Section 10.

8 • Graphs of Polar Equations 183

Name______________________________________________
Section 10.8 Graphs of Polar Equations

Objective: In this lesson you learned how to graph polar equations.

I. Introduction (Page 785) What you should learn

How to graph polar
Example 1: Use point plotting to sketch the graph of the polar equations by point
equation r = 3 cos θ . plotting
π/2
y

π x0

3π/2

II. Symmetry (Pages 786−787) What you should learn

How to use symmetry to
The graph of a polar equation is symmetric with respect to the sketch graphs of polar
following if the given substitution yields an equivalent equation. equations
Substitution
1) The line θ = π/2: Replace (r, θ) by (r, π − θ) or (− r, − θ)

2) The polar axis: Replace (r, θ) by (r, − θ) or (− r, π − θ)

3) The pole: Replace (r, θ) by (r, π + θ) or (− r, θ)

Example 2: Describe the symmetry of the polar equation

r = 2(1 − sin θ ) .
Symmetric with respect to the line θ = π/2

III. Zeros and Maximum r-Values (Pages 787−788) What you should learn
How to use zeros and
Two additional aids to sketching graphs of polar equations are . . . maximum r-values to
knowing the θ-values for which | r | is maximum and knowing sketch graphs of polar
equations
the θ-values for which r = 0.

Larson/Hostetler Precalculus/Precalculus with Limits Notetaking Guide IAE

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
184 Chapter 10 • Topics in Analytic Geometry

Example 3: Describe the zeros and maximum r-values of the

polar equation r = 5 cos 2θ

The maximum value of | r | is | r | = 5 when θ = 0,

π/2, π, 3π/2; the zeros of r occur at θ = π/4, 3π/4,
5π/4, 7π/4

IV. Special Polar Graphs (Pages 789−790) What you should learn
How to recognize special
List the general equations that yield each of the following types polar graphs
of special polar graphs:

Limaçons: r = a ± b cos θ, r = a ± b sin θ, a > 0, b > 0

Rose curves: r = a cos nθ, r = a sin nθ, n ≥ 2; n petals if n is odd; 2n petals if n is even

Circles: r = a cos θ, r = a sin θ

Lemniscates: r2 = a2 sin 2θ; r2 = a2 cos 2θ

π/2
y π/2
y π/2
y

π x0 π x0 π x0

3π/2 3π/2 3π/2

π/2
y π/2
y π/2
y

π x0 π x0 π x0

3π/2 3π/2 3π/2

Homework Assignment

Page(s)

Exercises

Larson/Hostetler Precalculus/Precalculus with Limits Notetaking Guide IAE

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.