Section 9.

3 Polar Coordinates 2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

Polar Coordinates
DEFINITION: The polar coordinate system is a two-dimensional coordinate system in which each
point P on a plane is determined by a distance r from a fixed point O that is called the pole (or origin)
and an angle from a fixed direction. The point P is represented by the ordered pair (r, ) and r, are
called polar coordinates.

REMARK: We extend the meaning of polar coordinates (r, ) to the case in which r is negative by agreeing
that the points (r, ) and (r, ) lie in the same line through O and at the same distance |r| from O, but
on opposite sides of O. If r > 0, the point (r, ) lies in the same quadrant as ; if r < 0, it lies in the
quadrant on the opposite side of the pole.

EXAMPLE: Plot the points whose polar coordinates are given:

(a) (1, 5/4) (b) (2, 3) (c) (2, 2/3) (d) (3, 3/4)
Solution:

REMARK: In the Cartesian coordinate system every point has only one representation, but in the polar
coordinate system each point has many representations. For instance, the point (1, 5/4) in the Example
above could be written as (1, 3/4) or (1, 13/4) or (1, /4):

EXAMPLE: Find all the polar coordinates of the point P (2, /6).

1
Section 9.3 Polar Coordinates 2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

EXAMPLE: Find all the polar coordinates of the point P (2, /6).
Solution: We sketch the initial ray of the coordinate system, draw the ray from the origin that makes an
angle of /6 radians with the initial ray, and mark the point (2, /6). We then find the angles for the other
coordinate pairs of P in which r = 2 and r = 2.

For r = 2, the complete list of angles is

, 2, 4, 6, ...
6 6 6 6
For r = 2, the angles are
5 5 5 5
, 2, 4, 6, ...
6 6 6 6
The corresponding coordinate pairs of P are
( )
2, + 2n , n = 0, 1, 2, . . .
6
and ( )
5
2, + 2n , n = 0, 1, 2, . . .
6
When n = 0, the formulas give (2, /6) and (2, 5/6). When n = 1, they give (2, 13/6) and (2, 7/6),
and so on.

The connection between polar and Cartesian coordinates can be seen from the figure below and described
by the following formulas:

x = r cos y = r sin

y
r 2 = x2 + y 2 tan =
x

EXAMPLE:
(a) Convert the point (2, /3) from polar to Cartesian coordinates.
(b) Represent the point with Cartesian coordinates (1, 1) in terms of polar coordinates.

2
Section 9.3 Polar Coordinates 2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

EXAMPLE:
(a) Convert the point (2, /3) from polar to Cartesian coordinates.
(b) Represent the point with Cartesian coordinates (1, 1) in terms of polar coordinates.
Solution:
(a) We have:

1 3
x = r cos = 2 cos = 2 = 1 y = r sin = 2 sin = 2 = 3
3 2 3 2

Therefore, the point is (1, 3) in Cartesian coordinates.
(b) If we choose r to be positive, then
y
r= x2 + y 2 = 12 + (1)2 = 2 tan = = 1
x

(1, 1) lies in the fourth

Since the point quadrant, we can choose = /4 or = 7/4. Thus one possible
answer is ( 2, /4); another is ( 2, 7/4).

EXAMPLE: Express the equation x = 1 in polar coordinates.

Solution: We use the formula x = r cos .

x=1

r cos = 1

r = sec

EXAMPLE: Express the equation x2 = 4y in polar coordinates.

Solution: We use the formulas x = r cos and y = r sin .

x2 = 4y

(r cos )2 = 4r sin

r2 cos2 = 4r sin

sin
r=4 = 4 sec tan
cos2

3
 Polar Curves

The graph of a polar equation r = f (), or more generally F (r, ) = 0, consists of all points P that
have at least one polar representation (r, ) whose coordinates satisfy the equation.

EXAMPLE: Sketch the polar curve = 1.

