Chapter 11
Parametric Equations and
Polar Coordinates
Slide 1
Chapter 11
Parametric Equations and Polar Coordinates
1. Parameterizations of Plane Curves
2. Calculus with Parametric Curves
3. Polar Coordinates
4. Graphing in Polar Coordinates
5. Areas and Lengths in Polar Coordinates
6. Conic Sections
7. Eccentricity of Conic Sections
Slide 2
Lec.4: Lecture Objectives
1. Identify what is meant by parametric equations
2. Graph a parametric curve
3. Transform Cartesian to parametric equations and vice versa
4. Obtain derivatives of parametric curves
5. Evaluate slope, area, length of parametric curves
6. Evaluate the area of revolution surfaces for parametric curves
7. Identify what is meant by polar coordinates
8. Transform polar to cartesian equations and vice versa
9. Evaluate the slop of polar curves
10. Graph polar curves
Slide 3
Sec. 11.1: Parameterizations of Plane Curves
Parametric Equations:
Ex. Equation of motion of a particle
𝑥 = 𝑓 𝑡 : 𝑥-position
𝑦 = 𝑔 𝑡 : 𝑦-position
𝑡: parameter (time in this example)
Slide 4
Ex. Projectile motion
Slide 5
Ex. Identify the path traced by the parametric equations:
𝑥 = 𝑡 2 − 2𝑡, 𝑦 =𝑡+1 ,0 ≤ 𝑡 ≤ 4
𝑥 = 𝑦 2 − 4𝑦 + 3 Cartesian eqn.
Slide 6
Ex. Identify geometrically the curve by eliminating the
parameter:
𝑥 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑡 , 𝑦 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑡 , 0 ≤ 𝑡 ≤ 2𝜋
Cartesian eqn.
𝑥2 + 𝑦2 = 1
(Unit Circle)
Slide 7
Ex. Identify geometrically the curve by obtaining the
Cartesian equation:
𝑥 = 3𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃 , 𝑦 = 4𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃 , 0 ≤ 𝜃 ≤ 2𝜋
Cartesian eqn.
𝑥2 𝑦2
+ =1
9 16
(Ellipse)
Slide 8
Ex. Find the Cartesian equation for the cycloid,
𝑥 = 𝑎 𝑡 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑡 , 𝑦 = 𝑎 1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑡 ,𝑡 ≥ 0
[Link]
Slide 9
Ex. Find the Cartesian equation for the cycloid,
𝑥 = 𝑎 𝑡 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑡 , 𝑦 = 𝑎 1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑡 ,𝑡 ≥ 0
[Link]/wiki/Tautochrone_curve
Slide 10
Ex. Find the Cartesian equation for the cycloid,
𝑥 = 𝑎 𝑡 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑡 , 𝑦 = 𝑎 1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑡 ,𝑡 ≥ 0
Slide 11
Sec. 11.2: Calculus with Parametric Curves
Slide 12
𝑑𝑦 𝑑 2 𝑦
Ex: Find , and the equation of the tangent to the curve
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 2
𝜋 𝜋 𝜋
at 𝑡 = : 𝑥 = 𝑠𝑒𝑐 𝑡 , 𝑦 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝑡 ,− < 𝑡 <
4 2 2
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦/𝑑𝑡 𝑠𝑒𝑐 𝑡
= = = 𝑐𝑠𝑐 𝑡
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥/𝑑𝑡 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝑡
𝑑𝑦
ቤ = 2
𝑑𝑥 𝑡=𝜋/4
Tangent line: 𝑦 − 1 = 2 𝑥 − 2
𝑑 2 𝑦 𝑑𝑦′/𝑑𝑡 −𝑐𝑠𝑐 𝑡 𝑐𝑜𝑡 𝑡
2
= =
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥/𝑑𝑡 𝑠𝑒𝑐 𝑡 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝑡
𝑑2 𝑦
2
อ = −1
𝑑𝑥
𝑡=𝜋/4
Slide 13
Area under a Parametric Curve
