AP Calculus BC Name

CHAPTER 11 WORKSHEET
PARAMETRIC EQUATIONS AND POLAR COORDINATES Seat # Date

Derivatives and Equations in Polar Coordinates

1. The graphs of the polar curves 𝑟1 = 6 sin 3θ and 𝑟2 = 3
𝑟2 = 3 are shown to the right. 𝑟1 = 6 sin 3θ
(You may use your calculator for all sections of this problem.)
a) Find the coordinates of the points of intersection
π
of both curves for 0 ≤ θ < 2 . Write your
answers using polar coordinates.
b) Write the coordinates of the points of
intersection using now rectangular coordinates.

𝑑𝑟1
c) Find | . Interpret the meaning of your answer in the context of the problem.
𝑑θ θ=π
4
π
d) For 0 ≤ θ < 2 , there are two points on 𝑟1 with x-coordinate equal to 4. Find the subject
points. Express your answer using polar coordinates.
𝑑𝑦
e) Write in terms of θ an expression for , the slope of the tangent line to the graph of 𝑟1.
𝑑𝑥
f) Write in terms of 𝑥 and 𝑦 an equation for the line tangent to the graph of the curve 𝑟1 at the
π
point where θ = 4 .

2. The graph of the polar curve 𝑟 = 4 − 4 sin θ is shown to

the right.
(You may use your calculator for all sections of this problem.)
a) For 0 ≤ θ < 2π, there are two points on r with y-
coordinate equal to −4. Find the subject points.
Express your answers using polar coordinates.
b) Write an expression for the x-coordinate of each point
on the graph of 𝑟 = 4 − 4 sin θ. Express your answer
in terms of θ.
c) A particle moves along the polar curve 𝑟 = 4 − 4 sin θ
so that at time t seconds, 𝜃 = 𝑡 2 . Find the time t in
the time interval 1 ≤ 𝑡 ≤ 2 for which the x-
coordinate of the particle’s position is −1.
𝑑𝑟
d) Find | . Interpret the meaning of your answer in the context of the problem.
𝑑𝑡 𝑡=2
𝑑𝑥
e) Find | . Interpret the meaning of your answer in the context of the problem.
𝑑𝑡 𝑡=2

SEE OTHER SIDE

3. The graphs of the polar curves 𝑟1 = 4 + 3 cos θ and 𝑟2 = 2θ are shown below.

𝑟1 = 4 + 3 cos θ
𝑟
𝑟2 = 2θ

(Do NOT use your calculator for this problem unless indicated!)
a) Find the coordinates of the point of intersection of both curves for 0 ≤ θ < π. Write your
answer using polar coordinates. (You may use your calculator for this section.)
b) As the curves are traced, the distance between them, 𝑟(θ), changes (see drawing.) Find an
𝜋
expression for 𝑟(θ) the distance between both curves in the interval 0 ≤ 𝜃 ≤ 2 .
𝑑𝑟 𝑑𝑟
c) Write in terms of θ an expression for . Use your answer to find | . Interpret the
𝑑θ 𝑑θ θ=𝜋
3
meaning of your answer in the context of the problem.
𝑑𝑦
d) Write in terms of θ an expression for , the slope of the tangent line to the graph of 𝑟2 .
𝑑𝑥
e) Find the coordinates of the point where curve 𝑟2 has a horizontal tangent line in the
interval 0 < θ < π. Write your answer using rectangular coordinates. (You may use your
calculator for this section.)