Solution: This curve consists of all points (r, ) such that the polar angle is 1 radian. It is the straight
line that passes through O and makes an angle of 1 radian with the polar axis. Notice that the points
(r, 1) on the line with r > 0 are in the first quadrant, whereas those with r < 0 are in the third quadrant.

EXAMPLE: Sketch the following curves:

(a) r = 2, 0 2.

(b) r = 2 cos , 0 .

4
Section 9.3 Polar Coordinates 2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

EXAMPLE: Sketch the curve r = 2, 0 2.

Solution: We have
r=2, theta=Pi6 r=2, theta=2 Pi6 r=2, theta=3 Pi6
2 2 2

1 1 1

-2 -1 1 2 -2 -1 1 2 -2 -1 1 2

-1 -1 -1

-2 -2 -2

r=2, theta=4 Pi6 r=2, theta=5 Pi6 r=2, theta=6 Pi6

2 2 2

1 1 1

-2 -1 1 2 -2 -1 1 2 -2 -1 1 2

-1 -1 -1

-2 -2 -2

r=2, theta=7 Pi6 r=2, theta=8 Pi6 r=2, theta=9 Pi6

2 2 2

1 1 1

-2 -1 1 2 -2 -1 1 2 -2 -1 1 2

-1 -1 -1

-2 -2 -2

r=2, theta=10 Pi6 r=2, theta=11 Pi6 r=2, theta=12 Pi6

2 2 2

1 1 1

-2 -1 1 2 -2 -1 1 2 -2 -1 1 2

-1 -1 -1

-2 -2 -2

5
Section 9.3 Polar Coordinates 2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

EXAMPLE: Sketch the curve r = 2 cos , 0 .

Solution: We have
r=2cosHthetaL, theta=Pi12 r=2cosHthetaL, theta=2 Pi12 r=2cosHthetaL, theta=3 Pi12
1.0 1.0 1.0

0.5 0.5 0.5

-0.5 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0

-0.5 -0.5 -0.5

-1.0 -1.0 -1.0

r=2cosHthetaL, theta=4 Pi12 r=2cosHthetaL, theta=5 Pi12 r=2cosHthetaL, theta=6 Pi12

1.0 1.0 1.0

0.5 0.5 0.5

-0.5 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0

-0.5 -0.5 -0.5

-1.0 -1.0 -1.0

r=2cosHthetaL, theta=7 Pi12 r=2cosHthetaL, theta=8 Pi12 r=2cosHthetaL, theta=9 Pi12

1.0 1.0 1.0

0.5 0.5 0.5

-0.5 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0

-0.5 -0.5 -0.5

-1.0 -1.0 -1.0

r=2cosHthetaL, theta=10 Pi12 r=2cosHthetaL, theta=11 Pi12 r=2cosHthetaL, theta=12 Pi12

1.0 1.0 1.0

0.5 0.5 0.5

-0.5 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0

-0.5 -0.5 -0.5

-1.0 -1.0 -1.0

6
EXAMPLE: Express the polar equation r = 2 cos in rectangular coordinates.
Solution: We use the formulas r2 = x2 + y 2 and x = r cos . We have

r = 2 cos

r2 = 2r cos

x2 + y 2 = 2x

x2 2x + y 2 = 0

x2 2x + 1 + y 2 = 1

(x 1)2 + y 2 = 1

EXAMPLE: Express the polar equation in rectangular coordinates. If possible, determine the graph of
the equation from its rectangular form.
(a) r = 5 sec (b) r = 2 sin (c) r = 2 + 2 cos

7
EXAMPLE: Express the polar equation in rectangular coordinates. If possible, determine the graph of
the equation from its rectangular form.
(a) r = 5 sec (b) r = 2 sin (c) r = 2 + 2 cos
Solution: We use the formulas r2 = x2 + y 2 , x = r cos and y = r sin .
(a) We have
r = 5 sec

r cos = 5

x=5

(b) We have
r = 2 sin

r2 = 2r sin

x2 + y 2 = 2y

x2 + y 2 2y = 0

x2 + y 2 2y + 1 = 1

x2 + (y 1)2 = 1

(c) We have
r = 2 + 2 cos

r2 = 2r + 2r cos

x2 + y 2 = 2r + 2x

x2 + y 2 2x = 2r

(x2 + y 2 2x)2 = 4r2

(x2 + y 2 2x)2 = 4(x2 + y 2 )

8
Section 9.3 Polar Coordinates 2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

EXAMPLE: Sketch the curve r = 1 + sin , 0 2 (cardioid).

