Mathematics I

Chapter 11

Dr. Devendra Kumar

Department of Mathematics
Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani
20152016
Devendra Kumar

BITS, Pilani

Mathematics I

CHAPTER 11
Conic Sections and Polar
Coordinates
Devendra Kumar

BITS, Pilani

Mathematics I

In this Chapter, we will be discussing the following

topics:
1 Polar Coordinates

Devendra Kumar

BITS, Pilani

Mathematics I

In this Chapter, we will be discussing the following

topics:
1 Polar Coordinates
2 Curve Tracing

Devendra Kumar

BITS, Pilani

Mathematics I

In this Chapter, we will be discussing the following

topics:
1 Polar Coordinates
2 Curve Tracing
3 Faster Graphing

Devendra Kumar

BITS, Pilani

Mathematics I

In this Chapter, we will be discussing the following

topics:
1 Polar Coordinates
2 Curve Tracing
3 Faster Graphing
4 Areas and Lengths of the Curves

Devendra Kumar

BITS, Pilani

Mathematics I

In this Chapter, we will be discussing the following

topics:
1 Polar Coordinates
2 Curve Tracing
3 Faster Graphing
4 Areas and Lengths of the Curves
5 Conic Sections

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BITS, Pilani

Mathematics I

Section 11.3
Polar Coordinates
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What are cartesian coordinates of a point in the

plane?

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Mathematics I

What are cartesian coordinates of a point in the

plane?
What are polar coordinates of a point in the plane?

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Mathematics I

Cartesian Coordinates
To define cartesian coordinates in a plane, we start
with two perpendicular lines (called x-axis and
y-axis respectively).

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Polar Coordinates
To define polar coordinates in a plane, we start with
an origin (called the pole) and an initial ray.

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Figure: is the angle made by the ray OP with initial ray and
r is the distance of P from O along ray OP .

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Mathematics I

Polar Coordinates Can Have Negative r Values

We extend the meaning of polar coordinates ( r, ) in
the case in which r is negative by agreeing that the
points ( r, ) and ( r, ) lie on the same line through
the pole O and at the distance |r | form O , but on
opposite sides of O .

Devendra Kumar

BITS, Pilani

Mathematics I

Polar Coordinates Can Have Negative r Values

We extend the meaning of polar coordinates ( r, ) in
the case in which r is negative by agreeing that the
points ( r, ) and ( r, ) lie on the same line through
the pole O and at the distance |r | form O , but on
opposite sides of O .
If r > 0, the point ( r, ) is in the same quadrant as
.

Devendra Kumar

BITS, Pilani

Mathematics I

Polar Coordinates Can Have Negative r Values

We extend the meaning of polar coordinates ( r, ) in
the case in which r is negative by agreeing that the
points ( r, ) and ( r, ) lie on the same line through
the pole O and at the distance |r | form O , but on
opposite sides of O .
If r > 0, the point ( r, ) is in the same quadrant as
.
If r < 0, the point ( r, ) is in the quadrant opposite
of the angle , i.e., opposite of pole.
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BITS, Pilani

Mathematics I

Remarks.
We have the convention that an angle is positive if
it is measured in counterclockwise (anti clock
wise) direction and negative in clockwise
direction.

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BITS, Pilani

Mathematics I

Remarks.
We have the convention that an angle is positive if
it is measured in counterclockwise (anti clock
wise) direction and negative in clockwise
direction.
If P O , then r = 0 and we agree that (0, )
represents pole for any value of .

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BITS, Pilani

Mathematics I

The Point ( r, ) Has Infinitely Many Polar

Coordinate Pairs

The different polar coordinates of a point ( r, ) are:

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BITS, Pilani

Mathematics I

The Point ( r, ) Has Infinitely Many Polar

Coordinate Pairs

The different polar coordinates of a point ( r, ) are:

( r, + 2 n), n = 0, 1, 2, . . . . . .

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BITS, Pilani

Mathematics I

The Point ( r, ) Has Infinitely Many Polar

Coordinate Pairs

The different polar coordinates of a point ( r, ) are:

( r, + 2 n), n = 0, 1, 2, . . . . . .
( r, + (2 n + 1)), n = 0, 1, 2, . . . . . ..

