Chapter 10: Problem 22
Find polar equations for the circles in Exercises \(21-28 .\) Sketch each circle in the coordinate plane and label it with both its Cartesian and polar equations. $$ (x+2)^{2}+y^{2}=4 $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
Polar equation: \(r^2 + 4r\cos(\theta) = 0\); Cartesian: \((x + 2)^2 + y^2 = 4\).
Step by step solution
01
Identify Circle's Center and Radius
The given Cartesian equation of a circle is \((x + 2)^{2} + y^{2} = 4\). Here, the circle is centered at \((-2, 0)\) and has a radius of 2, since 4 is the square of the radius, \(r^{2} = 4\), thus \(r = 2\).
02
Establish Polar Coordinates
Recall that in polar coordinates, \(x = r\cos(\theta)\) and \(y = r\sin(\theta)\). The center \((-2, 0)\) corresponds to polar coordinates \((r_c, \theta_c)\) where \(r_c = 2\) and \(\theta_c = \pi\) because the center is on the negative x-axis.
03
Derive Polar Equation for the Circle
In polar form, a circle with center at \((r_0, \theta_0)\) and radius \(a\) is given by:\[ r^2 - 2r r_0\cos(\theta - \theta_0) = a^2 \]Substitute \(r_0 = 2\), \(\theta_0 = \pi\), and \(a = 2\) into this equation:\[ r^2 + 4r\cos(\theta) + 4 = 4 \]Simplifying, we have:\[ r^2 + 4r\cos(\theta) = 0 \]
04
Verify and Sketch
Verify that the derived polar equation \(r^2 + 4r\cos(\theta) = 0\) matches the properties of the original Cartesian circle. The equation in polar form is consistent with the center at \((-2, 0)\) and radius 2.For the sketch: In Cartesian coordinates, the circle is centered at \((-2, 0)\) with radius 2; in polar form, the circle can be sketched using \(r = -2\cos(\theta)\) fulfilling the condition \(r^2 + 4r\cos(\theta) = 0\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Cartesians Equations
In mathematics, the Cartesian equation is a valuable form to represent geometric figures like circles, lines, and more. It uses x and y coordinates to define a shape on the coordinate plane. For example, the Cartesian equation of a circle
- Presents the formula \( (x-h)^2 + (y-k)^2 = r^2 \) where \( (h,k) \) is the center and \( r \) is the radius.
- In our specific exercise, \( (x+2)^2+y^2=4 \) reveals a circle centered at \((-2,0)\) with a radius of 2.
Circle in Coordinate Plane
A circle in the coordinate plane is a set of all points equidistant from a center point. The equation \((x+2)^2 + y^2 = 4\) represents a circle that:
- Has a center at \((-2,0)\).
- Features a fixed radius of 2 units.
Polar Coordinates
Polar coordinates offer an alternative way of representing points on a plane using a distance and an angle rather than x and y positions. This system is particularly useful when working with shapes like circles that are naturally oriented around a center point. For a circle, the conversion process includes:
- Replacing \( x \) and \( y \) in the Cartesian equation with \( x = r\cos(\theta) \) and \( y = r\sin(\theta) \).
- For the given circle, this leads to a polar equation, \(r^2 + 4r\cos(\theta) = 0\).
Mathematics Education
Mathematics education emphasizes understanding different ways of representing data, such as Cartesian and polar forms, to enrich comprehension. This practice assists students in:
- Acquiring a versatile thinking approach.
- Enhancing their problem-solving skills for more complex tasks.
- Encouraging interactive learning by applying multiple methods for a single concept.