Chapter 10: Problem 44
Replace the polar equations in Exercises \(23-48\) by equivalent Cartesian equations. Then describe or identify the graph. $$ r=3 \cos \theta $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The equivalent Cartesian equation is \((x - \frac{3}{2})^2 + y^2 = \frac{9}{4}\); it's a circle centered at \((\frac{3}{2}, 0)\) with radius \(\frac{3}{2}\).
Step by step solution
01
Identify Polar Equation
The given polar equation is \( r = 3 \cos \theta \). This equation relates the radial coordinate \( r \) to the angle \( \theta \). Our task is to convert this into Cartesian coordinates \( (x, y) \).
02
Use Polar to Cartesian Conversion Formulas
We use the formulas \( x = r \cos \theta \) and \( y = r \sin \theta \) to relate polar coordinates to Cartesian coordinates. We also have the relation \( r^2 = x^2 + y^2 \).
03
Substitute and Simplify
Since \( r = 3 \cos \theta \), substitute \( \cos \theta = \frac{x}{r} \) into the equation: \( r = 3 \frac{x}{r} \). Rearranging gives \( r^2 = 3x \). Substituting \( r^2 = x^2 + y^2 \), we get \( x^2 + y^2 = 3x \).
04
Rearrange into Standard Form
Rearrange the equation into standard conic section form: \( x^2 - 3x + y^2 = 0 \). Complete the square for the \( x \) terms: \( (x - \frac{3}{2})^2 \) to make it look like a circle equation. The equation becomes \( (x - \frac{3}{2})^2 + y^2 = \frac{9}{4} \).
05
Identify the Graph
The equation \( (x - \frac{3}{2})^2 + y^2 = \frac{9}{4} \) is the equation of a circle. The circle has a center at \( (\frac{3}{2}, 0) \) and a radius of \( \frac{3}{2} \).
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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 way of representing points in a plane using a distance from a reference point and an angle from a reference direction. Instead of using traditional Cartesian coordinates, which specify a point using an x and y value, polar coordinates use:
- \( r \): The radial distance from the origin.
- \( \theta \): The angle measured from the positive x-axis in the counter-clockwise direction.
Cartesian Coordinates
Cartesian coordinates use two perpendicular axes to locate a point in a plane. These axes, typically labeled as the x-axis and y-axis, form a grid that covers the entire plane with intersection points forming coordinates. Each point in this system is described by:
- \( x \): The horizontal position along the x-axis.
- \( y \): The vertical position along the y-axis.
Circle Equation
The equation of a circle is one of the simplest forms of conic sections and is expressed in Cartesian coordinates. Typically resolved around its center point, the standard formula for a circle is:\[(x - h)^2 + (y - k)^2 = r^2\]Where:
- \( (h, k) \): The center of the circle.
- \( r \): The radius of the circle.
Conic Sections
Conic sections are curves obtained by intersecting a plane with a double-napped cone. These curves include various shapes such as ellipses, parabolas, hyperbolas, and circles. A circle is one such conic section when the plane cuts the cone parallel to its base.Each conic section has a standard Cartesian equation that helps identify its form:
- Circle: \((x-h)^2 + (y-k)^2 = r^2\)
- Ellipse: \( \frac{(x-h)^2}{a^2} + \frac{(y-k)^2}{b^2} = 1 \)
- Parabola: \( y = ax^2 + bx + c \)
- Hyperbola: \( \frac{(x-h)^2}{a^2} - \frac{(y-k)^2}{b^2} = 1 \) or \( \frac{(y-h)^2}{a^2} - \frac{(x-k)^2}{b^2} = 1 \)