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Mathematics I

The Point ( r, ) Has Infinitely Many Polar

Coordinate Pairs

The different polar coordinates of a point ( r, ) are:

( r, + 2 n), n = 0, 1, 2, . . . . . .
( r, + (2 n + 1)), n = 0, 1, 2, . . . . . ..
(0, 0) = (0, ), for all .

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Figure: The point 2, 6 has infinitely many polar coordinate

pairs

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Remark.
Thus we conclude that there is a unique
representation of a point in cartesian coordinate
system (in the x y plane) while the same point can
have infinitely many representation in polar
coordinate system (in r plane).

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The Polar Equation of a Circle

Figure: r = a is the equation of a circle of radius |a| centered at

O.
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The Polar Equation of a Line

The equation = 0 is the equation of a line through
O and making an angle 0 with the initial ray.

Figure: The line = 0 .

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The Graph of Some Inequalities

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Homework Graph the set of points whose polar

coordinates satisfy given conditions:
r=1
0r1
r1

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Q:14 Graph the set of points whose polar

coordinates satisfy the inequality 1 r 2.

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Q:14 Graph the set of points whose polar

coordinates satisfy the inequality 1 r 2.
Sol.

Figure: A finite region: An annulus

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Homework Graph the set of points whose polar

coordinates satisfy the inequality:
2 r 1.
1 r 2.
r 1.
r 1.

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Q:15 0 6 , r 0.

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Q:15 0 6 , r 0.
Sol.

Figure: An infinite region

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Q:17 = 3 , 1 r 3.

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Q:17 = 3 , 1 r 3.
Sol.

Figure: A line segment

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Equation Relating Polar and Cartesian Coordinates

Figure: The usual way to relate polar and cartesian

coordinates
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From figure, we have

x = r cos ,

y = r sin ,

on squaring and adding:

x2 + y2 = r 2 ,
on dividing:

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y
= tan1 .
x

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Mathematics I

Q:37 Replace r = sin 52 cos by an equivalent

cartesian equation.

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Mathematics I

Q:37 Replace r = sin 52 cos by an equivalent

cartesian equation.
Sol.
5
r=
sin 2 cos
r sin 2 r cos = 5
y 2 x = 5.

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Mathematics I

Example
Replace r 2 (1 + sin2) = 1 by an equivalent cartesian
equation.

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Mathematics I

Example
Replace r 2 (1 + sin2) = 1 by an equivalent cartesian
equation.
Sol.

r 2 + 2 r 2 sin cos = 1

r 2 + 2( r sin )( r cos ) = 1

x2 + y2 + 2 x y = 1
x + y = 1.

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Q:64 Replace ( x 5)2 + y2 = 25 by an equivalent

polar equation.

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Q:64 Replace ( x 5)2 + y2 = 25 by an equivalent

polar equation.
Sol.
( x 5)2 + y2 = 25

x2 10 x + 25 + y2 = 25
r 2 10 r cos = 0

r = 10 cos .

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BITS, Pilani

Mathematics I

Section 11.4
Graphing in Polar
Coordinates
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Curves in Polar Coordinates

For polar coordinates ( r, ), the equation f ( r, ) = 0
(implicit form) or r = f () (explicit form) defines a
curve C in the plane.

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BITS, Pilani

Mathematics I

Curves in Polar Coordinates

For polar coordinates ( r, ), the equation f ( r, ) = 0
(implicit form) or r = f () (explicit form) defines a
curve C in the plane.
A point P lies on C if and only if for at least one
polar coordinate ( r 0 , 0 ) of P, f ( r 0 , 0 ) = 0.

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BITS, Pilani

Mathematics I

Symmetry Test

Symmetry about the x-axis: If the point ( r, )

lies on the graph, the point ( r, ) or ( r, )
also lies on the graph.

