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Homework Statement
Hello!
Last week I have came here for the help related to this problem. I am creating a new thread to describe the issue more precisely. I will be grateful for your help and explanation.
I post the explanation for the book first accompanied by attached pictures, and below I post my questions.
Homework Equations
Example on how to graph the polar equation
r = 6 cos(θ)
Quote part 1:
We graph one cycle of r = 6 cos(θ) on the θr-plane and use it to help graph the equation on the xy-plane. We see that as θ ranges from 0 to π/2 , r ranges from 6 to 0. In the xy-plane, this means that the curve starts 6 units from the origin on the positive x-axis (θ = 0) and gradually returns to the origin by the time the curve reaches the y-axis (θ = π/2 ). The arrows drawn in the figure below are meant to help you visualize this process. In the θr-plane, the arrows are drawn from the θ-axis to the curve r = 6 cos(). In the xy-plane, each of these arrows starts at the origin and is rotated through the corresponding angle , in accordance with how we plot polar coordinates.
End of the quote part 1.
Picture attached.
The Attempt at a Solution
Quote part 2:
Next, we repeat the process as θ ranges from π/2 to π. Here, the r values are all negative. This means that in the xy-plane, instead of graphing in Quadrant II, we graph in Quadrant IV, with all of the angle rotations starting from the negative x-axis.
End of the quote part 2.
So, if θ = 3π/4, then r = -3√2
θ = π , then r = -6
In the first part we started at the angle θ = 0 and thus r = 6, which we plotted as x = 6; then rotating counter-clockwise as all values of r become smaller as θ approaches π/2. This is clear to me.
And now I am confused by the second part. It is said that r values are negative, so I don't understand why we plot these values along the positive x-axis and rotate clockwise. How did they come up with this rotation, what is the reason that I fail to understand? The phrase on the picture saying "r < 0 so we plot here" gives a sense that this is obvious, but not to me. Please, help me to understand it.
It seems they are plotting absolute values of r along x-axis, so all x values are positive. But how's this justified mathematically?
Here is also the next, even more confusing, quote:
As θ ranges from π to 3π/2, the r values are still negative, which means the graph is traced out in Quadrant I instead of Quadrant III.
End of quote.
Interesting. The second part stated that as values of r are negative, we have to plot in QIV; and the third quote says that as values are still negative, we obviously have to plot in QI. I am utterly confused. :) Please, help.
Thank you very much!
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