Polar Coordinate System

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 Definition
The polar coordinate system uses
distances and directions to specify the
location of a point in the plane.
To set up the system, we choose a
fixed point 𝑂 called the pole (or origin)
and draw from 𝑂 a ray called the polar
axis. The axis is usually drawn
horizontally to the right.

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 Definition
Each point 𝑃 in the plane can be
assigned with polar coordinates (𝑟, 𝜃),
where:
𝑟 = the directed distance of 𝑃 from 𝑂
𝜃 = directed angle of 𝑂𝑃
counterclockwise from the polar
axis.

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 Definition
If 𝑟 = 0, the designated point is the
pole.
If 𝜃 < 0, the angle must be measured
in clockwise direction.
If 𝑟 < 0, the point lies |𝑟| units from
the pole in the direction opposite to
that given by 𝜃.

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 Example
Plot the following points.
3𝜋
1. 1, 4
𝜋
2. 3, − 6
3. 3, 3𝜋
𝜋
4. −4,
4

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 Answers
1) 2)

3) 4)

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 Polar Coordinate System

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 A point 𝑟, 𝜃 in the polar coordinate system can have many
representation. It can also be represented by
(𝑟, 𝜃 + 2𝑛𝜋) and (−𝑟, 𝜃 + 2𝑛 + 1 𝜋), where 𝑛 is an
integer.

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 Example
𝜋
Graph the point with polar coordinates 2, 3 .
Find two other polar coordinate representation of the point
with 𝑟 > 0 and two with 𝑟 < 0.

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 Answers

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 Coordinate Conversion
1. From polar to rectangular coordinates
𝑥 = 𝑟 cos 𝜃 and 𝑦 = 𝑟 sin 𝜃

2. From rectangular to polar coordinates

2 2 2 𝑦
𝑟 = 𝑥 + 𝑦 and tan 𝜃 =
𝑥

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 Example
1. Find the rectangular Answers.
coordinates of the point 1. −2, 2 3
that has polar coordinate
2𝜋 𝜋 3𝜋
4, 3 . 2. 2 2, −
4
or −2 2,
4

2. Find the polar coordinates

of the point with
rectangular coordinates
(2, −2).

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 Polar Equations

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 Definition
An equation in polar coordinates is called polar equation.

In converting equations with rectangular coordinates to

polar coordinates, replace 𝑥 by 𝑟 cos 𝜃 and 𝑦 by 𝑟 sin 𝜃, and
then simplify.

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 Example
Express the equation Answer.
𝑥 2 = 4𝑦 in polar 𝑟 = 4 sec 𝜃 tan 𝜃
coordinates.

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 In converting equations with polar coordinates to rectangular
coordinates, the goal is to change any combinations of 𝑟, cos 𝜃
and sin 𝜃 into 𝑥 and 𝑦 using 𝑟 2 = 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 , 𝑥 = 𝑟 cos 𝜃, and
𝑦 = 𝑟 sin 𝜃

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 Example
Express the following polar equations in rectangular
coordinates.
1. 𝑟 = 5 sec 𝜃
2. 𝑟 = 2 sin 𝜃
3. 𝑟 = 2 + 2 cos 𝜃
4. 𝑟 2 = 4 sin 2𝜃
5. 𝑟(1 − sin 𝜃) = 2

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 Conics in Polar Coordinate

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 Definition
A conic can be defined as the set of all points 𝑃 in the plane
such that the ratio of the undirected distance of 𝑃 from a
fixed point to the undirected distance of 𝑃 from a fixed line
that does not contain 𝑃 is a positive constant 𝑒 called the
eccentricity of the conic.
If 𝑒 = 1, the conic is a parabola;
If 0 < 𝑒 < 1, the conic is an ellipse;
If 𝑒 > 1, the conic is a hyperbola.

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 Given a central conic (ellipse or hyperbola) with equations
𝑥−ℎ 2 𝑦−𝑘 2 𝑦−𝑘 2 𝑥−ℎ 2
± = 1 or ± =1
𝑎2 𝑏2 𝑎2 𝑏2

𝑐
The eccentricity of the conic is given by 𝑒 = ,
𝑎
where 𝑐 2 = 𝑎2 − 𝑏 2 for an ellipse, and 𝑐 2 = 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 for
hyperbola.

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 Polar Equations of Conics
The numbers 𝑒 and 𝑑 are, respectively, the eccentricity and the
undirected distance between the focus and the corresponding
directrix of a conic respectively.

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 Polar Equations of Conics
If a focus of the conic is at the pole and the corresponding
directrix is perpendicular to the polar axis, the conic has the
equation
𝑒𝑑
𝑟= 1±𝑒 cos 𝜃
where the plus sign is taken if the directrix corresponding to
the focus at the pole is to the right of the focus, minus sign
is taken if it is to the left.

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 Polar Equations of Conics

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 Polar Equations of Conics
If a focus of the conic is at the pole and the corresponding
directrix is parallel to the polar axis, the conic has the
equation
𝑒𝑑
𝑟= 1±𝑒 sin 𝜃
where the plus sign is taken if the directrix corresponding to
the focus at the pole is above of the focus, minus sign is
taken if it is below.

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 Polar Equations of Conics

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 Example 1
3𝜋
4, 2
A parabola has its focus at the pole and its vertex at .
Find the polar equation of the parabola and an equation of
the directrix. Sketch the graph.

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 Example 2
Identify the following conic, find the eccentricity, write an
equation of the directrix corresponding to the focus at the
pole, and find the vertices. Sketch the graph.
6
1. 𝑟 = 3−2 cos 𝜃
9
2. 𝑟 = 5−6 sin 𝜃
4
3. 𝑟 = 1+cos 𝜃

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 Exercises
1. Find the eccentricity and foci of the central conic 𝑥 2 − 9𝑦 2 = 9.
4
2. Given the conic 𝑟 = ,
find the type of conic, its
3−2 cos 𝜃
eccentricity, the equation of the directrix corresponding to the
focus at the pole and sketch the curve.
3. Find a polar equation of the hyperbola having a focus at the pole
and the corresponding directrix to the left of the focus if the point
4
2, 3 𝜋 is on the hyperbola and 𝑒 = 3.

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