Tangent slope with polar coordinate

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem involving the tangent slope in polar coordinates, as illustrated in a linked image. Participants are examining the calculations and reasoning related to the polar function and its implications for the tangent slope.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to identify errors in their calculations, particularly regarding the evaluation of expressions and the implications of negative values for polar coordinates. There are questions about the validity of certain steps and whether specific angles are within the function's domain.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing corrections and questioning assumptions about the polar function. Some have suggested that transforming to Cartesian coordinates might simplify the problem, while others are still exploring potential errors in their calculations.

Contextual Notes

There are constraints regarding the interpretation of negative values in polar coordinates, as well as concerns about the domain of the function at specific angles. Participants are also navigating the complexity of expressing mathematical terms in the forum format.

yecko
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Homework Statement


http://i.imgur.com/4FPnTNS.jpg
4FPnTNS.jpg


Homework Equations


(Written in above photo)

The Attempt at a Solution


(Written in above photo)

I have tried hard in figuring out what's wong I have done done, but what I finally got is still option d instead of the model answer e.
Are there any bugs and where are they?
Thank you very much.

(Please forgive me for writing out all the thing because of the difficulty in typing all those expressions.)
 
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How much is ##-{1\over 2} -{1\over 2} ## ?
 
BvU said:
How much is ##-{1\over 2} -{1\over 2} ## ?
It is -1 which I forgot to change in the last line of the step, but I have corrected it in the following steps already... It shouldn't be a problem to the answer...

Whats other bug? thank you.
 
yecko said:
It is -1 which I forgot to change in the last line of the step, but I have corrected it in the following steps already... It shouldn't be a problem to the answer...

Whats other bug? thank you.
Try to draw the curve r=f(θ). Is θ=pi/4 in the domain?
 

Attachments

  • r(theta).jpg
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yecko said:
I have corrected it in the following steps already... .
No you haven't.
 
ehild said:
Try to draw the curve r=f(θ). Is θ=pi/4 in the domain?
[EDIT]Typo. I see what you mean -- and what the exercise composer means

upload_2017-3-13_16-26-34.png
 

Attachments

  • upload_2017-3-13_16-21-3.png
    upload_2017-3-13_16-21-3.png
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The polar coordinate r can not be negative as it is the distance from the origin.Half of your curve resulted from negative r=f(θ). The problem maker forgot about that.
 
Last edited:
(Edit)
Unless I blundered, it looks quite tractable if you start by transforming to cartesian co-ordinates.

Edit: I did and it isn't
 
Last edited:

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