Match each equation with its polar graph from choices A–D. r = cos 3θ
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Step 1: Recognize that the given equation \( r = \cos 3\theta \) is a polar equation representing a rose curve.
Step 2: Understand that the general form of a rose curve is \( r = a \cos(n\theta) \) or \( r = a \sin(n\theta) \), where \( n \) determines the number of petals.
Step 3: Since \( n = 3 \) in \( r = \cos 3\theta \), the graph will have \( 3 \) petals because \( n \) is odd.
Step 4: Note that the amplitude \( a = 1 \) in this equation, which means the length of each petal is 1.
Step 5: Match this understanding with the given graph choices A–D to identify the graph with 3 petals, each extending to a radius of 1.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Polar Coordinates
Polar coordinates represent points in a plane using a distance from a reference point (the pole) and an angle from a reference direction. In polar equations, 'r' denotes the radius (distance from the origin), and 'θ' represents the angle. Understanding how to convert between polar and Cartesian coordinates is essential for interpreting polar graphs.
Polar equations express relationships between the radius 'r' and the angle 'θ'. The equation 'r = cos 3θ' indicates that the radius varies with the angle, leading to specific shapes in the polar graph. Recognizing the form of these equations helps in predicting the type of graph produced, such as roses or spirals.
Graphing polar equations involves plotting points based on the values of 'r' for various angles 'θ'. For 'r = cos 3θ', the graph will exhibit a rose pattern with three petals, as the coefficient of 'θ' determines the number of petals. Understanding how to sketch these graphs requires familiarity with the periodic nature of trigonometric functions.