# Polar Equation to Rectangular Form

• November 8th 2009, 04:58 PM
McFroggerton
Polar Equation to Rectangular Form
Hello, I was just wondering if anyone could possibly help me convert this into rectangular form.

To make it simpler (t) = theta.

r(1+cos(t))=2

So far I have distributed the r through the equation and squared both sides:

(r+rcos(t))^2 = 2^2
r^2+2r^2cos(t)+r^2cos^2(t)=4 : From here I took out the r^2
r^2(1+2cos(t)+cos^2(t)=4 : Here is where I get stuck.

I'm not sure if I'm taking the right path or not, any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!
• November 8th 2009, 05:25 PM
skeeter
Quote:

Originally Posted by McFroggerton
Hello, I was just wondering if anyone could possibly help me convert this into rectangular form.

To make it simpler (t) = theta.

r(1+cos(t))=2

So far I have distributed the r through the equation and squared both sides:

(r+rcos(t))^2 = 2^2
r^2+2r^2cos(t)+r^2cos^2(t)=4 : From here I took out the r^2
r^2(1+2cos(t)+cos^2(t)=4 : Here is where I get stuck.

I'm not sure if I'm taking the right path or not, any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

$r + r\cos{\theta} = 2$

$\sqrt{x^2+y^2} + x = 2$