Scribd
Upload
30 views4 pages

Review of Polar Graphing: Petal Graphs

The document provides an overview of polar graphing, detailing the differences between polar coordinates and rectangular graphs. It covers three main types of graphs: petal graphs, limacons, and lemniscates, including how to graph each type by hand with examples. Key characteristics such as orientation, intercepts, and shapes are explained for each graph type.

Uploaded by

Shankar Sanyal
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
30 views4 pages

Review of Polar Graphing: Petal Graphs

The document provides an overview of polar graphing, detailing the differences between polar coordinates and rectangular graphs. It covers three main types of graphs: petal graphs, limacons, and lemniscates, including how to graph each type by hand with examples. Key characteristics such as orientation, intercepts, and shapes are explained for each graph type.

Uploaded by

Shankar Sanyal
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 4

Review of Polar Graphing

Polar coordinates are based on the ordered pair instead of the traditional (x, y)
pair used in rectangular graphs. The pole is at the origin. Positive angles are
measured counter-clockwise from the positive x-axis.

There are three major types of graphs you should know how to graph by hand on the
AP Calculus BC Exam: petal graphs, limacons, and lemniscates

Petal Graphs
Petal graphs are in the form or . T
radius for any petal is a. In cosine graphs the first peak is always at . In sine

graphs the first peak is always at . In both cases there are n petals if n is odd

or 2n petals if n is even.
To graph a petal graph locate the first peak. Lightly sketch a circle of radius a.
Equally mark off points that correspond to the number of petals. Draw curves that pass
through the origin and are one point further around the circle than a diameter point.
Continue until you return to the beginning.

Example 1.

Maximum radius = 2. Number of petals = 3. First peak is at .

Each petal is radians apart. This gives peaks at

So, the next peak is at . (Remember: Draw curves that pass through the

origin and are one point further around the circle than a diameter point). Last peak is at

The first part of the graph is shown in Figure 1. Then draw the curve

Figure 1

through the pole to the last peak at as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2

AP Calculus Summer Institute - Larry Peterson


Finally, draw the last branch of the curve through the pole to the beginning as shown in

Figure 3.

Figure 3

Example 2.

Maximum radius = 3. Number of petals = 4 (2n petals). First peak is at

. (See Figure 4)

Figure 4

Each petal is radians apart. This gives peaks at

The next peak is at (See Figure 5) . (Remember: Draw curves that pass

through the origin and are one point further around the circle than a diameter point).

Third peak is at (Figure 6). The last peak is at (Figure 7). Finally, draw the

last branch of the curve through the pole to the beginning as shown in Figure 8.

Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 7 Figure 8

AP Calculus Summer Institute - Larry Peterson


Limacons
These are equations in the form or
Use the following ideas to sketch the graph.
1. Orientation. If the function involves cosine, the graph will be positioned
left or right. If the function involves sine, the graph will be positioned up or
down.

2. Intercepts. Use the four quadrant angles to find

intercepts of the x- and y- axes.


3. Shapes.

A. If , then the function is a dented limacon


Dented
limacon
This graph never touches the pole.

B. If , then the function is a cardioid.

Cardioid
This graph always touches the pole.

C. If , then the function is a looped limacon.


Looped
limacon
This graph always passes through the pole.

Example 3.

1. Oriented to the right (positive x because of cosine)

2. Intercepts

3. Shape is a dented limacon.

Example 3

AP Calculus Summer Institute - Larry Peterson


Example 4.

1. Oriented down (since we have a negative cosine)

2. Intercepts.

3. Shape. Cardioid.

Example 4

Example 5.

1. Oriented to the left (negative cosine)

2. Intercepts.

3. Shape. Looped limacon.

Example 5

Lemniscates
Lemniscates are in the form or
look like figure eights. Cosine lemniscates are always oriented along the positive and
negative x-axis. Sine lemniscates are always oriented along the line y = x. Maximum
distance out is

Example 6.
Oriented along the line y = x.
Maximum distance away from pole is .

Shape is a figure eight.

Example 6

AP Calculus Summer Institute - Larry Peterson

You might also like

pFad - Phonifier reborn

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.

Note: This service is not intended for secure transactions such as banking, social media, email, or purchasing. Use at your own risk. We assume no liability whatsoever for broken pages.


Alternative Proxies:

Alternative Proxy

pFad Proxy

pFad v3 Proxy

pFad v4 Proxy