Question #a86e3

2 Answers

r =(cos(theta)- sin(theta))/(cos(theta)sin(theta))

Explanation:

Let's begin by displaying a graph of the original equation y=x/(x+1):

![www.desmos.com/calculator](useruploads.socratic.org)

Multiply both sides of the equation by x+1

xy + y = x

Subtract x from both sides:

xy + y - x = 0

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

(r^2)cos(theta)sin(theta) + rsin(theta) - rcos(theta) = 0

We can divide both sides of the equation by r, because this will discard the trival root r = 0:

rcos(theta)sin(theta) + sin(theta) - cos(theta) = 0

Add cos(theta)-sin(theta) to both sides:

rcos(theta)sin(theta) =cos(theta)- sin(theta)

Divide both sides by cos(theta)sin(theta):

r =(cos(theta)- sin(theta))/(cos(theta)sin(theta))

![www.desmos.com/calculator](useruploads.socratic.org)

Please observe that the graphs are identical. This proves that the conversion has been done properly.

Oct 13, 2017

r=1/(sintheta)-1/(costheta)

Explanation:

Let's start by reminding ourselves on how polar coordinate systems work:

![tutorial.math.lamar.edu)

We can describe any point P on the plane using the distance r from that point to the center O. Then, we provide the angle theta of the line PO in accordance with the x axis.

Now to find the two parameters r, theta given the "rectangular" coordinates x, y, we need to use some trigonometry.

As you can see in the diagram above, the x, y coordinates of a point represents the length of the sides of a rectangle drawn through that point - thus "rectangular" coordinates vs "polar" coordinates.

In a right-angled triangle with legs x, y, a hypotenuse r and the angle adjacent to x as theta, we know that costheta=x/r and sintheta=y/r.

Therefore, x=rcostheta and y=rsintheta.

Now, we just plug it into y=x/(x+1) and simplify!

rsintheta=(rcostheta)/(rcostheta+1)

sintheta=(costheta)/(rcostheta+1)

costheta=sintheta(rcostheta+1)

rcostheta=(costheta)/(sintheta)-1

In terms of r we have:
r=1/(sintheta)-1/(costheta)

Therefore the equation is r=1/(sintheta)-1/(costheta)