Ex: Find the area under one arch of the Cycloid:
𝑥 = 𝑎 𝑡 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑡 ,
𝑦 = 𝑎 1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑡 , 0 ≤ 𝑡 ≤ 2𝜋
𝑥2
𝐴 = න 𝑦 𝑑𝑥
𝑥1
2𝜋
= 𝑎2 න 1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑡 2
𝑑𝑡
0
= 3𝜋𝑎2
Slide 14
Length of Parametric Curves
Slide 15
Ex: Find the length of the Astroid:
𝑥 = cos 3 𝑡 , 𝑦 = sin3 𝑡 , 0 ≤ 𝑡 ≤ 2𝜋
[Link]/wiki/Astroid
Slide 16
𝜋/2 2 2
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦
𝐿 =4න + 𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
0
𝜋/2
𝐿 =4න 3 cos 2 𝑡 ∗ −sin 𝑡 2 + 3 sin2 𝑡 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑡 2 𝑑𝑡
0
𝜋/2
𝐿 =4න 9 cos 4 𝑡 ∗ 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝑡 + 9 sin4 𝑡 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝑡 𝑑𝑡
0
𝜋/2
𝐿 = 12 න 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑡 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑡 𝑑𝑡 = 6
0
Slide 17
Area of Surface of Revolution of Parametric Curves
Slide 18
Ex: The standard parametrization of the circle of radius 1
centered at the point 0,1 in the 𝑥𝑦-plane is:
𝑥 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑡 , 𝑦 = 1 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑡 , 0 ≤ 𝑡 ≤ 2𝜋
Find the surface area of the solid generated by revolving
the circle about the 𝑥-axis
2𝜋
𝑆 = 2𝜋 න 1 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑡 𝑑𝑡
0
= 4𝜋 2
Slide 19
Sec. 11.3: Polar Coordinates
In many cases,
polar coordinates are simpler ,
easier and more convenient to use than
cartesian (rectangular) coordinates.
Slide 20
Polar Coordinates
Terminal Ray
Slide 21
Polar grid
Cartesian grid
Slide 22
P (r, )
r is directed distance
+ve
is directed angle
-ve
P (-r, ) -∞ < < ∞
(r, ) = (r, ±2nπ)
-∞ < r < ∞
Locate first then r.
Slide 23
Polar coordinates are not unique
Slide 24
Locate the point (2, 7π/6)
Slide 25
Relation between Polar Coordinates and Cartesian
Coordinates
Slide 26
Ex. Find polar coordinates of the Cartesian point
P: (−2, −2 3)
2 2 2
r = −2 + −2 3 = 16
−2 3
tan 𝜃 = = 3
−2
4𝜋
Polar coordinates of P is (4, )
3
𝜋
OR (−4, )
3
Slide 27
Important Polar Curves
𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 16 𝑦=𝑥
Slide 28
Ex. Graph the region (set of points) satisfying:
𝜋
1 ≤ 𝑟 ≤ 2, 0≤𝜃≤
2
Slide 29
Ex. Graph the region (set of points) satisfying:
2𝜋 5𝜋
≤𝜃≤
3 6
Slide 30
𝑥=3 𝑦=2
𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃 = 3 𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃 = 2
Slide 31
Ex. Find a polar equation for the circle:
𝑥2 + 𝑦 − 3 2 = 9
𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 − 6𝑦 = 0
𝑟 2 − 6𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃 = 0
𝑟 = 6 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃
Slide 32
2
𝑥 + 𝑦−𝑎 2
=𝑎 2 (𝑥 − 𝑎)2 +𝑦 2 = 𝑎2
𝑟 = 2𝑎 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃 𝑟 = 2𝑎 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃
Slide 33
Sec. 11.4: Graphing in Polar Coordinates
Slope of tangent line to the curve 𝑟 = 𝑓(𝜃)
