Education Technology

Limacon Curve

Subject Area
Math: Precalculus: Polar Equations
Math: AP Precalculus: Trigonometric and Polar Functions
Level
9-12
Activity Time
50 Minutes
TI Calculator
TI-Nspire™ CX series
TI-Nspire Version
5.4
Resource Types
Lessons
Format
TNS

Limacon Curve

Activity Overview

In this activity, students will observe different graphs of polar limaçon curves. Students will discover four different types of limaçon curves and their relationship to the ratio of a to b.

About the Lesson

In this activity, students begin by exploring limaçon graphs in the form r = a ± b sin(q) or r = a ± b cos(q). Students will view several cardioids to see the effects of a and b on the graphs. Students will also explore what effects addition and subtraction have on the graph, as well as sine versus cosine.

For students preparing for the AP Precalculus exam, an optional "AP Practice Questions" document is available for download. 

Subject Area
Math: Precalculus: Polar Equations
Math: AP Precalculus: Trigonometric and Polar Functions
Level
9-12
Activity Time
50 Minutes
TI Calculator
TI-Nspire™ CX series
TI-Nspire Version
5.4
Resource Types
Lessons
Format
TNS
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