How do you find an equivalent equation of #x^2 + 4y^2 = 4# in polar coordinates?

1 Answer
Apr 11, 2018

#r^2=4/(cos^2theta+4sin^2theta)#

#r=sqrt(4/(cos^2theta+4sin^2theta))=2/sqrt(cos^2theta+4sin^2theta)#

Explanation:

We'll use the two formulae:
#x=rcostheta#
#y=rsintheta#

#x^2=r^2cos^2theta#
#y^2=r^2sin^2theta#

#r^2cos^2theta+4r^2sin^2theta=4#

#r^2(cos^2theta+4sin^2theta)=4#

#r^2=4/(cos^2theta+4sin^2theta)#

#r=sqrt(4/(cos^2theta+4sin^2theta))=2/sqrt(cos^2theta+4sin^2theta)#