Precalculus : Convert Polar Equations To Rectangular Form and vice versa

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Precalculus

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Example Questions

Example Question #51 : Polar Coordinates

Write the equation in polar form

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

First re-arrange the original equation so that the 4 is factored out on the right side, and put and next to each other:

Make the substitutions and :

take the square root of both sides

divide both sides by r

add to both sides

Example Question #52 : Polar Coordinates

Which is equivalent to ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To convert, substitute and :

  divide both sides by r

multiply both sides by 2

divide both sides by cosine squared

Example Question #53 : Polar Coordinates

Convert to polar form:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Convert by making the substitutions and :

subtract from both sides

factor out r

divide

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