Solution: We have
r=1+sinHthetaL, theta=Pi6 r=1+sinHthetaL, theta=2 Pi6 r=1+sinHthetaL, theta=3 Pi6
2.0 2.0 2.0

1.5 1.5 1.5

1.0 1.0 1.0

0.5 0.5 0.5

-1.5 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 1.5 -1.5 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 1.5 -1.5 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 1.5

-0.5 -0.5 -0.5

r=1+sinHthetaL, theta=4 Pi6 r=1+sinHthetaL, theta=5 Pi6 r=1+sinHthetaL, theta=6 Pi6

2.0 2.0 2.0

1.5 1.5 1.5

1.0 1.0 1.0

0.5 0.5 0.5

-1.5 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 1.5 -1.5 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 1.5 -1.5 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 1.5

-0.5 -0.5 -0.5

r=1+sinHthetaL, theta=7 Pi6 r=1+sinHthetaL, theta=8 Pi6 r=1+sinHthetaL, theta=9 Pi6

2.0 2.0 2.0

1.5 1.5 1.5

1.0 1.0 1.0

0.5 0.5 0.5

-1.5 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 1.5 -1.5 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 1.5 -1.5 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 1.5

-0.5 -0.5 -0.5

r=1+sinHthetaL, theta=10 Pi6 r=1+sinHthetaL, theta=11 Pi6 r=1+sinHthetaL, theta=12 Pi6

2.0 2.0 2.0

1.5 1.5 1.5

1.0 1.0 1.0

0.5 0.5 0.5

-1.5 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 1.5 -1.5 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 1.5 -1.5 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 1.5

-0.5 -0.5 -0.5

9
Section 9.3 Polar Coordinates 2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

EXAMPLE: Sketch the curve r = 1 cos , 0 2 (cardioid).

Solution: We have
r=1-cosHthetaL, theta=Pi6 r=1-cosHthetaL, theta=2 Pi6 r=1-cosHthetaL, theta=3 Pi6
1.5 1.5 1.5

1.0 1.0 1.0

0.5 0.5 0.5

-2.0 -1.5 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 -2.0 -1.5 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 -2.0 -1.5 -1.0 -0.5 0.5

-0.5 -0.5 -0.5

-1.0 -1.0 -1.0

-1.5 -1.5 -1.5

r=1-cosHthetaL, theta=4 Pi6 r=1-cosHthetaL, theta=5 Pi6 r=1-cosHthetaL, theta=6 Pi6

1.5 1.5 1.5

1.0 1.0 1.0

0.5 0.5 0.5

-2.0 -1.5 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 -2.0 -1.5 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 -2.0 -1.5 -1.0 -0.5 0.5

-0.5 -0.5 -0.5

-1.0 -1.0 -1.0

-1.5 -1.5 -1.5

r=1-cosHthetaL, theta=7 Pi6 r=1-cosHthetaL, theta=8 Pi6 r=1-cosHthetaL, theta=9 Pi6

1.5 1.5 1.5

1.0 1.0 1.0

0.5 0.5 0.5

-2.0 -1.5 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 -2.0 -1.5 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 -2.0 -1.5 -1.0 -0.5 0.5

-0.5 -0.5 -0.5

-1.0 -1.0 -1.0

-1.5 -1.5 -1.5

r=1-cosHthetaL, theta=10 Pi6 r=1-cosHthetaL, theta=11 Pi6 r=1-cosHthetaL, theta=12 Pi6

1.5 1.5 1.5

1.0 1.0 1.0

0.5 0.5 0.5

-2.0 -1.5 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 -2.0 -1.5 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 -2.0 -1.5 -1.0 -0.5 0.5

-0.5 -0.5 -0.5

-1.0 -1.0 -1.0

-1.5 -1.5 -1.5

10
Section 9.3 Polar Coordinates 2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

EXAMPLE: Sketch the curve r = 2 + 4 cos , 0 2.

