Chapter 1: Problem 151
Determine whether the graphs of the polar equation are symmetric with respect to the \(x\)-axis, the \(y\) -axis, or the origin. $$ r=\cos \left(\frac{\theta}{5}\right) $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The graph is symmetric with respect to the x-axis and the origin.
Step by step solution
01
Test for Symmetry with respect to the x-axis
To test if a polar equation is symmetric with respect to the x-axis, substitute \(\theta\) with \(-\theta\). For the given equation, this yields:\[r = \cos \left(\frac{-\theta}{5}\right) = \cos \left(-\frac{\theta}{5}\right)\]Since the cosine function is even, \(\cos\left(-x\right) = \cos\left(x\right)\), so:\[\cos \left(-\frac{\theta}{5}\right) = \cos \left(\frac{\theta}{5}\right)\]Thus, \(r = \cos \left(\frac{\theta}{5}\right)\) confirms that the graph is symmetric with respect to the x-axis.
02
Test for Symmetry with respect to the y-axis
To check symmetry with respect to the y-axis, replace \(\theta\) with \(\pi - \theta\). Substitute into the equation:\[r = \cos \left(\frac{\pi - \theta}{5}\right)\]Applying the identity for cosine, \(\cos(\pi - x) = -\cos(x)\), we get:\[r = -\cos \left(\frac{\theta}{5}\right)\]This result, \(r = -\cos\left(\frac{\theta}{5}\right)\), is not equal to the original equation, so the graph is not symmetric with respect to the y-axis.
03
Test for Symmetry with respect to the origin
To test for origin symmetry, replace \(r\) with \(-r\) and \(\theta\) with \(\theta + \pi\). Substitute in the equation:\[-r = \cos \left(\frac{\theta + \pi}{5}\right)\]Using the cosine angle addition formula, \(\cos(x + \pi) = -\cos(x)\), gives:\[-r = -\cos \left(\frac{\theta}{5}\right)\]This simplifies to \(r = \cos \left(\frac{\theta}{5}\right)\), which matches the original equation, confirming symmetry with respect to the origin.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Polar Coordinates
Polar coordinates are a different way of representing points on a plane, as opposed to the usual Cartesian coordinates, which use the x and y-axis. Here, each point is defined by a distance "r" from the origin and an angle "\(\theta\)" measured from the positive x-axis. This means:
- "r" tells you how far you are from the center, the pole.
- "\(\theta\)" shows the direction or angle you need to move to reach the point.
Trigonometric Symmetry
Understanding symmetry is crucial in identifying how a function behaves when transformed. In polar graphs, this involves checking whether the graph remains unchanged when you rotate it or flip it. Symmetry tests include:
- Symmetry with respect to the x-axis: Substitute \(\theta\) with \(-\theta\). If the equation remains unchanged, the graph is x-axis symmetric.
- Symmetry with respect to the y-axis: Replace \(\theta\) with \(\pi - \theta\). If the equation is the same, the graph is y-axis symmetric.
- Symmetry with respect to the origin: Replace \(r\) with \(-r\) and \(\theta\) with \(\theta + \pi\). If unchanged, it’s origin symmetric.
Cosine Function
The cosine function, often denoted as \(\cos(\theta)\), is one of the fundamental trigonometric functions. It's periodic with a period of \(2\pi\), meaning it repeats its values every \(2\pi\) radians (or 360 degrees). Some key characteristics include:
- Even Function: This means that \(\cos(-x) = \cos(x)\), making symmetry tests simpler.
- Range: The values are strictly between -1 and 1. This makes it ideal for representing amplitudes in wave functions.
- Graph: A smooth wave that starts from 1 at \(\theta=0\), decreases to -1, and returns to 1 at \(2\pi\).