Education Technology


Limaçon 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.

Key Steps

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    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.

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    Students will also explore what effects addition and subtraction have on the graph, as well as sine versus cosine.