Education Technology

Polar Graphs

Subject Area
Math: Calculus: Parametric Equations and Polar Coordinates
Math: AP Calculus: AP Calculus
Level
9-12
Activity Time
45 Minutes
Software
TI-Nspire™ CX CAS
TI-Nspire™ CX
TI Calculator
TI-Nspire™ CX series
TI-Nspire™ CX CAS/CX II CAS
TI-Nspire™ Apps for iPad®
TI-Nspire Version
5.4
Resource Types
Lessons
Format
TNS

Polar Graphs

Activity Overview

Relate polar coordinates to rectangular coordinates and plot polar functions.

Objectives

  • Relate polar coordinates to rectangular coordinates and to plot polar functions having the form r = f(θ) with background polar "graph paper" on screen

About the Lesson

Many students' first introduction to polar coordinates comes in their study of calculus. Rectangular graph paper has grid lines that are associated with constant values of x or y, the rectangular coordinates (x, y). Polar graph paper has grid lines that are associated with constant values of r or θ, the polar coordinates (r, θ).

Subject Area
Math: Calculus: Parametric Equations and Polar Coordinates
Math: AP Calculus: AP Calculus
Level
9-12
Activity Time
45 Minutes
Software
TI-Nspire™ CX CAS
TI-Nspire™ CX
TI Calculator
TI-Nspire™ CX series
TI-Nspire™ CX CAS/CX II CAS
TI-Nspire™ Apps for iPad®
TI-Nspire Version
5.4
Resource Types
Lessons
Format
TNS
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