How do you graph #r=2+sin theta#?

1 Answer
Oct 28, 2016

In #[0. pi]#, the graph crowns over the circle r = 2. In #[pi, 2pi]#, it hangs from the circle. The maximum distance from the circle, either way, is 1 unit.

Explanation:

#r(theta)# is periodic, with period #2pi# in #theta#.

The Table for one period #theta in [0, 2pi] is sufficient.

#(r, theta)#:

#(2, 0), (2+1/sqrt2, pi/4) (3, pi/2), (2+1/sqrt2, 3/4pi) (2, pi)#

#(2-1/sqrt2, 5/4pi) (1, 3/2pi) (2-1/sqrt2, 7/4pi) (2, 2pi)# #

Altogether this graph is a wave, twining around a circle.

graph{x^2 + y^2 - 2sqrt(x^2 + y^2) - y = 0}

Credit for the graphs goes to Socratic.

graph{(x^2 + y^2)^1.5 - 2(x^2 + y^2) - 2xy = 0}

The second graph is for #r = 2 + sin (2theta)#

graph{(x^2 + y^2)^2 - 2(x^2 + y^2)^1.5 - 3(x^2y-xy^2) = 0}

The third is for #r = 2 + sin (3theta)#

graph{(x^2 + y^2)^2.5 - 2(x^2 + y^2)^2 -4(x^3y-xy^3) = 0}

The fourth is for #r = 2 + sin (4theta)#