Table of contents
- 0. Review of College Algebra4h 43m
- 1. Measuring Angles40m
- 2. Trigonometric Functions on Right Triangles2h 5m
- 3. Unit Circle1h 19m
- 4. Graphing Trigonometric Functions1h 19m
- 5. Inverse Trigonometric Functions and Basic Trigonometric Equations1h 41m
- 6. Trigonometric Identities and More Equations2h 34m
- 7. Non-Right Triangles1h 38m
- 8. Vectors2h 25m
- 9. Polar Equations2h 5m
- 10. Parametric Equations1h 6m
- 11. Graphing Complex Numbers1h 7m
9. Polar Equations
Convert Equations Between Polar and Rectangular Forms
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Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first videoMultiple Choice
Convert each equation to its rectangular form.
r=1−sinθ2
A
y2=4−4x
B
x2+y2=2y
C
y=41x2−1
D
x2−1=y

1
Step 1: Start with the polar equation \( r = \frac{2}{1 - \sin\theta} \). Recall that the conversion from polar to rectangular coordinates involves using the relationships \( x = r\cos\theta \) and \( y = r\sin\theta \).
Step 2: Express \( \sin\theta \) in terms of \( y \) and \( r \) using the identity \( \sin\theta = \frac{y}{r} \). Substitute this into the equation to get \( r = \frac{2}{1 - \frac{y}{r}} \).
Step 3: Simplify the equation by multiplying both sides by \( r \) to eliminate the fraction: \( r^2 = 2r - 2y \).
Step 4: Substitute \( r^2 = x^2 + y^2 \) into the equation to convert it to rectangular form: \( x^2 + y^2 = 2r - 2y \).
Step 5: Rearrange the equation to isolate \( y \) and express it in terms of \( x \): \( y = \frac{1}{4}x^2 - 1 \).
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