# Math Help - Identify the surface whose equation is given in spherical coordinates

1. ## Identify the surface whose equation is given in spherical coordinates

Sorry I don't know how to write a nice looking equation on here so, this is the question:

rho^2 (sin^(2) (phi) * sin^(2) (theta) + cos^(2) (phi)) = 9

What surface is this?

2. Originally Posted by Susaluda
Sorry I don't know how to write a nice looking equation on here so, this is the question:

rho^2 (sin^(2) (phi) * sin^(2) (theta) + cos^(2) (phi)) = 9

What surface is this?
Just to clarify, this is:

$\rho^2 \big(\sin^2 (\phi) \sin^2(\theta) + \cos^2(\phi)\big) = 9$

3. Yes, that's right.

4. Originally Posted by Susaluda
Yes, that's right.
Are you away that, to convert from spherical to cartesian coordinates, you use the following:

$x = \rho \cos(\phi) \sin(\theta)$

$y = \rho \sin(\phi) \sin(\theta)$

$z = \rho \cos(\theta)$

5. Originally Posted by Mush
Just to clarify, this is:

$\rho^2 \big(\sin^2 (\phi) \sin^2(\theta) + \cos^2(\phi)\big) = 9$
Well, if we consider spherical polar coords (US version)

$
x = \rho \cos \theta \sin \phi,\;\;
y = \rho \sin \theta \sin \phi,\;\;
z = \rho \cos \phi
$

then I believe it's a cylinder $y^2 +z^2 = 9$

6. Wow, yeah, ok I don't know how I didn't realize that :P Thanks to both of you!