<img src="https://d5nxst8fruw4z.cloudfront.net/atrk.gif?account=iA1Pi1a8Dy00ym" style="display:none" height="1" width="1" alt="" />

# Equivalent Polar Curves

## Equations that are different in appearance but produce identical graphs.

%
Progress
Progress
%
Equivalent Polar Curves

While working on a problem in math class, you get a solution with a certain equation. In this case, your solution is . Your friend comes over and tells you that he thinks he has solved the problem. However, when he shows you his paper, his equation looks different from yours. His solution is . Is there a way you can determine if the two equations are equivalent?

At the conclusion of this Concept, you'll be able to determine if the solutions of you and your friend are equivalent.

### Guidance

The expression “same only different” comes into play in this Concept. We will graph two distinct polar equations that will produce two equivalent graphs. Use your graphing calculator and create these curves as the equations are presented.

In some other Concepts, graphs were generated of a limaçon, a dimpled limaçon, a looped limaçon and a cardioid. All of these were of the form or . The easiest way to see what polar equations produce equivalent curves is to use either a graphing calculator or a software program to generate the graphs of various polar equations.

#### Example A

Plot the following polar equations and compare the graphs.

a)

b)

Solution: By looking at the graphs, the result is the same. So, even though is different in both, they have the same graph. We can assume that the sign of does not matter.

b) These functions also result in the same graph. Here, differed by a negative. So we can assume that the sign of does not change the appearance of the graph.

#### Example B

Graph the equations and . Describe the graphs.

Solution:

Both equations, one in rectangular form and one in polar form, are circles with a radius of 4 and center at the origin.

#### Example C

Graph the equations and . Describe the graphs.

Solution: There is not a visual representation shown here, but on your calculator you should see that the graphs are circles centered at (2, -2) with a radius .

### Guided Practice

1. Write the rectangular equation in polar form and graph both equations. Should they be equivalent?

2. Determine if and are equivalent without graphing.

3. Determine if and are equivalent without graphing.

Solutions:

1.

Both equations produced a circle with center and a radius of .

2. and are not equivalent because the sine has the opposite sign. will be primarily above the horizontal axis and will be mostly below. However, the two do have the same pole axis intercepts.

3. and are equivalent because the sign of "a" does not matter, nor does the sign of .

### Concept Problem Solution

As you learned in this Concept, we can compare graphs of equations to see if the equations are the same or not.

A graph of looks like this:

And a graph of looks like this:

As you can see from the plots, your friend is correct. Your graph and his are the same, therefore the equations are equivalent.

### Explore More

For each equation in rectangular form given below, write the equivalent equation in polar form.

For each equation below in polar form, write another equation in polar form that will produce the same graph.

Determine whether each of the following sets of equations produce equivalent graphs without graphing.

1. and
2. and
3. and
4. and
5. and

### Answers for Explore More Problems

To view the Explore More answers, open this PDF file and look for section 6.8.