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How are the polar axes different from the x - and y -axes of the Cartesian plane?

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Explain how polar coordinates are graphed.

Determine θ for the point, then move r units from the pole to plot the point. If r is negative, move r units from the pole in the opposite direction but along the same angle. The point is a distance of r away from the origin at an angle of θ from the polar axis.

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How are the points ( 3 , π 2 ) and ( 3 , π 2 ) related?

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Explain why the points ( 3 , π 2 ) and ( 3 , π 2 ) are the same.

The point ( 3 , π 2 ) has a positive angle but a negative radius and is plotted by moving to an angle of π 2 and then moving 3 units in the negative direction. This places the point 3 units down the negative y -axis. The point ( 3 , π 2 ) has a negative angle and a positive radius and is plotted by first moving to an angle of π 2 and then moving 3 units down, which is the positive direction for a negative angle. The point is also 3 units down the negative y -axis.

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Algebraic

For the following exercises, convert the given polar coordinates to Cartesian coordinates with r > 0 and 0 θ 2 π . Remember to consider the quadrant in which the given point is located when determining θ for the point.

( 5 , π )

( 5 , 0 )

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( 3 , π 6 )

( 3 3 2 , 3 2 )

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For the following exercises, convert the given Cartesian coordinates to polar coordinates with r > 0 , 0 θ < 2 π . Remember to consider the quadrant in which the given point is located.

( 4 , 2 )

( 2 5 ,   0.464 )

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( 3 , −5 )

( 34 , 5.253 )

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( 8 , 8 )

( 8 2 , π 4 )

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For the following exercises, convert the given Cartesian equation to a polar equation.

y = 2 x 4

r = s i n θ 2 c o s 4 θ 3

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x 2 + y 2 = 3 x

r = 3 cos θ

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x 2 y 2 = 3 y

r = 3 sin θ cos ( 2 θ )

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x 2 = 9 y

r = 9 sin θ cos 2 θ

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9 x y = 1

r = 1 9 cos θ sin θ

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For the following exercises, convert the given polar equation to a Cartesian equation. Write in the standard form of a conic if possible, and identify the conic section represented.

r = 4 cos θ

x 2 + y 2 = 4 x or ( x 2 ) 2 4 + y 2 4 = 1 ; circle

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r = 4 sin θ + 7 cos θ

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r = 6 cos θ + 3 sin θ

3 y + x = 6 ; line

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r = 3 csc θ

y = 3 ; line

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r 2 = 4 sec θ csc θ

x y = 4 ; hyperbola

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r 2 = 4

x 2 + y 2 = 4 ; circle

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r = 1 4 cos θ 3 sin θ

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r = 3 cos θ 5 sin θ

x 5 y = 3 ; line

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Graphical

For the following exercises, find the polar coordinates of the point.

For the following exercises, plot the points.

For the following exercises, convert the equation from rectangular to polar form and graph on the polar axis.

5 x y = 6

r = 6 5 cos θ sin θ

Plot of given line in the polar coordinate grid
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x 2 + ( y 1 ) 2 = 1

r = 2 sin θ

Plot of given circle in the polar coordinate grid
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( x + 2 ) 2 + ( y + 3 ) 2 = 13

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x 2 + y 2 = 3 x

r = 3 cos θ

Plot of given circle in the polar coordinate grid.
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For the following exercises, convert the equation from polar to rectangular form and graph on the rectangular plane.

r = 4

x 2 + y 2 = 16

Plot of circle with radius 4 centered at the origin in the rectangular coordinates grid.
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r = −10 sin θ

x 2 + ( y + 5 ) 2 = 25

Plot of circle with radius 5 centered at (0,-5).
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Technology

Use a graphing calculator to find the rectangular coordinates of ( 2 , π 5 ) . Round to the nearest thousandth.

( 1.618 , 1.176 )

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Use a graphing calculator to find the rectangular coordinates of ( 3 , 3 π 7 ) . Round to the nearest thousandth.

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Use a graphing calculator to find the polar coordinates of ( 7 , 8 ) in degrees. Round to the nearest thousandth.

( 10.630 , 131.186° )

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Use a graphing calculator to find the polar coordinates of ( 3 , 4 ) in degrees. Round to the nearest hundredth.

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Use a graphing calculator to find the polar coordinates of ( 2 , 0 ) in radians. Round to the nearest hundredth.

( 2 , 3.14 ) o r ( 2 , π )

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Extensions

Describe the graph of r = a sec θ ; a > 0.

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Describe the graph of r = a sec θ ; a < 0.

A vertical line with a units left of the y -axis. 

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Describe the graph of r = a csc θ ; a > 0.

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Describe the graph of r = a csc θ ; a < 0.

A horizontal line with a units below the x -axis.

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What polar equations will give an oblique line?

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For the following exercise, graph the polar inequality.

θ = π 4 , r 2

Graph of ray starting at (2, pi/4) and extending in a positive direction along pi/4 - polar coordinate grid.
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θ = π 4 , r −3

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0 θ π 3 , r < 2

Graph of the shaded region 0 to pi/3 from r=0 to 2 with the edge not included (dotted line) - polar coordinate grid
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π 6 < θ π 3 , 3 < r < 2

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Practice Key Terms 3

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Source:  OpenStax, Precalculus. OpenStax CNX. Jan 19, 2016 Download for free at https://legacy.cnx.org/content/col11667/1.6
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