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BITS, Pilani

Mathematics I

Symmetry Test

Symmetry about the x-axis: If the point ( r, )

lies on the graph, the point ( r, ) or ( r, )
also lies on the graph.
Symmetry about the y-axis: If the point ( r, )
lies on the graph, the point ( r, ) or ( r, )
also lies on the graph.

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BITS, Pilani

Mathematics I

Symmetry about the origin: If the point ( r, )

lies on the graph, the point ( r, ) or ( r, + ) also
lies on the graph.

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Mathematics I

Symmetry about the origin: If the point ( r, )

lies on the graph, the point ( r, ) or ( r, + ) also
lies on the graph.
Symmetry about the line y = x: If the point
(r, ) lies on
the graph, the point r, 2 or

r, 2 also lies on the graph.

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BITS, Pilani

Mathematics I

Figure: Symmetry about x-axis and y-axis

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Figure: Symmetry about the pole and the line y = x

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Mathematics I

Slope of a Polar Curve

The parametric equations of r = f () are
x = r cos , y = r sin .

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Slope of a Polar Curve

The parametric equations of r = f () are
x = r cos , y = r sin .
The slope of the curve r = f () at any point ( r, ) is
given by

dy
d y
f () sin + f () cos
d
=
=
dx (r,) dx
f () cos f () sin
d (r, )

provided

dx
d

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, 0 at any point (r, ).

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Mathematics I

Example
Find the slope of the curve r = 1 + cos at = 2 .

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Example
Find the slope of the curve r = 1 + cos at = 2 .
Sol.

f () sin + f () cos
d y
=
dx
f () cos f () sin
(r, )

sin sin + (1 + cos ) cos

.
sin cos (1 + cos ) sin

Example
Find the slope of the curve r = 1 + cos at = 2 .
Sol.

f () sin + f () cos
d y
=
dx
f () cos f () sin
(r, )

sin sin + (1 + cos ) cos

.
sin cos (1 + cos ) sin

Thus

d y
sin(/2) sin(/2) + (1 + cos(/2)) cos(/2)
=
dx =/2 sin(/2) cos(/2) (1 + cos(/2)) sin(/2)
= 1.
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Mathematics I

Q:1 Trace the curve r = 1 + cos .

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BITS, Pilani

Mathematics I

Q:1 Trace the curve r = 1 + cos .

Sol.
Step 1. Since ( r, ) lies on the curve, so symmetric
about x-axis. So enough to consider the steps
for 0 . (Note that it is not symmetrical
about others).

Devendra Kumar

BITS, Pilani

Mathematics I

Q:1 Trace the curve r = 1 + cos .

Sol.
Step 1. Since ( r, ) lies on the curve, so symmetric
about x-axis. So enough to consider the steps
for 0 . (Note that it is not symmetrical
about others).
Step 2. r = 0 gives cos = 1 so that = . Thus
= is tangent to the curve at pole.

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BITS, Pilani

Mathematics I

Step 3.

dr
d

= sin .

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Step 3.

dr
d
dr
d

= sin .
> 0 sin < 0, thus no value of .

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Mathematics I

Step 3.




dr
d
dr
d
dr
d

= sin .
> 0 sin < 0, thus no value of .

< 0 sin > 0 0 < < , thus r

decreases in the interval [0, ].

Devendra Kumar

BITS, Pilani

Mathematics I

Step 3.




dr
d
dr
d
dr
d

= sin .
> 0 sin < 0, thus no value of .

< 0 sin > 0 0 < < , thus r

decreases in the interval [0, ].

Clearly max r = 2 at = 0 and min r = 0 at

= .

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BITS, Pilani

Mathematics I

Step 3.




Step 4.

dr
d
dr
d
dr
d

= sin .
> 0 sin < 0, thus no value of .

< 0 sin > 0 0 < < , thus r

decreases in the interval [0, ].

Clearly max r = 2 at = 0 and min r = 0 at

= .

d y
= ,
dx =0

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d y
= 1.
dx = 2
Mathematics I

Step 5. Table vs r :

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0
2

1+

p1
2

3
3
2

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2
3
1
2

3
4
1 p1
2

Mathematics I

Figure: r = 1 + cos : The cardioid

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Mathematics I

Q:22 Trace the curve r = 1 cos .