Solution: We have
r=2+4cosHthetaL, theta=Pi6 r=2+4cosHthetaL, theta=2 Pi6 r=2+4cosHthetaL, theta=3 Pi6
3 3 3

2 2 2

1 1 1

1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
-1 -1 -1

-2 -2 -2

-3 -3 -3

r=2+4cosHthetaL, theta=4 Pi6 r=2+4cosHthetaL, theta=5 Pi6 r=2+4cosHthetaL, theta=6 Pi6

3 3 3

2 2 2

1 1 1

1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
-1 -1 -1

-2 -2 -2

-3 -3 -3

r=2+4cosHthetaL, theta=7 Pi6 r=2+4cosHthetaL, theta=8 Pi6 r=2+4cosHthetaL, theta=9 Pi6

3 3 3

2 2 2

1 1 1

1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
-1 -1 -1

-2 -2 -2

-3 -3 -3

r=2+4cosHthetaL, theta=10 Pi6 r=2+4cosHthetaL, theta=11 Pi6 r=2+4cosHthetaL, theta=12 Pi6

3 3 3

2 2 2

1 1 1

1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
-1 -1 -1

-2 -2 -2

-3 -3 -3

11
Section 9.3 Polar Coordinates 2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

EXAMPLE: Sketch the curve r = cos(2), 0 2 (four-leaved rose).

Solution: We have
r=cosH2thetaL, theta=Pi6 r=cosH2thetaL, theta=2 Pi6 r=cosH2thetaL, theta=3 Pi6

1.0 1.0 1.0

0.5 0.5 0.5

-1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0

-0.5 -0.5 -0.5

-1.0 -1.0 -1.0

r=cosH2thetaL, theta=4 Pi6 r=cosH2thetaL, theta=5 Pi6 r=cosH2thetaL, theta=6 Pi6

1.0 1.0 1.0

0.5 0.5 0.5

-1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0

-0.5 -0.5 -0.5

-1.0 -1.0 -1.0

r=cosH2thetaL, theta=7 Pi6 r=cosH2thetaL, theta=8 Pi6 r=cosH2thetaL, theta=9 Pi6

1.0 1.0 1.0

0.5 0.5 0.5

-1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0

-0.5 -0.5 -0.5

-1.0 -1.0 -1.0

r=cosH2thetaL, theta=10 Pi6 r=cosH2thetaL, theta=11 Pi6 r=cosH2thetaL, theta=12 Pi6

1.0 1.0 1.0

0.5 0.5 0.5

-1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0

-0.5 -0.5 -0.5

-1.0 -1.0 -1.0

12
Section 9.3 Polar Coordinates 2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

EXAMPLE: Sketch the curve r = sin(2), 0 2 (four-leaved rose).

Solution: We have
r=sinH2thetaL, theta=Pi6 r=sinH2thetaL, theta=2 Pi6 r=sinH2thetaL, theta=3 Pi6

1.0 1.0 1.0

0.5 0.5 0.5

-1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0

-0.5 -0.5 -0.5

-1.0 -1.0 -1.0

r=sinH2thetaL, theta=4 Pi6 r=sinH2thetaL, theta=5 Pi6 r=sinH2thetaL, theta=6 Pi6

1.0 1.0 1.0

0.5 0.5 0.5

-1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0

-0.5 -0.5 -0.5

-1.0 -1.0 -1.0

r=sinH2thetaL, theta=7 Pi6 r=sinH2thetaL, theta=8 Pi6 r=sinH2thetaL, theta=9 Pi6

1.0 1.0 1.0

0.5 0.5 0.5

-1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0

-0.5 -0.5 -0.5

-1.0 -1.0 -1.0

r=sinH2thetaL, theta=10 Pi6 r=sinH2thetaL, theta=11 Pi6 r=sinH2thetaL, theta=12 Pi6

1.0 1.0 1.0

0.5 0.5 0.5

-1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0

-0.5 -0.5 -0.5

-1.0 -1.0 -1.0

13
Section 9.3 Polar Coordinates 2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

EXAMPLE: Sketch the curve r = sin(3), 0 (three-leaved rose).

