex]-1\leq T \leq1 for X_1,X_2,Y_3,Y_4[/tex]

[tex]T=0 for Y_1,Y_2,X_3,X_4[/tex]

[tex]X_1=tan^{-1}(tan(T))[/tex]
[tex]Y_1=\sqrt{cos^4(T)+sin^2(T)}[/tex]

[tex]X_2=tan^{-1}(tan(T))[/tex]
[tex]Y_2=-\sqrt{cos^4(T)+sin^2(T)}[/tex]

[tex]X_3=\sqrt{cos^4(T)+sin^2(T)}[/tex]
[tex]Y_3=tan^{-1}(tan(T))[/tex]

[tex]X_4=-\sqrt{cos^4(T)+sin^2(T)}[/tex]
[tex]Y_4=tan^{-1}(tan(T))[/tex]
 
Last edited:

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