Rewrite the given equation

1. Aug 16, 2009

Centurion1

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Rewrite the given equation using the substitutions x=rcos@ and y=rsin@

THETA EQUAL @
x2 + y2 +5x =0

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution

you plug in the subsititutions first. Then you factor it?

2. Aug 16, 2009

CompuChip

Well, just plug it in?

3. Aug 16, 2009

Дьявол

Plug them in, then factor out r2, and after that, factor r, and you will come up with 2 solutions for r.

Regards.

4. Aug 16, 2009

I see nothing in the OPs first message that states anything more than transforming the original equation needs to be done. Make the given substitution: you will be able to make some simplification because of the squared terms, even factor, but unless there are instructions that weren't posted, I wouldn't bother factoring (were you asked to do something after you transform the equation?)

5. Aug 16, 2009

Centurion1

I ended up just factoring it. It was far easier than i thought it would be. I just wanted to make sure of how i was doing it.

6. Aug 17, 2009

Mentallic

Factoring would be best here because it helps you to notice that the equation can be simplified because of the $$sin^2\theta+cos^2\theta=1$$

7. Aug 17, 2009

CompuChip

Well, if you got $r^2 + 5 r \cos\theta$ you did it correctly :)

When you get more "into" polar coordinates, you will start to notice immediately that x2 + y2 is actually precisely r2, where r is defined as the distance $\sqrt{x^2 + y^2}$ from the point (x, y) to the origin. But if you don't see that right away, you can just plug in the formula and use the identity posted by Mentallic (which you should remember for life anyway).