Education Technology


Limaçons: A Polar Investigation

Activity Overview

This activity allows students to investigate the properties of limaçons in the polar forms of both r =a +b*sin(θ) and r =a+b*cos(θ). Using a slider, values of a and b change as students investigate looped or flattened limaçons, as well as, cardioids. Students examine symmetry and the effect of the change in values of a and b on the shape of these curves.

Before the Activity

Student need to understand how to graph polar equations.