Tangent, Horizontal and Vertical Lines at the Pole

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on finding the tangent lines at the pole for the polar equation r = sin(5θ) within the interval [0, π]. The user derives the derivative dy/dx using the formula dy/dx = [f'(θ)sin(θ) + f(θ)cos(θ)]/[f'(θ)cos(θ) - f(θ)sin(θ)], where f(θ) = sin(5θ) and f'(θ) = 5cos(5θ). The user encounters difficulty in simplifying the expression and is advised to evaluate the derivative at points where sin(5θ) = 0 to advance their solution.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of polar coordinates and equations
  • Knowledge of derivatives and differentiation techniques
  • Familiarity with trigonometric functions and their properties
  • Ability to solve equations involving trigonometric identities
NEXT STEPS
  • Evaluate the derivative dy/dx at the points where sin(5θ) = 0
  • Study the implications of tangent lines in polar coordinates
  • Explore the behavior of the function sin(5θ) within the interval [0, π]
  • Learn about the graphical representation of polar equations and their tangents
USEFUL FOR

Mathematics students, educators, and anyone studying calculus, particularly in the context of polar coordinates and trigonometric functions.

IntegrateMe
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Help me understand exactly what is going on here. I'll put up an attempt at my solution:

Find the tangent lines at the pole r = sin5o, [0,pi] (note: o represents theta)

Equation: dy/dx = [f'(o)sino + f(o)coso]/[f'(o)coso - f(o)sino]

f(o) = sin5o
f'(o) = 5cos5o

plugging everything in we eventuate at:

dy/dx = [5*sino*coso + coso*sin5o]/[5cos5o*coso - sin5o*sino]

I'm stuck at this point. Any clue as to how i can advance?
 
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IntegrateMe said:
Help me understand exactly what is going on here. I'll put up an attempt at my solution:

Find the tangent lines at the pole r = sin5o, [0,pi] (note: o represents theta)

Equation: dy/dx = [f'(o)sino + f(o)coso]/[f'(o)coso - f(o)sino]

f(o) = sin5o
f'(o) = 5cos5o

plugging everything in we eventuate at:

dy/dx = [5*sino*coso + coso*sin5o]/[5cos5o*coso - sin5o*sino]

I'm stuck at this point. Any clue as to how i can advance?
You have a mistake in the numerator below. What is f'(o)sin(o)?
dy/dx = [5*sino*coso + coso*sin5o]/[5cos5o*coso - sin5o*sino]

For which values of theta is sin(5*theta) = 0? Evaluate your derivative function at those places.
 

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