How to trace the curve (x^2+y^2)x=ay^2, a>0 stating all the properties used in the process?

1 Answer
May 22, 2017

See below

Explanation:

The best way is to do it with the help of polar coordinates.

{(x = r costheta),(y=r sintheta):}

substituting

r^2cdotrcostheta=a r^2sin^2theta or for r gt 0

r=a sintheta tantheta

we can compute easily some values for r given theta

((theta,0,pi/4,pi/2),(r,0,sqrt(2)/2,oo))

We know also that the curve is symmetric regarding the x=0 axis having also a vertical asymptote at x = a because

y^2=x^3/(a-x)

Attached a plot for a = 2

enter image source here