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Graphing a hyperbola in polar form

Graph r = 8 2 3   sin   θ .

First, we rewrite the conic in standard form by multiplying the numerator and denominator by the reciprocal of 2, which is 1 2 .

r = 8 2 3 sin   θ = 8 ( 1 2 ) 2 ( 1 2 ) 3 ( 1 2 ) sin   θ r = 4 1 3 2   sin   θ

Because e = 3 2 , e > 1 , so we will graph a hyperbola    with a focus at the origin. The function has a sin   θ term and there is a subtraction sign in the denominator, so the directrix is y = p .

       4 = e p        4 = ( 3 2 ) p 4 ( 2 3 ) = p       8 3 = p

The directrix is y = 8 3 .

Plotting a few key points as in [link] will enable us to see the vertices. See [link] .

A B C D
θ 0 π 2 π 3 π 2
r = 8 2 3 sin θ 4 8 4 8 5 = 1.6
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Graphing an ellipse in polar form

Graph r = 10 5 4   cos   θ .

First, we rewrite the conic in standard form by multiplying the numerator and denominator by the reciprocal of 5, which is 1 5 .

r = 10 5 4 cos   θ = 10 ( 1 5 ) 5 ( 1 5 ) 4 ( 1 5 ) cos   θ r = 2 1 4 5   cos   θ

Because e = 4 5 , e < 1 , so we will graph an ellipse    with a focus at the origin. The function has a cos θ , and there is a subtraction sign in the denominator, so the directrix    is x = p .

       2 = e p        2 = ( 4 5 ) p 2 ( 5 4 ) = p       5 2 = p

The directrix is x = 5 2 .

Plotting a few key points as in [link] will enable us to see the vertices. See [link] .

A B C D
θ 0 π 2 π 3 π 2
r = 10 5 4   cos   θ 10 2 10 9 1.1 2
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Graph r = 2 4 cos   θ .

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Defining conics in terms of a focus and a directrix

So far we have been using polar equations of conics to describe and graph the curve. Now we will work in reverse; we will use information about the origin, eccentricity, and directrix to determine the polar equation.

Given the focus, eccentricity, and directrix of a conic, determine the polar equation.

  1. Determine whether the directrix is horizontal or vertical. If the directrix is given in terms of y , we use the general polar form in terms of sine. If the directrix is given in terms of x , we use the general polar form in terms of cosine.
  2. Determine the sign in the denominator. If p < 0 , use subtraction. If p > 0 , use addition.
  3. Write the coefficient of the trigonometric function as the given eccentricity.
  4. Write the absolute value of p in the numerator, and simplify the equation.

Finding the polar form of a vertical conic given a focus at the origin and the eccentricity and directrix

Find the polar form of the conic given a focus at the origin, e = 3 and directrix     y = 2.

The directrix is y = p , so we know the trigonometric function in the denominator is sine.

Because y = −2 , –2 < 0 , so we know there is a subtraction sign in the denominator. We use the standard form of

r = e p 1 e   sin   θ

and e = 3 and | −2 | = 2 = p .

Therefore,

r = ( 3 ) ( 2 ) 1 3   sin   θ r = 6 1 3   sin   θ
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Finding the polar form of a horizontal conic given a focus at the origin and the eccentricity and directrix

Find the polar form of a conic given a focus at the origin, e = 3 5 , and directrix     x = 4.

Because the directrix is x = p , we know the function in the denominator is cosine. Because x = 4 , 4 > 0 , so we know there is an addition sign in the denominator. We use the standard form of

r = e p 1 + e   cos   θ

and e = 3 5 and | 4 | = 4 = p .

Therefore,

r = ( 3 5 ) ( 4 ) 1 + 3 5 cos θ r = 12 5 1 + 3 5 cos θ r = 12 5 1 ( 5 5 ) + 3 5 cos θ r = 12 5 5 5 + 3 5 cos θ r = 12 5 5 5 + 3 cos θ r = 12 5 + 3 cos θ
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Find the polar form of the conic given a focus at the origin, e = 1 , and directrix x = −1.

r = 1 1 cos θ

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Questions & Answers

how does the planets on our solar system orbit
cheten Reply
how many Messier objects are there in space
satish Reply
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Richard Reply
what are astronomy
Issan Reply
Astronomy (from Ancient Greek ἀστρονομία (astronomía) 'science that studies the laws of the stars') is a natural science that studies celestial objects and phenomena. It uses mathematics, physics, and chemistry in order to explain their origin and evolution.
Rafael
vjuvu
Elgoog
what is big bang theory?
Rosemary
what type of activity astronomer do?
Rosemary
No
Richard
the big bang theory is a theory which states that all matter was compressed together in one place the matter got so unstable it exploded releasing All its contents in the form of hydrogen
Roaul
I want to be an astronomer. That's my dream
Astrit
Who named the the whole galaxy?
Shola Reply
solar Univers
GPOWER
what is space
Richard
what is the dark matter
Richard
what are the factors upon which the atmosphere is stratified
Nicholas Reply
is the big bang the sun
Folakemi Reply
no
Sokak
bigbang is the beginning of the universe
Sokak
but thats just a theory
Sokak
nothing will happen, don't worry brother.
Vansh
what does comet means
GANGAIN Reply
these are Rocky substances between mars and jupiter
GANGAIN
Comets are cosmic snowballs of frozen gases , rock and dust that orbit the sun. They are mostly found between the orbits of Venus and Mercury.
Aarya
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John
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John
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John
r u there
John
hey can anyone guide me abt international astronomy olympiad
sahil
how can we learn right and true ?
Govinda Reply
why the moon is always appear in an elliptical shape
Gatjuol Reply
Because when astroid hit the Earth then a piece of elliptical shape of the earth was separated which is now called moon.
Hemen
what's see level?
lidiya Reply
Did you mean eye sight or sea level
Minal
oh sorry it's sea level
lidiya
according to the theory of astronomers why the moon is always appear in an elliptical orbit?
Gatjuol
hi !!! I am new in astronomy.... I have so many questions in mind .... all of scientists of the word they just give opinion only. but they never think true or false ... i respect all of them... I believes whole universe depending on true ...থিউরি
Govinda
hello
Jackson
hi
Elyana
we're all stars and galaxies a part of sun. how can science prove thx with respect old ancient times picture or books..or anything with respect to present time .but we r a part of that universe
w astronomy and cosmology!
Michele
another theory of universe except big ban
Albash Reply
how was universe born
Asmit Reply
there many theory to born universe but what is the reality of big bang theory to born universe
Asmit
what is the exact value of π?
Nagalakshmi
by big bang
universal
there are many theories regarding this it's on you believe any theory that you think is true ex. eternal inflation theory, oscillation model theory, multiple universe theory the big bang theory etc.
Aarya
I think after Big Bang!
Michele
from where on earth could u observe all the stars during the during the course of an year
Karuna Reply
I think it couldn't possible on earth
Nagalakshmi
in this time i don't Know
Michele
is that so. the question was in the end of this chapter
Karuna
in theory, you could see them all from the equator (though over the course of a year, not at pne time). stars are measured in "declination", which is how far N or S of the equator (90* to -90*). Polaris is the North star, and is ALMOST 90* (+89*). So it would just barely creep over the horizon.
Christopher
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Source:  OpenStax, College algebra. OpenStax CNX. Feb 06, 2015 Download for free at https://legacy.cnx.org/content/col11759/1.3
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