Solution: We have
r=sinH3thetaL, theta=Pi12 r=sinH3thetaL, theta=2 Pi12 r=sinH3thetaL, theta=3 Pi12

1.0 1.0 1.0

0.5 0.5 0.5

-1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0

-0.5 -0.5 -0.5

-1.0 -1.0 -1.0

r=sinH3thetaL, theta=4 Pi12 r=sinH3thetaL, theta=5 Pi12 r=sinH3thetaL, theta=6 Pi12

1.0 1.0 1.0

0.5 0.5 0.5

-1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0

-0.5 -0.5 -0.5

-1.0 -1.0 -1.0

r=sinH3thetaL, theta=7 Pi12 r=sinH3thetaL, theta=8 Pi12 r=sinH3thetaL, theta=9 Pi12

1.0 1.0 1.0

0.5 0.5 0.5

-1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0

-0.5 -0.5 -0.5

-1.0 -1.0 -1.0

r=sinH3thetaL, theta=10 Pi12 r=sinH3thetaL, theta=11 Pi12 r=sinH3thetaL, theta=12 Pi12

1.0 1.0 1.0

0.5 0.5 0.5

-1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0

-0.5 -0.5 -0.5

-1.0 -1.0 -1.0

14
Section 9.3 Polar Coordinates 2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

EXAMPLE: Sketch the curve r = sin(4), 0 2 (eight-leaved rose).

Solution: We have
r=sinH4thetaL, theta=Pi6 r=sinH4thetaL, theta=2 Pi6 r=sinH4thetaL, theta=3 Pi6

1.0 1.0 1.0

0.5 0.5 0.5

-1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0

-0.5 -0.5 -0.5

-1.0 -1.0 -1.0

r=sinH4thetaL, theta=4 Pi6 r=sinH4thetaL, theta=5 Pi6 r=sinH4thetaL, theta=6 Pi6

1.0 1.0 1.0

0.5 0.5 0.5

-1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0

-0.5 -0.5 -0.5

-1.0 -1.0 -1.0

r=sinH4thetaL, theta=7 Pi6 r=sinH4thetaL, theta=8 Pi6 r=sinH4thetaL, theta=9 Pi6

1.0 1.0 1.0

0.5 0.5 0.5

-1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0

-0.5 -0.5 -0.5

-1.0 -1.0 -1.0

r=sinH4thetaL, theta=10 Pi6 r=sinH4thetaL, theta=11 Pi6 r=sinH4thetaL, theta=12 Pi6

1.0 1.0 1.0

0.5 0.5 0.5

-1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0

-0.5 -0.5 -0.5

-1.0 -1.0 -1.0

15
Section 9.3 Polar Coordinates 2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

EXAMPLE: Sketch the curve r = sin(5), 0 2 (five-leaved rose).

Solution: We have
r=sinH5thetaL, theta=Pi6 r=sinH5thetaL, theta=2 Pi6 r=sinH5thetaL, theta=3 Pi6

1.0 1.0 1.0

0.5 0.5 0.5

-1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0

-0.5 -0.5 -0.5

-1.0 -1.0 -1.0

r=sinH5thetaL, theta=4 Pi6 r=sinH5thetaL, theta=5 Pi6 r=sinH5thetaL, theta=6 Pi6

1.0 1.0 1.0

0.5 0.5 0.5

-1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0

-0.5 -0.5 -0.5

-1.0 -1.0 -1.0

r=sinH5thetaL, theta=7 Pi6 r=sinH5thetaL, theta=8 Pi6 r=sinH5thetaL, theta=9 Pi6

1.0 1.0 1.0

0.5 0.5 0.5

-1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0

-0.5 -0.5 -0.5

-1.0 -1.0 -1.0

r=sinH5thetaL, theta=10 Pi6 r=sinH5thetaL, theta=11 Pi6 r=sinH5thetaL, theta=12 Pi6

