TRACING OF CURVES

Polar form
TRACING OF A POLAR CURVE

List of points to be examined

 Symmetry

 Tangents at the pole

 Asymptotes of the curve

 Points of intersection

 Direction of the tangent

 Sign of derivatives

 Loops

 Region of Existence
SYMMETRY:

 Symmetrical about the line 𝜃 = 0 :

 If the equation remains unaltered when 𝜃 is replaced by −𝜃.

 In other words if , 𝑓 𝑟, −𝜃 = 𝑓 𝑟, 𝜃
Example : 𝑟 = 𝑎(1 ± 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃)
SYMMETRY:
𝜋
 Symmetrical about the line 𝜃 = : 2
 If the equation remains unaltered when 𝜃 is replaced by π − 𝜃.

 In other words if , 𝑓 𝑟, 𝜋 − 𝜃 = 𝑓(𝑟, 𝜃).

Example : 𝑟 = 𝑎(1 ± 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃)

SYMMETRY:

 Symmetrical about the pole :

 If the equation remains unaltered when 𝑟 is replaced by −r. If
the equation contains even powers of 𝑟.

 In other words if , 𝑓 −𝑟, 𝜃 = 𝑓(𝑟, 𝜃).

Example : 𝑟 2 = 𝑎𝑐𝑜𝑠2𝜃
SYMMETRY:

 Symmetrical about the pole :

 If the equation remains unaltered when θ is replaced by π + θ.

 In other words if , 𝑓 𝑟, 𝜃 = 𝑓(𝑟, 𝜋 + 𝜃).

Example : 𝑟 = 4𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃
SYMMETRY:
𝜋
 Symmetrical about the line 𝜃 = : 4
𝜋
 If the equation remains unaltered when θ is replaced by − θ.
2

𝜋
 In other words if , 𝑓 𝑟, 𝜃 = 𝑓 𝑟, − 𝜃 .
2
SYMMETRY:

3𝜋
 Symmetrical about the line 𝜃 = 4
:
3𝜋
 If the equation remains unaltered when θ is replaced by − θ.
2
3𝜋
 In other words if , 𝑓 𝑟, 𝜃 = 𝑓 𝑟, −𝜃 .
2
POLE :
If 𝑟 = 𝑓 𝜃1 = 0 for some 𝜃 = 𝜃1 = constant then the curve passes
through the pole and the tangent at the pole is 𝜃 = 𝜃1 .
 At 𝜃 = 𝜋, 𝑟 2 = 4𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝜃 = 0. Therefore the curve through
the pole and 𝜃 = 𝜋 is the tangent at the pole.

 At 𝜃 = 𝜋 4 , 𝑟 2 = 4𝑐𝑜𝑠2𝜃 = 0. Therefore the curve through the

pole and 𝜃 = 𝜋 4 is the tangent at the pole.
ASYMPTOTE :

An asymptote to the curve exists if

 lim 𝑟 = ∞
𝜃→𝜃1

 It is given by the equation

1
 𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃 − 𝜃1 = 𝑓 ′ (𝜃1 ) where 𝜃1 is the solution of =0.
𝑓(𝜃)

 Example : For the curve, 𝑟 2 𝑐𝑜𝑠2𝜃 = 𝑎2 , the asymptotes are

𝜋
𝜃=±
4
POINTS OF INTERSECTION :

The points of intersection of the curve with the initial line , the line
𝜋 3𝜋
𝜃 = 𝜋/2, the line 𝜃 = and the line 𝜃 = can be obtained by
4 4
𝜋 𝜋 3𝜋
putting 𝜃 = 0 , 𝜃 = ,𝜃 = and 𝜃 = respectively in the given
2 4 4
equation.
POINTS OF INTERSECTION :

Examples :

1. The curve 𝑟 = 𝑎 1 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 intersects

 the line 𝜃 = 0 at 2𝑎, 0
 the line 𝜃 = 𝜋 at 0, 𝜋
𝜋 𝜋
 the line 𝜃 = at 𝑎,
2 2
3𝜋 3𝜋
 the line 𝜃 = at 𝑎,
2 2
POINTS OF INTERSECTION :

Examples :

2. The curve 𝑟 = 𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝜃 intersects

𝜋 𝜋
 the line 𝜃 = at 𝑎,
4 4

3𝜋 3𝜋
 the line 𝜃 = at 𝑎,
4 4
REGION OR EXTENT:

 If 𝑎 and 𝑏 are the least and greatest values of 𝑟 such

that 𝑎 < 𝑟 < 𝑏 then the curve lies in the annulus
region between the two circles of radii 𝑎 and 𝑏.

