4/19/2021

Plane area bounded by polar curves

• Given the plane region bounded by r = f(), line =  and line = as
shown in the figure below. To find the area of the region in Fig.1
Area of Region in Polar (shaded), consider the sector of a circle (in Fig. 2).
Sector of a
Curves Fig. 1 
Fig. 2
circle:


r = f( ) r
Mr. Dolfus G. Miciano 
r = f( )
As = ½ r2

A = ∫ ½ 𝑟 d

Or A = ½ ∫ [𝑓()] d

Plane area between two polar curves Steps for solving the area of the region enclosed
• Given the polar region bounded by r1 = f(), r2 = g(), line =  and by polar curve(s):
line = as shown in the figure below. The area of the region in Fig.1
(shaded) is given by the formula below:
• Make a table of values for  and r. Plot the points in the polar
coordinate system and sketch the graph of the function(s).
Fig. 1
• Identify the f() and g() as well as the limits  and  needed
to create the area formula in the form of integral.
A = ½ ∫ [𝑟2 −𝑟1 ]d
• Solve the integral using appropriate formula or method and
find the area.
Or A = ½ ∫ [[𝑓()] −[𝑔()] ]d
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Example 1: Find the area of the region bounded Ex.1) continuation…


by polar curve 𝑟 = 2𝑠𝑖𝑛.
/2 axis
A = 2 ∫ 𝑠𝑖𝑛 d = 2 ∫ − 𝑐𝑜𝑠2 d
• Solution: Make a table of values for the curve

 0 /6 /4 /3 /2 2/3 3/4 5/6 
= ∫ (1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠2)d
sin 0 1/2 1 0 Polar

       
2/2 3/2 3/2 2/2 1/2
axis
r =2sin 0 1 2 1 0
=  − 𝑠𝑖𝑛2
       
2 3 3 2

f() = r = 2𝑠𝑖𝑛
= ( − 𝑠𝑖𝑛2)− (0 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛2(0))
Limits:  = 0 ,  = 
 
Working formula: A = ∫ (2𝑠𝑖𝑛) d = ∫ 𝑠𝑖𝑛 d  A =  sq.units

Example 2: Find the area of the region bounded Ex.2) continuation…

by polar curve 𝑟 = 2 + 2𝑐𝑜𝑠.  
A = ∫ (2 + 2𝑐𝑜𝑠) d = 4∫ (1 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠) d
• Solution: Table of values for the curve (cardioid)

= 4 ∫ (1 + 2𝑐𝑜𝑠 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠 )d
 0 /6 /4 /3 /2 2/3 3/4 5/6  Polar
Cos() 1  
3/2
 
2/2 1/2 0 -1/2  
− 2/2
 
- 3/2 -1 axis 
r 4 2+ 3
 
2+ 2
 
3 2 1 2- 2
 
2- 3
 
0 = 4 ∫ (1 + 2𝑐𝑜𝑠 + + 𝑐𝑜𝑠2)d
f() = 2 + 2𝑐𝑜𝑠 
= 4 ∫ ( + 2𝑐𝑜𝑠 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠2)d
Limits:  = 0 ,  =  (half, since curve is symmetric w.r.t. polar axis)
  
Working formula: A = 2∫ (2 + 2𝑐𝑜𝑠) d = ∫ (2 + 2𝑐𝑜𝑠) d =4  + 2𝑠𝑖𝑛 +  𝑠𝑖𝑛2
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Ex.2) continuation 2… Example 3: Find the area of the region inside the circle
 𝑟 = 3 sin  and outside limacon 𝑟 = 2 − sin .
A=4  + 2𝑠𝑖𝑛 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛2
• Solution: Make a table of values for the polar curves
 0 /6 /4 /3 /2 2/3 3/4 5/6 

= 4  + 2𝑠𝑖𝑛 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 - 4 (0) + 2sin(0) + 𝑠𝑖𝑛2(0) sin 0 1/2 1 0

       
2/2 3/2 3/2 2/2 1/2

r =3sin 0 3/2 3 2/2

 
3 3/2
 
3  
3 3/2 3 3/2
 
3/2 0

 0 /6 /4 /3 /2 2/3 3/4 5/6 

=4 +0+0 −0 sin 0 1/2  

2/2
 
3/2 1  
3/2
 
2/2 1/2 0

r =2-sin 2 1.5 1.29 1.13 1 1.13 1.29 1.5 2

 A = 6 sq. units f() = 3𝑠𝑖𝑛 ; g() = 2 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛

Limits:  = /6 ,  = /2 (half, symmetry)
/2
Working formula: A = 2∫/6 [(3𝑠𝑖𝑛) − (2 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛) ]d

Ex.3) continuation… Ex.3) continuation…

/ /
A =∫/ [(3𝑠𝑖𝑛) − (2 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛) ] d A = −2𝑠𝑖𝑛2 − 4𝑐𝑜𝑠 /
/
= ∫/ [9𝑠𝑖𝑛  − (4 − 4𝑠𝑖𝑛 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛 )]d = −2𝑠𝑖𝑛2/2 − 4𝑐𝑜𝑠/2 − −2𝑠𝑖𝑛2/6 − 4𝑐𝑜𝑠/6
/
= ∫/ [8𝑠𝑖𝑛  + 4𝑠𝑖𝑛 − 4]d = −2𝑠𝑖𝑛 − 4𝑐𝑜𝑠/2 − −2𝑠𝑖𝑛/3 − 4𝑐𝑜𝑠/6
/    
= ∫/ [8 (1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠2) + 4𝑠𝑖𝑛 − 4]d = 0 − −2 −4

/ /  A = 3 3 sq. units
 
= −4 ∫/ 𝑐𝑜𝑠2d + 4 ∫/ 𝑠𝑖𝑛 d
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Exercises: (a) Find the area of the region bounded by

following polar curves. (b) Draw the figure showing the
region.
1. r = 3 cos 

2. r = 1 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛 

3. The intersection of r = 2 and r = 3 − 2𝑐𝑜𝑠 