# Translate the rectangular equation to spherical

whynot314
Translate the rectangular equation to spherical and cylindrical equations.

http://www.texify.com/img/%5CLARGE%5C%21x%5E2%2By%5E2%2B2y-3x%2Bz%5E2%3D25.gif [Broken]

Last edited by a moderator:

Staff Emeritus
Homework Helper
Gold Member
Translate the rectangular equation to spherical and cylindrical equations.

http://www.texify.com/img/%5CLARGE%5C%21x%5E2%2By%5E2%2B2y-3x%2Bz%5E2%3D25.gif [Broken]
Hello whynot314. Welcome to PF!

What have you tried?

Where are you stuck?

We can't help you until you show us what you tried. It in the rules .

Last edited by a moderator:
whynot314
I first transformed x^2+y^2+z^2 into ρ^2

ρ^2+2ρsinϕsinθ-3ρsinϕcosθ=25

then factored out a ρ

ρ(ρ+2sinϕsinθ-3sinϕcosθ)=25

I want to solve for ρ,

I am confused as to, weather or not subtract 25 and set it equal to zero or keep it like this and have two equations where

ρ=25

and

ρ=25-2sinϕsinθ+3sinϕcosθ

Homework Helper
Then what you need is a good class in arithmetic! If ab= c it does NOT follow that "a= c or b= c!!

If that isn't enough, if xy= 10, it does NOT follow that either x= 10 (and y= 1) or y= 10 (and x= 1). There are an infinite number of soutions to xy= 10.

Staff Emeritus
Homework Helper
Gold Member
I first transformed x^2+y^2+z^2 into ρ^2

ρ^2+2ρsinϕsinθ-3ρsinϕcosθ=25

then factored out a ρ

ρ(ρ+2sinϕsinθ-3sinϕcosθ)=25

I want to solve for ρ,

I am confused as to, weather or not subtract 25 and set it equal to zero or keep it like this and have two equations where

ρ=25

and

ρ=25-2sinϕsinθ+3sinϕcosθ
How can you say ρ = 25 ?

ρ2 + 2ρsinϕsinθ-3ρsinϕcosθ = 25 is quadratic in ρ .

Complete the square or use the quadratic formula to solve for ρ.

For either, you may want to rewrite your equation as:
ρ2 + 2ρsinϕ(sinθ-cosθ) = 25​
$\sin^2\phi\left(\sin\theta-\cos\theta\right)^2$​