The general form for a limacon is #r=a+bcostheta# or #r=a+bsintheta#. When will a limacon have a dimple?

1 Answer
Shwetank Mauria
Apr 8, 2018

Please see below.

Explanation:

Observe that we can write #r=a+bcostheta# as

#r=a+bsin(pi/2-theta)#

Hence, there is not much of a difference and either can represent a limacon. However, general form used is #r=a+bcostheta#.

If the equation is #r=a+bcostheta#

Limacon will have a dimple if #b < a < 2b#

Additional Information - Limacon will have inner loop if #b=2a#

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