4. The graph of the polar curve 𝑟 = 3 − 2 sin(2θ) for

0 ≤ θ < 2π is shown to the right.
(You may use your calculator for all sections of this problem.)
𝑑𝑦
a) Write in terms of θ an expression for , the
𝑑𝑥
slope of the tangent line to the graph of 𝑟.
b) Find the coordinates of the point where curve 𝑟
has a vertical tangent line in the interval
0 ≤ θ < π. Write your answer using polar
coordinates.
c) Write in terms of 𝑥 and 𝑦 an equation for the line
tangent to the graph of the curve 𝑟 at the point
π
where θ = . 6
𝑑𝜃
d) A particle moves along the polar curve 𝑟 = 3 − 2 sin(2θ) so that = 2 for all times 𝑡 ≥ 0.
𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑟 π
Find the value of at θ = 6 . Interpret the meaning of your answer in the context of the
𝑑𝑡
problem.
e) Assume now that for the particle whose motion was described in section (d) we have
𝜃 = 2𝑡. Find the position vector of the particle ⟨𝑥(𝑡), 𝑦(𝑡)⟩ in terms of t. Use your calculator
to find the velocity vector and the speed of the particle at 𝑡 = 1.5.
 AP Calculus BC
CHAPTER 11 WORKSHEET ANSWER KEY
PARAMETRIC EQUATIONS AND POLAR COORDINATES

Derivatives and Equations in Polar Coordinates

1. The graphs of the polar curves 𝑟1 = 6 sin 3θ and
𝑟2 = 3 are shown to the right. 𝑟1 = 6 sin 3θ
(You may use your calculator for all sections of this problem.)
a) Find the coordinates of the points of intersection
π
of both curves for 0 ≤ θ < 2 . Write your
answers using polar coordinates.
Points of intersection are collision points:
π 5π
6 sin 3θ = 3 → θ = and
18 18
Or θ ≈ 0.1745 and 0.8726
𝑟 = 3 → (3, 0.1745) and (3, 0.8726)
b) Write the coordinates of the points of intersection using now rectangular coordinates.
𝑥 = 𝑟 ∙ cos 𝜃 = 2.954
(3, 0.1745) → { → (2.954, 0.5209)
𝑦 = 𝑟 ∙ sin 𝜃 = 0.5209
𝑥 = 𝑟 ∙ cos 𝜃 = 1.928
(3, 0.8726) → { → (1.928, 2.298)
𝑦 = 𝑟 ∙ sin 𝜃 = 2.298
𝑑𝑟1
c) Find | . Interpret the meaning of your answer in the context of the problem.
𝑑θ θ=π
4
𝑑𝑟1 𝑑𝑟1
By hand: = 18 cos 3θ → | = −9√2
𝑑θ 𝑑θ θ=π
4
𝑑
Using a calculator: (6 sin 3θ)| π ≈ −12.7279
𝑑θ θ=
4
𝜋
When the graph of 𝑟1 = 6 sin 3θ is traced at 𝜃 = 4 radians the distance to the pole is
decreasing at a rate equal to 12.7279 units per radian.
π
d) For 0 ≤ θ < 2 , there are two points on 𝑟1 with x-coordinate equal to 4. Find the subject
points. Express your answer using polar coordinates.
