When trying to figure out the graphs of polar equations we

can convert them to rectangular equations particularly if

we recognize the graph in rectangular coordinates.

r  7 We could square both sides

r  49
2

Now use our conversion:

r 2  x2  y 2
x 2  y 2  49
We recognize this as a circle
with center at (0, 0) and a
radius of 7.

On polar graph paper it will centered at the origin and out 7

Let's try another: 
 Take the tangent of both sides
3
 
To graph on a polar plot

tan   tan    3 we'd go to where  
3 and make a line. 3
Now use our conversion:
y
tan  
x
y
 3 Multiply both
sides by x
x

y  3x
We recognize this as a line with slope square root of 3.
 Let's try another: r sin   5

Now use our conversion: y  r sin 

y  5

We recognize this as a
horizontal line 5 units below
the origin (or on a polar plot
below the pole)
Sometimes converting to rectangular equations doesn't
help us figure out what the graph would look like or it is
not necessary.
The only way we know how to
r  1 sin  convert is if there is an r in front of
the sin  term so we'll multiply both
sides by r.
r  r  r sin 
2

Now use our conversions:

r x y
2 2 2
r x y 2 2 y  r sin 
I still don't
x y  x y y
2 2 2 2
 know what the
graph looks
In these cases we'll plot points, choosing like!
a  from the polar form and finding a
corresponding r value.
 Before we do this, if we knew something about the
symmetry of the graph we may not have to find as many
points. TESTS FOR SYMMETRY
These tests are sufficient but not necessary so if test fails you don't know anything.

Symmetry with (r, ) Replace  by - 

Respect to the Polar and if you get
Axis (x axis) original equation
(r, -)
back

Symmetry with (r, -) (r, ) Replace  by  - 

Respect to the Line and if you get
 = /2 (y axis) original equation
back

Symmetry with (r, ) Replace r by - r

Respect to the Pole and if you get
(Origin) original equation
(- r, ) back
 Let's test for symmetry r  1 sin 
r  1  sin   
FAILS
Polar Axis: r  1 sin 
Line  = /2: r  1  sin     Use the difference formula

r  1  sin  cos  cos  sin   r  1 sin 

0 -1 This IS the original equation!

Pole:  r  1 sin  So this graph is symmetric

with respect to the line  = /2
Not the original equation.
(y axis). We will only need to
choose 's on the right side of
the graph then and we can use
symmetry to get the other half.
 This type of graph is called a
 r  1 sin 
cardioid.

 1  1  2
2
  3
 1      1.87

3  2 
  1
 1      1.5
6  2
0 1 0  1
 1 1
1 
6 2 2
 3
3 1  0.13
2
 Let's let each unit be 1/4.
2 1 1  0 Let's plot the symmetric points
Equations of carioids would look like one of the following:

r = a(1 + cos) r = a(1 + sin)

r = a(1 - cos) r = a(1 - sin)
where a > 0

All graphs of cardioids pass through the pole.

Let's try another: r  3 2 cos
YES!
Let's test for symmetry
Polar Axis: r  3  2 cos   r  3 2 cos
Line  = /2: r  3  2 cos    Use the difference formula
r  3  2cos  cos  sin  sin   r  3 2 cos
-1 0 Not the original equation

Pole:  r  3 2 cos So this graph is symmetric

Not the original equation.
with respect to the polar axis
(x axis). We will only need to
choose 's on the top half of
the graph then and we can use
symmetry to get the other half.
 This type of graph is called a
 r  3 2 cos limacon without an inner loop.
0 3  21  5
  3
6 3  2   4.73

 2 
 1
3 3  2   4
2

3  20  3
2
2  1
3  2    2
3  2
5  3
6 3  2    1.27

 2  Let's let each unit be 1.
 3  21  1
Let's plot the symmetric points
Equations of limacons without inner loops would look like
one of the following:

r = a +b cos r = a +b sin
r = a - b cos r = a - b sin
where a > 0, b > 0, and a > b

These graphs DO NOT pass through the pole.