Example : For the curve 𝑟 = 𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝜃, since maximum

value of 𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝜃 is 1, the curve lies within the circle
𝑟 = 𝑎.
REGION OR EXTENT:

 The curve does not exist for those values of 𝜃 at which

𝑟 is imaginary.

Example : For the curve 𝑟 2 = 𝑎2 𝑐𝑜𝑠2𝜃, in the interval

𝜋 3𝜋
< 𝜃 < , 𝑐𝑜𝑠2𝜃 is negative and hence 𝑟 is
4 2
imaginary.
Therefore the curve does not exist in this region.

 For equations involving periodic functions generally 𝜃

varies from 0 to 2𝜋.
DIRECTION OF THE TANGENT :

 Determine ∅ where ∅ is the angle between

the radius vector and the tangent using
𝑑𝜃
𝑡𝑎𝑛∅ = 𝑟
𝑑𝑟

 The angle ∅ gives the direction of the

tangent at the point of intersection.
DERIVATIVE :

𝑑𝑟
 If > 0, then the curve increases.
𝑑𝜃

𝑑𝑟
 If < 0, then the curve decreases.
𝑑𝜃
LOOP :

Example : The curve intersects the initial line at the points

A(0,0) and 𝐵 𝑎, 0 . Also the curve is symmetric about the
initial line. Hence a loop of the curve exists between the
points A and B.
NOTE :

If the curve,

 intersects any line at the points A and B,

 is symmetric about that line

Then a loop of the curve exists between the points A and B.

Curves of the type 𝑟 = asin(𝑛𝜃) and 𝑟 = acos(𝑛𝜃) (are

called roses) consist of either 𝑛 and 2𝑛 similar loops (also
called as leaves) according as 𝑛 is odd or even.
EXAMPLES :

1. 𝑟 = 𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝜃
EXAMPLES :

2. 𝑟 = 𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑛3𝜃
EXAMPLES :

3. 𝑟 = 𝑎𝑐𝑜𝑠3𝜃
THREE LEAVED ROSE : 𝑟 = 𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑛3𝜃

1. Symmetry:
𝜋
Curve is symmetric about the line 𝜃 = passing through
2
the pole.

2. Asymptote:
No asymptote since 𝑟 is always finite for 𝜃.
THREE LEAVED ROSE : 𝑟 = 𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑛3𝜃

3. Pole & tangents at the pole:

The curve passes through the pole when 𝑟 = 𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑛3𝜃 = 0
𝜋 2𝜋 4𝜋 5𝜋
i.e. when 𝜃 = 0, , , 𝜋, , . The tangents to the curve at the
3 3 3 3
𝜋 2𝜋 4𝜋 5𝜋
pole are given by 𝜃 = 0, 𝜃 = , 𝜃 = , 𝜃 = 𝜋, 𝜃 = , 𝜃 = .
3 3 3 3

4. Intersection:
𝜋
Curve meets the line 𝜃 = at 𝑟 = −𝑎.
2
THREE LEAVED ROSE : 𝑟 = 𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑛3𝜃
𝑑𝜃
5.Direction of the tangent : 𝑡𝑎𝑛∅ = 𝑟 .
𝑑𝑟

1
 tan∅ = tan3𝜃.
3
1 3𝜋 𝜋
 At point(-a,π/2), 𝑡𝑎𝑛∅= tan → ∞, ∅ = .Thus , the tangent
3 2 2
𝜋
is perpendicular to the line 𝜃 = .
2

6. Region :
Maximum value of 𝑟 is 𝑎. So the curve lies within the circle
𝑟 = 𝑎. For n=3 the curve consists of 3 loops.
THREE LEAVED ROSE : 𝑟 = 𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑛3𝜃
2𝜋
7. Variation of 𝒓&𝜽(period of the function is 𝑇 = )
3

𝜽 0 𝝅 𝝅 𝝅 𝝅 𝝅 𝟓𝝅 𝝅 𝟕𝝅 𝟐𝝅
𝟑 𝟏𝟐 𝟔 𝟒 𝟑 𝟏𝟐 𝟐 𝟏𝟐 𝟑
3𝜃 0 𝝅 𝝅 𝝅 𝟑𝝅 𝜋 𝟓𝝅 𝟑𝝅 𝟕𝝅 2𝜋
𝟒 𝟐 𝟒 𝟒 𝟐 𝟒
𝑟 0 0 .7a a .7a 0 -.7a -a -.7a 0
THREE LEAVED ROSE : 𝑟 = 𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
FOUR LEAVED ROSE : 𝒓 = 𝒂𝒄𝒐𝒔𝟐𝜽, 𝒂 ≻ 𝟎
1. Symmetry :

a. Curve is symmetric about the initial line since 𝑟 −𝜃 = 𝑟(𝜃)

𝜋
b. Curve is symmetric about the line 𝜃 = since
2
𝑟 𝜋 − 𝜃 = a 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜋 − 𝜃 = 𝑎𝑐𝑜𝑠2θ = 𝑟 θ .

