How do you graph r=2-4costheta?

1 Answer
Nov 16, 2016

theta in (pi/3, 5/3pi), t in (0, 6), symmetrical about the initial line and the shape is cardioid-like. The graph inserted is for the cartesian equivalent.

Explanation:

r=2-4 cos theta >=0 to cos theta <=1/2 to theta in (pi/3, 5/3pi)

r(theta) is periodic, with period 2pi.

As cos (-theta) = cos theta, the graph is symmetrical about

theta=0.

So, a Table for theta in (pi/3, pi) is sufficient, for realizing the whole

graph.

(r, theta): (0, pi/3) (2, pi/2) (4, 2/3pi) (6, pi)

The inserted graph was obtained by using the cartesian equivalent

x^2+y^2+4x=2sqrt(x^2+y^2)

graph{x^2+y^2+4x-2sqrt(x^2+y^2)=0 [-10, 10, -5, 5]}