1. Warmup NO CALCULATORS Convert into radians or degrees.
Find the exact value of:

2. Nice job. Now try these . . . Solve for θ. Solve for θ, where
Problems in this column return MORE
THAN ONE answer because asking
what angle rotation would result in
the given trig values.
Problems in this column return
ONE answer because asking
for output of inverse trig
FUNCTION

3. Unit 8 Day 4 Polar Coordinates An alternative way to plot points!
Pre-Calculus
Unit 8 Day 4
Polar Coordinates
An alternative way to plot points!

4. The Polar Express First we start with the POLE or ORIGIN
Then we extend a ray to the right. This is called the POLAR AXIS

5. Getting to the point… The location of a point “P” is specified by:
Distance from the pole: r
Angle measure relative to the polar axis: P r q

6. Compare r y q x Cartesian Polar (r, q) (x,y)
r = distance from pole (radius)
q = the angle the radius makes
with the polar axis
(x,y)
x = how far to go left or right
y = how far to go up or down. P P r ≈ y q x

7. Cartesian vs Polar Cartesian Coordinate System Polar Coordinate System
A point is named by a unique ordered pair (x,y)
Polar Coordinate System
A point can be named by many different ordered pairs (r, q)
Polar points are NOT unique!

8. Let’s explore . . .

9. Together let’s plot the following polar points.
Plot AND label all 4 points on the same grid.
(Use the grids in the back of the packet!)
NOTE the scale!!!

10. Together let’s plot the following polar points.
Plot AND label all 4 points on the same grid.
(Use the grids in the back of the packet!)
NOTE the scale!!!

11. Cartesian Coordinates
Single variable equations are special cases
Vertical line
Horizontal line

12. With Polar Coordinates
What happens when either r or q is a constant?
r = a q = b a b
Regardless of Distance from
the Pole (r) the Angle of
Rotation () is constant
Regardless of Angle of
Rotation () the Distance
From the Pole (r) is constant

13. Plotting a Polar Equation using a Table of Values
r = 8 sin q q r
p /6
p /3
p /2
2p /3
5p /6 p
Hint: ≈

14. Example of a Polar Equation
r = 8 sin q q r
p /6 4
p /3
6.93
p /2 8
2p /3
5p /6 p

15. Now continue on to 2p r = 8 sin q q r p 7p /6 4p /3 3p /2 5p /3 11p /6
7p /6
4p /3
3p /2
5p /3
11p /6 2p

16. Looking at our two sets of data points . . .
r = 8 sin q q r
p /6 4
p /3
6.93
p /2 8
2p /3
5p /6 p q r p
7p /6 -4
4p /3
-6.928
3p /2 -8
5p /3
11p /6 2p
The second set of plotted points are NOT new points!
Why do you think this happens?

17. Let’s explore the next problems using the calculator . . .
Polar Mode
2nd Format PolarGC
For this problem set the window:
θmin=0, θmax=2π, θstep=π/12
xmin=-2, xmax=3, xscl=1
ymin=-2, ymax=2, yscl=1

18. Now for the equation . . .
When do the points start repeating?

19. One more . . . . To smooth out the curve make the θstep smaller.
When do the points start repeating?

20. Last One . . . Adjust your window to get the graph to fit.
When do the points start repeating?