𝑥 = 𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃, 𝑦 = 𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑟
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝜃 𝑑𝜃 sin 𝜃 + 𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃
= =
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃 − 𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃
𝑑𝜃 𝑑𝜃
Slide 34
Ex. Find the slope of the tangent line to the circle
𝑟 = 4𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃 at the point where 𝜃 = 𝜋/4
𝑑𝑦 −4 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃 + 4 cos 2 𝜃
=
𝑑𝑥 −4 sin 𝜃 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃 − 4 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃 sin 𝜃
𝑑𝑦
ቤ =0
𝑑𝑥 𝜃=𝜋/4
Slide 35
Symmetry in Polar Coordinates
Symmetry of the curve 𝑟 = 𝑓(𝜃)
1. about 𝑥 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠
𝑟, 𝜃 ⇒ 𝑟, −𝜃 or −𝑟, 𝜋 − 𝜃
𝑟 = 2 cos 𝜃 Slide 36
Symmetry of the curve 𝑟 = 𝑓(𝜃)
2. about 𝑦 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠
𝑟, 𝜃 ⇒ −𝑟, −𝜃 𝑜𝑟 𝑟, 𝜋 − 𝜃
𝑟 = 𝑠𝑖 𝑛 𝜃
Slide 37
Symmetry of the curve 𝑟 = 𝑓(𝜃)
3. about the origin
𝑟, 𝜃 ⇒ −𝑟, 𝜃 or 𝑟, 𝜃 + 𝜋
𝑟 2 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛(2𝜃)
(Lemniscate)
Slide 38
Lemniscate Antenna
Slide 39
Check the Symmetry
about x-axis 𝑟, 𝜃 ⇒ 𝑟, −𝜃 𝑟, 𝜃 ⇒ −𝑟, 𝜋 − 𝜃
about y-axis 𝑟, 𝜃 ⇒ −𝑟, −𝜃 𝑟, 𝜃 ⇒ 𝑟, 𝜋 − 𝜃
about origin 𝑟, 𝜃 ⇒ −𝑟, 𝜃 𝑟, 𝜃 ⇒ 𝑟, 𝜃 + 𝜋
Ex. r = sin 2𝜃
Slide 40
Ex. r = sin 2𝜃
𝜋 𝜋 3𝜋
𝜃=0 → 𝜃= → 𝜋 𝜃= 𝜋→ → 2𝜋
2 2 2
Slide 41
Roses
Slide 42
Ex. Transform the equation of the following curve to
polar coordinates and graph it: 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑥 2 = 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2
𝑟 = 1 − cos 𝜃
symmetric about 𝑥 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠
Cardioid Slide 43
Ex. Transform the equation of the following curve to polar
coordinates and graph it: 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑥 2 = 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2
𝑟 = 1 − cos 𝜃
-3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Cardioid
𝑟 = 𝑎 1 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃 𝑟 = 𝑎 1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃
𝑟 = 𝑎 1 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃 𝑟 = 𝑎 1 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃
A cardioid is a curve traced by a point on the perimeter
of a circle that is rolling around a fixed circle of the
same radius.
[Link]/wiki/Cardioid
Slide 46
𝑈𝑛𝑖 − 𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑀𝑖𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑝ℎ𝑜𝑛𝑒
Slide 47
𝑂𝑚𝑛𝑖 − 𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑀𝑖𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑝ℎ𝑜𝑛𝑒
Slide 48
Spirals:
Archimedean Spiral Logarithmic Spiral
𝑏𝜃
𝑟 = 𝑎𝜃 𝑟 = 𝑎𝑒 𝑜𝑟
1 𝑟
𝜃 = 𝑙𝑛
𝑏 𝑎
Slide 49
Archimedean Spiral
Hamilton Watch A Sailor’s coiled rope
Slide 50
Find the Cartesian Equation:
Spring 2020 Slide 51
Find the slope of the curve:
Spring 2020 Slide 52
Spring 2020 Slide 53
Spring 2020 Slide 54
Spring 2020 Slide 55
Spring 2020 Slide 56