2. Asymptote:

No asymptote since 𝑟 is always finite for 𝜃

FOUR LEAVED ROSE :𝒓 = 𝒂𝒄𝒐𝒔𝟐𝜽
3. Pole & tangents at the pole:

The curve passes through the pole when 𝑟 = 𝑎𝑐𝑜𝑠2𝜃 = 0

𝜋 3𝜋 5𝜋 7𝜋
i.e. when 𝜃 = , , , . The tangents to the curve at the pole
4 4 4 4
𝜋 3𝜋 5𝜋 7𝜋
are given by 𝜃 = , 𝜃 = , 𝜃 = 𝜋, 𝜃 = , 𝜃 = .
4 4 4 4

4. Intersection:

Points of intersection of the curve with the initial line are

𝜋
(a,0) & (-a, 𝜋 ) . The points of intersection with the line 𝜃 = are
2
𝜋 3𝜋
𝑎, & 𝑎, .
2 2
FOUR LEAVED ROSE :𝒓 = 𝒂𝒄𝒐𝒔𝟐𝜽
5. Direction of the tangent :
𝑑𝜃
 𝑡𝑎𝑛∅ = 𝑟 .
𝑑𝑟
1
 𝑡𝑎𝑛∅ = − 𝑐𝑜𝑡2θ.
2
1 𝜋
 At point (a,0) , 𝑡𝑎𝑛∅ = − cot 0 →→ ∞, ∅ = .
2 2
 Thus, the tangent is perpendicular to the initial line.

6. Region :
 Maximum value of 𝑟 is 𝑎. So the curve lies within the circle

𝑟 = 𝑎.
 For n=2 the curve consists of 4 loops.
FOUR LEAVED ROSE :𝒓 = 𝒂𝒄𝒐𝒔𝟐𝜽

7. Variation of 𝒓&𝜽(period of the function is 𝑇 = 𝜋)

𝜽 0 𝝅 𝝅 𝟑𝝅 𝝅 𝟓𝝅 𝟑𝝅 𝟕𝝅 𝝅
𝟑 𝟒 𝟖 𝟐 𝟖 𝟒 𝟖
2𝜃 0 𝝅 𝝅 𝟑𝝅 𝜋 𝟓𝝅 𝟑𝝅 𝟕𝝅 2𝜋
𝟒 𝟐 𝟒 𝟒 𝟐 𝟒
𝑟 a .7a 0 -.7a -a -.7a 0 .7a a
FOUR LEAVED ROSE :𝒓 = 𝒂𝒄𝒐𝒔𝟐𝜽
LIMACON

 Limacons are polar curves whose equations are of the

form
 r = a+bsin 𝜽 , r= a-bsin 𝜽,
 𝑟 = 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜽, r= a-bcos 𝜽 with a>0 ,b>0.

We get
 a Limacon with inner loop if a<b;

 Cardiod if a=b;

 Dimpled Limacon if a>b.

For the curve 𝑟 = 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜽 (Limacon of pascal) we

consider the three cases a<b, a=b, a>b
LIMACON : 𝑟 = 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 , 𝒂 > 𝟎, 𝒃 > 𝟎

Case 1 : 𝑎 < 𝑏

1. Symmetry : Curve is symmetric about the initial line 𝜃 = 0.

2. Asymptote : No asymptote since 𝑟 is always finite for 𝜃.

3. Pole & tangents at the pole : It lies on the curve.

−𝑎 −1 −𝑎
If r = 0 , cos 𝜃 = > -1. Therefore 𝜃 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 is the tangent
𝑏 𝑏
at origin.

4. Intersection : Curve meets the initial line 𝜃 = 0,

𝜋 𝜋
𝜃= , 𝜃 = π 𝑎𝑡 (a+b,0), 𝑎, & (𝑎 − b, π) respectively .
2 2
LIMACON : 𝑟 = 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 , 𝒂 > 𝟎, 𝒃 > 𝟎
𝑑𝜃
5. Direction of the tangent : 𝑡𝑎𝑛∅ = 𝑟
𝑑𝑟
𝑎+𝑏𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃
 𝑡𝑎𝑛∅ =
−𝑏𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 𝜋
 At point (a+b,0); 𝑡𝑎𝑛∅ → ∞, ∅ = 2 .
Thus, the tangent is perpendicular to the initial line .

