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How do you write the polar equations for #y^2=2x#?

1 Answer

Dec 3, 2015

#r^2 sin^2(theta) = 2rcos(theta)#

Explanation:

In polar coordinates, the coordinates are

#x=rcos(theta)#
#y=rsin(theta)#

So,

#y^2=2x \to r^2 sin^2(theta) = 2rcos(theta)#

If #r \ne 0# (which means #(x,y)\ne (0,0)#, we can simplify one #r# and have

#rsin^2(theta)=2cos(theta)#

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