Activity 7.6 Polar Coordinates
Overview:
This activity consists of one problem that explores the effect of changing the values of the
constants A and B in the polar equation r = 1 – A sin B.
Estimated Time Required:
The activity should take approximately 15 minutes.
Technology: Graphing calculator
Prerequisite Concepts:
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Polar coordinates
Equations in polar coordinates
Polar graphs
Discussion:
Have students use the polar graphing mode on their calculators to graph several functions with
different values for A and B and then have them describe the effect that each constant has on the
graph as compared to r = 1 sin .
Activity 7.6 Polar Coordinates
Explore how the parameters A, B, and N affect the graph of the cardioid
r  1  A sin  B  , with
0    N . Try various values (odd, even) of A, B, and N, in various combinations, and try to
come up with some conjectures. Include sketches of your results.