𝜋 −1 −𝑎
 At point 𝑎,; ∅=
2
𝑡𝑎𝑛 = 𝜋 − 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 𝑎𝑏
𝑏
Thus the tangent makes an angle 𝜋 − 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 𝑎𝑏 with the
𝜋
line 𝜃 = .
2

𝜋
 At point (𝑎 − b, π) (2a, π); 𝑡𝑎𝑛∅ → ∞, ∅ = .
2
Thus the tangent is perpendicular to the line 𝜃 = π.
LIMACON : 𝑟 = 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 , 𝒂 > 𝟎, 𝒃 > 𝟎

6. Region:
Minimum value of 𝑟 = 𝑎 − 𝑏 < 0, thus r is negative for
some values of 𝜃.

7.Variations of r and 𝜽:
LIMACON : 𝑟 = 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 , 𝒂 > 𝟎, 𝒃 > 𝟎

 Here a-b<0.

 Therefore for some values of 𝜽, r is

negative.

 Thus a smaller loop exists between 0 and C.

LIMACON : 𝑟=𝑎+𝑏𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 , 𝒂>𝟎, 𝒃>𝟎
CASE 2 : 𝑎 = 𝑏
CARDIOID: 𝒓 = 𝒂(𝟏 − 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽)
1.Symmetry: Curve is symmetric about the initial line

2. Pole & tangents at the pole: The curve passes through

the pole since 𝑟 = 𝑎 1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = 0 .The tangent to the
curve at pole is 𝜃 = 0

3. Asymptote: No asymptote since 𝑟 is always finite for 𝜃

4. Intersection: Curve meets the initial line at (0,0) &

𝜋 𝜋 3𝜋
(2a, 𝜋 ) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑚𝑒𝑒𝑡𝑠 𝜃 = at 𝑎, & 𝑎,
2 2 2
CARDIOID: 𝒓 = 𝒂(𝟏 − 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽)
𝑑𝜃
5. Direction of the tangent: 𝑡𝑎𝑛∅ = 𝑟
𝑑𝑟
𝑑𝜃 𝜃 𝜃
 𝑡𝑎𝑛∅ = 𝑟 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛 →∅=
𝑑𝑟 2 2

 At point(a,π/2); ∅=π/4, thus the tangent

𝜋
makes an angle π/4 with the line 𝜃 = .
2

 At point (2a, π); ∅=π/2, thus the tangent is

perpendicular to the line 𝜃 = π.
CARDIOID: 𝒓 = 𝒂(𝟏 − 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽)

6. Region :
 Since minimum value of 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = −1 , the
maximum value of r is 2a.

 Thus, the whole curve lies within a circle

with centre at the pole and radius 2a.
CARDIOID: 𝒓 = 𝒂(𝟏 − 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽)

7. Variation of 𝒓&𝜽(period of the function

is 𝑇=2𝜋 )
CARDIOID: 𝒓 = 𝒂(𝟏 − 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽)
LIMACON 𝑟 = 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃, 𝑎 > 0, 𝑏 > 0
CASE 3: 𝑎 > 𝑏

1.Symmetry: Curve is symmetric about the initial line 𝜃 = 0.

2. Asymptote: No asymptote since 𝑟 is always finite for 𝜃.

−𝑎
3. Pole : It does not lie on the curve. If r = 0 ,cos 𝜃 = < -1 which
𝑏
is not possible. Thus r ≠ 0 for any values of 𝜃.

4. Intersection: Curve meets the initial line 𝜃 = 0,

𝜋 𝜋
𝜃= , 𝜃 = π 𝑎𝑡 (a+b,0), 𝑎, & (𝑎 − b, π) respectively.
2 2
LIMACON 𝑟 = 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃, 𝑎 > 𝑏
𝑑𝜃
5. Direction of the tangent: 𝑡𝑎𝑛∅ = 𝑟
𝑑𝑟
𝑎+𝑏𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃
 𝑡𝑎𝑛∅ =
−𝑏𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃

𝜋
 At point (a+b,0); 𝑡𝑎𝑛∅ → ∞, ∅ = 2 .
Thus, the tangent is perpendicular to the initial line .

𝜋 −𝑎
 At point (𝑎, 2 ) ; ∅ = 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 𝑏 = 𝜋 − 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 𝑎
𝑏
𝑎
Thus the tangent makes an angle 𝜋 − 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 𝑏
with the
𝜋
line 𝜃 = .
2

𝜋
 At point (𝑎 − b, π) (2a, π); 𝑡𝑎𝑛∅ → ∞, ∅ = .
2
Thus the tangent is perpendicular to the line 𝜃 = π.
LIMACON 𝑟 = 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃, 𝑎 > 𝑏
6. Region : Since minimum value of cos 𝜃 = -1 , the
minimum value of r is a-b. Curve lies with in a circle of
radius a+b since cos 𝜃 maximum value is 1.

7. Variation of 𝒓&𝜽 :
LIMACON 𝑟 = 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃, 𝑎 > 𝑏