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Mathematics I

Q:22 Trace the curve r = 1 cos .

Sol. We can write r = 1 cos = 1 + cos( ()).
Thus the curve r = 1 cos is obtained replacing by
in r = 1 + cos . Therefore just rotate the curve
of r = 1 + cos by an angle .

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BITS, Pilani

Mathematics I

Figure: r = 1 cos : The cardioid

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Mathematics I

Q:3 Trace the curve r = 1 sin .

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Mathematics I

Q:3 Trace the curve r = 1 sin .

Sol. We can write r = 1 sin = 1 + cos 2 .
Thus the curve r = 1 sin is obtained rotating
r = 1 + cos by an angle 2 .

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Mathematics I

Q:3 Trace the curve r = 1 sin .

Sol. We can write r = 1 sin = 1 + cos 2 .
Thus the curve r = 1 sin is obtained rotating
r = 1 + cos by an angle 2 .

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Mathematics I

Q:20 Trace the curve r = cos 2.

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Q:20 Trace the curve r = cos 2.

Sol.
Step 1. 1 Since ( r, ) lies on the curve, so
symmetric about x-axis.

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Q:20 Trace the curve r = cos 2.

Sol.
Step 1. 1 Since ( r, ) lies on the curve, so
symmetric about x-axis.
2 Since ( r, ) lies on the curve, so
symmetric about y-axis.

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Mathematics I

Q:20 Trace the curve r = cos 2.

Sol.
Step 1. 1 Since ( r, ) lies on the curve, so
symmetric about x-axis.
2 Since ( r, ) lies on the curve, so
symmetric about y-axis.

3 Since ( r,
2 ) lies on the curve, so
symmetric about the line y = x.

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BITS, Pilani

Mathematics I

Q:20 Trace the curve r = cos 2.

Sol.
Step 1. 1 Since ( r, ) lies on the curve, so
symmetric about x-axis.
2 Since ( r, ) lies on the curve, so
symmetric about y-axis.

3 Since ( r,
2 ) lies on the curve, so
symmetric about the line y = x.
So enough to consider the steps in the region
0 4 .
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Step 2. r = 0 gives cos 2 = 0 so that = 4 . Thus

= 4 is tangent to the curve at pole.

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Step 2. r = 0 gives cos 2 = 0 so that = 4 . Thus

= 4 is tangent to the curve at pole.
Step 3.

dr
d

= 2 sin 2.

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Mathematics I

Step 2. r = 0 gives cos 2 = 0 so that = 4 . Thus

= 4 is tangent to the curve at pole.
Step 3.

dr
d
dr
d

= 2 sin 2.

> 0 sin 2 < 0, thus no value of .

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BITS, Pilani

Mathematics I

Step 2. r = 0 gives cos 2 = 0 so that = 4 . Thus

= 4 is tangent to the curve at pole.
Step 3.




dr
d
dr
d
dr
d

= 2 sin 2.

> 0 sin 2 < 0, thus no value of .

< 0 sin 2 > 0 0 < < 2 , thus r

decreases in the interval 0, 4 .

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BITS, Pilani

Mathematics I

Step 2. r = 0 gives cos 2 = 0 so that = 4 . Thus

= 4 is tangent to the curve at pole.
Step 3.




dr
d
dr
d
dr
d

= 2 sin 2.

> 0 sin 2 < 0, thus no value of .

< 0 sin 2 > 0 0 < < 2 , thus r

decreases in the interval 0, 4 .

Clearly Max r = 1 at = 0 and min r = 0 at

= 4 .
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Mathematics I

Step 4.

d y
= .
dx =0
Thus the tangent to the curve at = 0 is
perpendicular to x-axis.

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Step 4.

d y
= .
dx =0
Thus the tangent to the curve at = 0 is
perpendicular to x-axis.
Step 5. Table

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0
1

12

0.86

0.5

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Mathematics I

Figure: r = cos2 : Four leaved rose

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Mathematics I