- #1
EnlightenedOne
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Homework Statement
Find the points at which the following polar equation has horizontal and vertical tangents:
r2 = 4cos(2θ)
Homework Equations
[itex]\frac{dy}{dx}[/itex] = [itex]\frac{r'(θ)sinθ + r(θ)cosθ}{r'(θ)cosθ - r(θ)sinθ}[/itex]
Horizontal Tangent: [itex]\frac{dy}{dθ}[/itex] = 0; [itex]\frac{dx}{dθ}[/itex] ≠ 0
Vertical Tangent: [itex]\frac{dx}{dθ}[/itex] = 0; [itex]\frac{dy}{dθ}[/itex] ≠ 0
The Attempt at a Solution
There is no "clean" way of solving for r (because of the +/- sqrt) so that I could find r'(θ) to use in the formula. So, I figured I would use implicit differentiation:
r2 = 4cos(2θ)
2r[itex]\frac{dr}{dθ}[/itex] = -8sin(2θ)
[itex]\frac{dr}{dθ}[/itex] = [itex]\frac{-4sin(2θ)}{r}[/itex]
But, when I plug it in the formula, I now have an r and a θ when I set the numerator and denominator of [itex]\frac{dy}{dx}[/itex] equal to zero (separately of course). I don't know what to do when I have both variables like that and I'm trying to solve for θ. How should I be approaching this problem? Have I done this problem right so far? If so, what do I do next? If not, any suggestions? Please be clear. I can't find this problem answered clearly anywhere on the internet.
Thank you