1.0 1.0 1.0

0.5 0.5 0.5

-1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0

-0.5 -0.5 -0.5

-1.0 -1.0 -1.0

16
Section 9.3 Polar Coordinates 2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

EXAMPLE: Sketch the curve r = sin(6), 0 2 (twelve-leaved rose).

Solution: We have
r=sinH6thetaL, theta=Pi6 r=sinH6thetaL, theta=2 Pi6 r=sinH6thetaL, theta=3 Pi6

1.0 1.0 1.0

0.5 0.5 0.5

-1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0

-0.5 -0.5 -0.5

-1.0 -1.0 -1.0

r=sinH6thetaL, theta=4 Pi6 r=sinH6thetaL, theta=5 Pi6 r=sinH6thetaL, theta=6 Pi6

1.0 1.0 1.0

0.5 0.5 0.5

-1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0

-0.5 -0.5 -0.5

-1.0 -1.0 -1.0

r=sinH6thetaL, theta=7 Pi6 r=sinH6thetaL, theta=8 Pi6 r=sinH6thetaL, theta=9 Pi6

1.0 1.0 1.0

0.5 0.5 0.5

-1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0

-0.5 -0.5 -0.5

-1.0 -1.0 -1.0

r=sinH6thetaL, theta=10 Pi6 r=sinH6thetaL, theta=11 Pi6 r=sinH6thetaL, theta=12 Pi6

1.0 1.0 1.0

0.5 0.5 0.5

-1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0

-0.5 -0.5 -0.5

-1.0 -1.0 -1.0

17
Section 9.3 Polar Coordinates 2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

EXAMPLE: Sketch the curve r = sin(7), 0 2 (seven-leaved rose).

Solution: We have
r=sinH7thetaL, theta=Pi6 r=sinH7thetaL, theta=2 Pi6 r=sinH7thetaL, theta=3 Pi6

1.0 1.0 1.0

0.5 0.5 0.5

-1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0

-0.5 -0.5 -0.5

-1.0 -1.0 -1.0

r=sinH7thetaL, theta=4 Pi6 r=sinH7thetaL, theta=5 Pi6 r=sinH7thetaL, theta=6 Pi6

1.0 1.0 1.0

0.5 0.5 0.5

-1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0

-0.5 -0.5 -0.5

-1.0 -1.0 -1.0

r=sinH7thetaL, theta=7 Pi6 r=sinH7thetaL, theta=8 Pi6 r=sinH7thetaL, theta=9 Pi6

1.0 1.0 1.0

0.5 0.5 0.5

-1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0

-0.5 -0.5 -0.5

-1.0 -1.0 -1.0

r=sinH7thetaL, theta=10 Pi6 r=sinH7thetaL, theta=11 Pi6 r=sinH7thetaL, theta=12 Pi6

1.0 1.0 1.0

0.5 0.5 0.5

-1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0

-0.5 -0.5 -0.5

-1.0 -1.0 -1.0

18
Section 9.3 Polar Coordinates 2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

1
EXAMPLE: Sketch the curve r = 1 + sin(10), 0 2.
10
Solution: We have
r=1+sinH10thetaL10, theta=Pi6 r=1+sinH10thetaL10, theta=2 Pi6 r=1+sinH10thetaL10, theta=3 Pi6

1.0 1.0 1.0

0.5 0.5 0.5

-1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0

-0.5 -0.5 -0.5

-1.0 -1.0 -1.0

r=1+sinH10thetaL10, theta=4 Pi6 r=1+sinH10thetaL10, theta=5 Pi6 r=1+sinH10thetaL10, theta=6 Pi6

