Thread: Finding points of intersection (polar graphs)

Hey guys. I'm having trouble with the rationale used in my text regarding finding points of intersection given two polar graphs. I understand that to find the points I must set the equations equal, but then, this sometimes doesn't reveal all points of intersection. If someone would be so kind as to explain

1. why doesn't solving the system yield all points of intersection;

2. What is the best way to find these points?



I've provided an example problem so that you guys can illustrate this.

Find all points of intersectionof the graphs of the equations

and .

Thanks.

Originally Posted by VonNemo19

Hey guys. I'm having trouble with the rationale used in my text regarding finding points of intersection given two polar graphs. I understand that to find the points I must set the equations equal, but then, this sometimes doesn't reveal all points of intersection. If someone would be so kind as to explain

1. why doesn't solving the system yield all points of intersection;

2. What is the best way to find these points?



I've provided an example problem so that you guys can illustrate this.

Find all points of intersectionof the graphs of the equations

and .

Thanks.

Graphs should always be drawn because the solution to the simultaneous equations doe not always give all intersection points. This is because there is NOT a one-to-one correspondence between points and coordinates in the polar coordnate system.

For your example, the point (0, 0) corresponds to [0, -pi] on the first curve and [0, pi] on the second curve so this point will not show up when solving simultaneously (because the values of theta are different).

Originally Posted by mr fantastic

Graphs should always be drawn because the solution to the simultaneous equations doe not always give all intersection points. This is because there is NOT a one-to-one correspondence between points and coordinates in the polar coordnate system.

Wow. I can't believe that this never entered my mind. Thanks.

Originally Posted by mr fantastic

For your example, the point (0, 0) corresponds to [0, -pi] on the first curve and [0, pi] on the second curve so this point will not show up when solving simultaneously (because the values of theta are different).

So, did you first plot the graph, and then by inspection, discover this third point. Or did you find this point anlytically?

Originally Posted by mr fantastic

For your example, the point (0, 0) corresponds to [0, -pi] on the first curve and [0, pi] on the second curve so this point will not show up when solving simultaneously (because the values of theta are different).

doesn't (r, theta) = (0, -pi) => 0 = 2 on the second curve?

Originally Posted by scorpion007

doesn't (r, theta) = (0, -pi) => 0 = 2 on the second curve?

Yes. Which is the whole point of my reply! The point defined by [0, -pi] is not on the second curve and therefore the origin, which is common to both curves, cannot be found using simultaneous equations.

Originally Posted by VonNemo19

Wow. I can't believe that this never entered my mind. Thanks.



So, did you first plot the graph, and then by inspection, discover this third point. Or did you find this point anlytically?

It was obvious to me that the origin would be common to both curves.

Sorry, I meant [0, pi] on the second curve, not [0, -pi]. That was a typo.

You said that the point (0,0) corresponds to [0, pi] on the second curve, but:

r = 1 - cos(theta)
0 = 1 - cos(pi)
0 = 1 - (-1) = 2 which is false.

Did I miss the point again?

Originally Posted by scorpion007

Sorry, I meant [0, pi] on the second curve, not [0, -pi]. That was a typo.

You said that the point (0,0) corresponds to [0, pi] on the second curve, but:

r = 1 - cos(theta)
0 = 1 - cos(pi)
0 = 1 - (-1) = 2 which is false.

Did I miss the point again?

Correct, I made a typo. Here is the corrected text:

Originally Posted by mr fantastic (corrected)

[snip]
For your example, the point (0, 0) corresponds to [0, pi] on the first curve and [0, 0] on the second curve so this point will not show up when solving simultaneously (because the values of theta are different).

My point remains unchanged.