How do you convert 2y=y^2-4x^2 -2x into a polar equation?

1 Answer
Oct 16, 2016

Please see the explanation for the process.

r = 2(sin(theta) - cos(theta))/(sin^2(theta) - 4cos^2(theta))

Explanation:

Write as:

y^2 - 4x^2 - 2y - 2x = 0

Substitute rsin(theta) for every y and rcos(theta) for every x:

(rsin(theta))^2 - 4(rcos(theta))^2 - 2(rsin(theta)) - 2(rcos(theta)) = 0

Put common factors outside of the ()s:

(sin^2(theta) - 4cos^2(theta))r^2 - 2r(sin(theta) - cos(theta)) = 0

Most the second term to the right:

(sin^2(theta) - 4cos^2(theta))r^2 = 2r(sin(theta) - cos(theta))

Divide both sides by (sin^2(theta) - 4cos^2(theta))r

r = 2(sin(theta) - cos(theta))/(sin^2(theta) - 4cos^2(theta))