𝑥 = 𝑟1 ∙ cos θ = 6 sin 3θ ∙ cos θ = 4 → θ ≈ 0.253 and 0.696
θ ≈ 0.253 → 𝑟1 = 6 sin(3(0.253)) = 4.1317 → (4.137, 0.253)
θ ≈ 0.696 → 𝑟1 = 6 sin(3(0.696)) = 5.213 → (5.213, 0.696)
𝑑𝑦
e) Write in terms of θ an expression for , the slope of the tangent line to the graph of 𝑟1.
𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦
𝑑𝑦 𝑑θ 3 cos 3θ sin θ + sin 3θ cos θ
= =
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 3 cos 3θ cos θ − sin 3θ sin θ
𝑑θ
f) Write in terms of 𝑥 and 𝑦 an equation for the line tangent to the graph of the curve 𝑟1 at the
π
point where θ = 4 .
𝑑𝑦 1
| π=
𝑑𝑥 θ= 2
4
𝑥 = 𝑟1 ∙ cos θ = 3 1
} → 𝑦 − 3 = (𝑥 − 3)
𝑦 = 𝑟1 ∙ sin θ = 3 2
2. The graph of the polar curve 𝑟 = 4 − 4 sin θ is
shown to the right.
(You may use your calculator for all sections of this problem.)
a) For 0 ≤ θ < 2π, there are two points on 𝑟 with y-
coordinate equal to −4. Find the subject points.
Express your answers using polar coordinates.
𝑦 = 𝑟 ∙ sin θ = (4 − 4 sin θ) sin θ = −4
→ θ ≈ 3.8078 and 5.6169
θ ≈ 3.8078 → 𝑟 = 4 − 4 sin 3.8078 = 6.472
→ (6.472, 3.8078)
θ ≈ 5.6169 → 𝑟 = 4 − 4 sin 5.6169 = 6.472
→ (6.472, 5.6169)
b) Write an expression for the x-coordinate of each point on the graph of 𝑟 = 4 − 4 sin θ.
Express your answer in terms of θ.
𝑥 = 𝑟 ∙ cos θ = (4 − 4 sin θ) cos θ
c) A particle moves along the polar curve 𝑟 = 4 − 4 sin θ so that at time t seconds,
𝜃 = 𝑡 2 . Find the time t in the time interval 1 ≤ 𝑡 ≤ 2 for which the x-coordinate of the
particle’s position is −1.
𝑥 = (4 − 4 sin 𝑡 2 ) cos 𝑡 2 = −1 → 𝑡 ≈ 1.5536
𝑑𝑟
d) Find | . Interpret the meaning of your answer in the context of the problem.
𝑑𝑡 𝑡=2
𝑟 = 4 − 4 sin 𝑡 2
𝑑𝑟 𝑑𝑟
By hand: = −8𝑡 cos 𝑡 2 → | = −16 cos 4
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑡=2
𝑑
Using a calculator: (4 − 4 sin 𝑡 2 )| ≈ 10.458
𝑑𝑡 𝑡=2
As the particle moves on the graph of 𝑟 = 4 − 4 sin θ, when 𝑡 = 2 seconds the distance to
the pole is increasing at a rate equal to 10.458 units per second.
𝑑𝑥
e) Find | . Interpret the meaning of your answer in the context of the problem.
𝑑𝑡 𝑡=2
𝑑
Using a calculator: ((4 − 4 sin 𝑡 2 ) cos 𝑡 2 )| ≈ 14.4368
𝑑𝑡 𝑡=2
As the particle moves on the graph of 𝑟 = 4 − 4 sin θ, when 𝑡 = 2 seconds the particle
moves to the right with a horizontal speed equal to 14.4368 units per second.
3. The graphs of the polar curves 𝑟1 = 4 + 3 cos θ and 𝑟2 = 2θ are shown below.

