How do you find the rectangular equation for r=-6sinthetar=6sinθ?

1 Answer
Nov 12, 2016

Please see the explanation for steps leading to the equation of a circle:

(x - 0)^2 + (y - -3)^2 = 3^2(x0)2+(y3)2=32

Explanation:

Multiply both sides of the equation by r:

r^2 = -6rsin(theta)r2=6rsin(θ)

Substitute x^2 + y^2x2+y2 for r^2r2 and y for rsin(theta)rsin(θ):

x^2 + y^2 = - 6yx2+y2=6y

Add 6y + k^26y+k2 to both sides:

x^2 + y^2 + 6y + k^2 = k^2x2+y2+6y+k2=k2

Use the right side of the pattern (y - k)^2 = y^2 - 2ky + k^2(yk)2=y22ky+k2, to complete the square for the y terms:

y^2 - 2ky + k^2 = y^2 + 6y + k^2y22ky+k2=y2+6y+k2

-2ky = 6y2ky=6y

k = -3k=3 and k^2 = 9 = 3^2k2=9=32

Replace the y terms with the left side of the pattern but with k = -3k=3:

x^2 + (y - -3)^2 = k^2x2+(y3)2=k2

To put this into the standard form for a circle, substute 3^232 for k^2k2 (not 9) )and insert a -00 in the x term:

(x - 0)^2 + (y - -3)^2 = 3^2(x0)2+(y3)2=32

This is a circle with its center at (0, -3)(0,3) and a radius of 3.