Chapter 8: Problem 9
Determine the eccentricity, identify the conic, and sketch its graph. $$ r=\frac{6}{1-\cos \theta} $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The conic is a parabola with an eccentricity of 1.
Step by step solution
01
Identify the Conic Type
The given polar equation is in the form \(r=\frac{ed}{1-e\cos\theta}\). Here, comparing with the standard form, we find that the parameters are \(e=1\) and \(d=6\). Since the equation is of the form \(r=\frac{ed}{1-e\cos\theta}\) with \(e = 1\), this corresponds to a parabola.
02
Calculate the Eccentricity
In the equation \(r=\frac{6}{1-\cos\theta}\), the parameter \(e\) represents the eccentricity. From the comparison in Step 1, we concluded that \(e=1\). Thus, the eccentricity is \(e=1\).
03
Confirm the Conic Type Using Eccentricity
For conic sections, if the eccentricity \(e=1\), the conic is a parabola. Hence, the conic we have is indeed a parabola, as concluded in Step 1.
04
Sketch the Graph
The graph of the equation will be a parabola. Since the equation \(r=\frac{6}{1-\cos\theta}\) is symmetric around the polar axis (\(\theta = 0\) or the \(x\)-axis), this parabola opens to the right. The directrix is a vertical line, \(x = -6\), through the focus located at the origin. You can sketch it by plotting points for various angles \(\theta\), calculating \(r\), and drawing the curve.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Conic Sections
Conic sections are shapes that you get by slicing a cone with a plane. These shapes are the circle, ellipse, parabola, and hyperbola. The way you slice the cone determines the shape you get:
- Circle: A horizontal slice through the cone, resulting in a perfect circle.
- Ellipse: An angled slice through the cone that is not parallel to the base, providing an elongated circular shape.
- Parabola: A slice parallel to the edge of the cone, creating a U-shaped curve.
- Hyperbola: A slice that is steeper than the edge of the cone, resulting in two separate curves.
- If \( e = 0 \), the conic is a circle.
- If \( 0 < e < 1 \), it's an ellipse.
- If \( e = 1 \), you have a parabola, which is what we observe in the given equation.
- If \( e > 1 \), it's a hyperbola.
Polar Coordinates
Polar coordinates offer another way to describe points in a plane, different from the usual Cartesian coordinates. Instead of using \((x, y)\), polar coordinates use \((r, \theta)\) where:
- \(r\) represents the radial distance from the origin (think of it as how far away the point is).
- \(\theta\) denotes the angle measured from the positive x-axis (in radians or degrees).
Graphing Parabolas
Graphing parabolas, especially when using polar coordinates, can be an intriguing process. The parabola represented by the formula \(r = \frac{6}{1 - \cos\theta}\) is symmetric around the polar axis (imagine it around the x-axis if you convert it to Cartesian coordinates). Here's how to visualize and sketch it:
- Identify the symmetry: The equation is symmetric around the polar axis, hinting that it opens to the right.
- Plot several points: Choose values for \(\theta\), such as \(0\), \(\frac{\pi}{6}\), \(\frac{\pi}{4}\), \(\frac{\pi}{3}\), etc., and calculate \(r\) to get points that define the parabola.
- Sketch the curve: Once you have enough points plotted, connect them smoothly to form the characteristic U-shape of the parabola, focusing on maintaining its symmetry and direction.
- Locate the directrix and focus: For the given equation, the focus is at the origin, and the directrix is the line \(x = -6\), providing structure to your sketch.