1.0 1.0 1.0

0.5 0.5 0.5

-1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0

-0.5 -0.5 -0.5

-1.0 -1.0 -1.0

r=1+sinH10thetaL10, theta=7 Pi6 r=1+sinH10thetaL10, theta=8 Pi6 r=1+sinH10thetaL10, theta=9 Pi6

1.0 1.0 1.0

0.5 0.5 0.5

-1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0

-0.5 -0.5 -0.5

-1.0 -1.0 -1.0

r=1+sinH10thetaL10, theta=10 Pi6 r=1+sinH10thetaL10, theta=11 Pi6 r=1+sinH10thetaL10, theta=12 Pi6

1.0 1.0 1.0

0.5 0.5 0.5

-1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0 -1.0 -0.5 0.5 1.0

-0.5 -0.5 -0.5

-1.0 -1.0 -1.0

19
Section 9.3 Polar Coordinates 2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

EXAMPLE: Match the polar equations with the graphs labeled I-VI:

(a) r = sin(/2) (b) r = sin(/4)

(c) r = sin + sin3 (5/2) (d) r = sin

(e) r = 1 + 4 cos(5) (f) r = 1/

20
Section 9.3 Polar Coordinates 2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

Tangents to Polar Curves

To find a tangent line to a polar curve r = f () we regard as a parameter and write its parametric
equations as
x = r cos = f () cos y = r sin = f () sin
Then, using the method for finding slopes of parametric curves and the Product Rule, we have

dy dr
dy sin + r cos
= d = d (1)
dx dx dr
cos r sin
d d

EXAMPLE:
(a) For the cardioid r = 1 + sin , find the slope of the tangent line when = /3.
(b) Find the points on the cardioid where the tangent line is horizontal or vertical.

21
Section 9.3 Polar Coordinates 2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

EXAMPLE:
(a) For the cardioid r = 1 + sin , find the slope of the tangent line when = /3.
(b) Find the points on the cardioid where the tangent line is horizontal or vertical.
Solution: Using Equation 1 with r = 1 + sin , we have
dr
dy d
sin + r cos cos sin + (1 + sin ) cos
= =
dx dr
d
cos r sin cos cos (1 + sin ) sin

cos (1 + 2 sin ) cos (1 + 2 sin )

= =
1 2 sin sin
2
(1 + sin )(1 2 sin )
(a) The slope of the tangent at the point where = /3 is

dy  cos(/3)(1 + 2 sin(/3)) 1
(1 + 3)
= =
2

dx =/3 (1 + sin(/3))(1 2 sin(/3)) (1 + 3/2)(1 3)

1+ 3 1+ 3
= = = 1
(2 + 3)(1 3) 1 3
(b) Observe that
dy 3 7 11
= cos (1 + 2 sin ) = 0 when = , , ,
d 2 2 6 6

dx 3 5
= (1 + sin )(1 2 sin ) = 0 when = , ,
d 2 6 6
Therefore there are horizontal tangents at the points (2, /2), ( 12 , 7/6), ( 12 , 11/6) and vertical tangents
at ( 23 , /6) and ( 32 , 5/6). When = 3/2, both dy/d and dx/d are 0, so we must be careful. Using
lHospitals Rule, we ( have )( )
dy 1 + 2 sin cos
lim = lim lim
(3/2) dx (3/2) 1 2 sin (3/2) 1 + sin

1 cos 1 sin
= lim = lim =
3 (3/2) 1 + sin 3 (3/2) cos
By symmetry,
dy
lim =
(3/2)+ dx
Thus there is a vertical tangent line at the pole.

REMARK: Instead of having to remember Equation 1, we could employ the method used to derive it. For
instance, in the above Example we could have written
1
x = r cos = (1 + sin ) cos = cos + sin 2
2
y = r sin = (1 + sin ) sin = sin + sin2
Then we would have
dy dy/d cos + 2 sin cos cos + sin 2
= = =
dx dx/d sin + cos 2 sin + cos 2
which is equivalent to our previous expression.

22