Let's try another: r  1 2 cos
YES!
Let's test for symmetry
Polar Axis: r  1  2 cos   r  1 2 cos
Line  = /2: r  1  2 cos    Use the difference formula
r  1  2cos  cos  sin  sin   r  1 2 cos
-1 0 Not the original equation

Pole:  r  1 2 cos So this graph is symmetric

Not the original equation.
with respect to the polar axis
(x axis). We will only need to
choose 's on the top half of
the graph then and we can use
symmetry to get the other half.
 This type of graph is called a
 r  1 2 cos limacon with an inner loop.
0 1  21  3
  3
1  2    2.73
6  2 
 
 1
3 1  2 2   2

1  20  1
2
2 1  2  1   0
 
3  2
5  3
1  2    0.73
6  2 
  Let's let each unit be 1/2.
 1  21  1
Let's plot the symmetric points
Equations of limacons with inner loops would look like
one of the following:

r = a +b cos r = a +b sin
r = a - b cos r = a - b sin
where a > 0, b > 0, and a < b

These graphs will pass through the pole twice.

 Let's try another: r  2 cos2 

Let's test for symmetry YES!

Polar Axis: r  2 cos2   r  2 cos2 
Line  = /2: r  2 cos2     2 cos2  2 

cos is periodic so can drop the 2

r  2 cos 2   2 cos2 
YES!

Pole: So this graph is symmetric

Since graph is symmetric with respect to the pole, the
to both the polar axis and polar axis and the line  = /2.
the line  = /2 it will also We will only need to choose
be with respect to the pole. 's between 0 and /2.
 r  2 cos2 
This type of graph is called a rose
 with 4 petals.
0 21  2
 1
6 2   1
2

4 20  0
  1
2    1
3  2

2 21  2

Let's let each unit be 1/2.

Let's plot the symmetric points

Equations of rose curves would look like one of the
following:

r = a cos(n) r = a sin(n)
Where n even has 2n petals and
n odd has n petals
(n  0 or  1)
Let's try another: r 2  4 sin 2 

Let's test for symmetry FAILS

Polar Axis: r  4 sin 2  

2
r 2  4 sin 2 
Line  = /2: r 2  4 sin 2     4 sin 2  2 

sin is periodic so can drop the 2

r 2  4 sin  2   2 sin 2  FAILS

Pole:  r  2
 4 sin 2 
r  4 sin 2 
2
So this graph is symmetric
with respect to the pole.
 r  4 sin 2  r
This type of graph is called a
 2
lemniscate
0 40  0 0
  3
6 4   2 3  1.9

 2 

4 41  4 2
  3
4   2 3  1.9

3  2 

2 40  0 0

Let's let each unit be 1/4.

Equations of lemniscates would look like one of the
following:

r2 = a2 cos(2) r2 = a2 sin(2)

These graphs will pass through the pole and are

propeller shaped.
 Table 7 in your book on page 732
summarizes all of the polar graphs.

You can graph these on your calculator. You'll need to

change to polar mode and also you must be in radians.

If you are in polar function mode when you hit your

button to enter a graph you should see r1 instead of y1.
Your variable button should now put in  on TI-83's and
it should be a menu choice in 85's & 86's.
 Rose with 7 petals made
Limacon With Inner Loop
with graphing program on
made with TI Calculator
computer

Have fun plotting pretty pictures!

Acknowledgement

I wish to thank Shawna Haider from Salt Lake Community College, Utah
USA for her hard work in creating this PowerPoint.

www.slcc.edu

Shawna has kindly given permission for this resource to be downloaded

from www.mathxtc.com and for it to be modified to suit the Western
Australian Mathematics Curriculum.

Stephen Corcoran
Head of Mathematics
St Stephen’s School – Carramar
www.ststephens.wa.edu.au