How do you graph the polar equation 3=rcos(θ+90)?

1 Answer
Nov 15, 2016

Draw a horizontal line that crosses the y-axis at -3.

Explanation:

Use the sum of two angles identity:

cos(a+b)=cos(a)cos(b)sin(a)sin(b)

To discover that:

cos(θ+90)=sin(θ)

Make that substitution:

3=rsin(θ)

Flip and multiply by -1

rsin(θ)=3

Substitute y for rsin(θ):

y=3

Draw a horizontal line that crosses the y-axis at -3.