𝑟1 = 4 + 3 cos θ
𝑟
𝑟2 = 2θ

(Do NOT use your calculator for this problem unless indicated!)
a) Find the coordinates of the point of intersection of both curves for 0 ≤ θ < π. Write your
answer using polar coordinates. (You may use your calculator for this section.)
The point of intersection is also a collision point:
4 + 3 cos θ = 2θ → θ ≈ 1.7429
𝑟 = 2(1.7429) = 3.4859 → (3.4859, 1.7429)
b) As the curves are traced, the distance between them, 𝑟(θ), changes (see drawing.) Find an
𝜋
expression for 𝑟(θ) the distance between both curves in the interval 0 ≤ 𝜃 ≤ 2 .
𝑟(θ) = 𝑟1 − 𝑟2 = 4 + 3 cos θ − 2θ
𝑑𝑟 𝑑𝑟
c) Write in terms of θ an expression for . Use your answer to find | . Interpret the
𝑑θ 𝑑θ θ=𝜋
3
meaning of your answer in the context of the problem.
𝑑𝑟 𝑑𝑟 3√3
= −3 sin θ − 2 → | 𝜋 = − −2
𝑑θ 𝑑θ θ= 2
3
𝜋
When the graphs of 𝑟1 = 6 sin 3θ and 𝑟2 = 2θ are traced at 𝜃 = radians the distance
3
3√3
between the two graphs is decreasing at a rate equal to − − 2 units per radian.
2
𝑑𝑦
d) Write in terms of θ an expression for , the slope of the tangent line to the graph of 𝑟2 .
𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦
𝑑𝑦 𝑑θ sin θ + θ cos θ
= =
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 cos θ − θ sin θ
𝑑θ
e) Find the coordinates of the point where curve 𝑟2 has a horizontal tangent line in the
interval 0 < θ < π. Write your answer using rectangular coordinates. (You may use your
calculator for this section.)
𝑑𝑦
= 0 → sin θ + θ cos θ = 0 → θ ≈ 2.0287
𝑑𝑥
𝑟 = 2(2.0287) = 4.0575
𝑥 = 𝑟 ∙ cos 𝜃 = −1.7939
{ → (−1.7939, 3.639)
𝑦 = 𝑟 ∙ sin 𝜃 = 3.639
4. The graph of the polar curve 𝑟 = 3 − 2 sin(2θ) for
0 ≤ θ < 2π is shown to the right.
(You may use your calculator for all sections of this problem.)
𝑑𝑦
a) Write in terms of θ an expression for , the
𝑑𝑥
slope of the tangent line to the graph of 𝑟.
𝑑𝑦
𝑑𝑦 𝑑θ −4 cos 2𝜃 sin θ + (3 − 2 sin(2𝜃)) cos θ
= =
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 −4 cos 2𝜃 cos θ − (3 − 2 sin(2𝜃)) sin θ
𝑑θ
b) Find the coordinates of the point where curve 𝑟
has a vertical tangent line in the interval
0 ≤ θ < π. Write your answer using polar
coordinates.
𝑑𝑦
is undefined → −4 cos 2𝜃 cos θ − (3 − 2 sin(2𝜃)) sin θ = 0 → θ ≈ 2.670
𝑑𝑥
𝑟 = 3 − 2 sin(2(2.670)) = 4.6177 → (4.6177, 2.670)
c) Write in terms of 𝑥 and 𝑦 an equation for the line tangent to the graph of the curve 𝑟 at the
π
point where θ = . 6
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦 3√3 − 5
| ≈ −0.041 (by hand: | π= )
𝑑𝑥 θ=π 𝑑𝑥 θ= −3 − √3
6 6
3√3 − 3
𝑥 = 𝑟 ∙ cos θ = = 1.098
2 → 𝑦 − 0.6339 = −0.041(𝑥 − 1.098)
3 − √3
𝑦 = 𝑟 ∙ sin θ = = 0.6339
2 }
𝑑𝜃
d) A particle moves along the polar curve 𝑟 = 3 − 2 sin(2θ) so that = 2 for all times 𝑡 ≥ 0.
𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑟 π
Find the value of at θ = 6 . Interpret the meaning of your answer in the context of the
𝑑𝑡
problem.
𝑑𝑟 𝑑𝑟 𝑑θ
= ∙ = (−4 cos(2θ))(2)
𝑑𝑡 𝑑θ 𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑟
| = −4
𝑑𝑡 𝜃=𝜋
6
As the particle moves on the graph of 𝑟 = 3 − 2 sin(2θ), when it is at the point where
π
θ = 6 radians the distance to the pole is decreasing at a rate equal to 4 units per second.
e) Assume now that for the particle whose motion was described in section (d) we have
𝜃 = 2𝑡. Find the position vector of the particle ⟨𝑥(𝑡), 𝑦(𝑡)⟩ in terms of t. Use your calculator
to find the velocity vector and the speed of the particle at 𝑡 = 1.5.
𝑥 = 𝑟 ∙ cos θ = (3 − 2 sin(4𝑡)) cos(2𝑡)
} → ⟨(3 − 2 sin(4𝑡)) cos(2𝑡) , (3 − 2 sin(4𝑡)) sin(2𝑡)⟩
𝑦 = 𝑟 ∙ sin θ = (3 − 2 sin(4𝑡)) sin(2𝑡)
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦
Velocity vector: ⟨ | , | ⟩ = ⟨6.600, −8.130⟩
𝑑𝑡 𝑡=1.5 𝑑𝑡 𝑡=1.5
2 2
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦
Speed: √( | ) +( | ) = 10.472
𝑑𝑡 𝑡=1.5 𝑑𝑡 𝑡=1.5