Analysis of Planar Curves


This section contains documents created from scanned original files and other
documents that could not be made accessible to screen reader software. A "#"
symbol is used to denote such documents.

Lecture Notes

Document PDF
Section 1, Page 1 to page 2

Representing Cartesian coordinate curves using explicit and implicit forms. Representing curves using parametric equations which define x and y in terms of a third variable. Includes examples of parametric equations for a circle, ellipse, and projectile fired at an angle.

Instructor: Prof. Jason Starr
Prior Knowledge: None
Back to Top
Document PDF
Section 2, Page 2 to page 3

Finding implicit forms for parameterized curves. Uses examples from the previous section of the notes.

Instructor: Prof. Jason Starr
Prior Knowledge: Parametric equations (section 1 of this lecture)
Back to Top
Document PDF
Section 3, Page 5 to page 6

Definition, with examples of circles and a horizontal line defined in polar coordinates.

Instructor: Prof. Jason Starr
Prior Knowledge: Parametric equations (section 1 of lecture 21)
Back to Top

Online Textbook Chapter

Document Document

Using parametric equations to define a curve in two or three dimensions and properties of parametric equations.

Instructor: Prof. Daniel J. Kleitman
Prior Knowledge: None
Back to Top

Exam Questions

Document PDF - 2.2 MB#
Problem 4E-1 (page 31) to problem 4E-9 (page 31)

Nine questions which involve finding equations in rectangular coordinates for those given in parametric form, or putting a rectangular equation in parametric form.

Instructor: Prof. David Jerison
Prior Knowledge: None
Back to Top
Document PDF- 2.2 MB#
Problem 4H-1 (page 32) to problem 4H-3 (page 33)

Three multi-part questions which involve converting rectangular coordinates to polar coordinates, converting polar equations to rectangular equations, and graphing curves given in polar coordinates.

Instructor: Prof. David Jerison
Prior Knowledge: None
Back to Top
Document PDF
Problem 4 (page 5)

Sketching a curve in polar coordinates, and labeling the quadrants, endpoints, tangent slopes, and angles for the curve.

Instructor: Prof. Jason Starr
Prior Knowledge: None
Back to Top
Document PDF
Problem 5 (page 1)

Sketching a curve defined in polar coordinates and finding the area inside it.

Instructor: Prof. David Jerison
Prior Knowledge: None
Back to Top
Document PDF
Problem 9 (page 1)

Sketching a curve given in polar coordinates and finding points of intersection between that and other curves.

Instructor: Prof. David Jerison
Prior Knowledge: None
Back to Top
Document PDF
Problem 5 (page 1)

Representing a circle using both rectangular and polar coordinates.

Instructor: Prof. David Jerison
Prior Knowledge: None
Back to Top
Document PDF
Problem 6 (page 1)

Setting up and evaluating an integral to represent the uncovered area of the two moons involved in a lunar eclipse on another planet.

Instructor: Prof. David Jerison
Prior Knowledge: None
Back to Top
Document PDF
Problem 5 (page 1)

Sketching a spiral defined in polar coordinates, counting the times it crosses the x-axis, and finding the area of specific regions of the spiral.

Instructor: Prof. David Jerison
Prior Knowledge: None
Back to Top
Document PDF
Problem 6 (page 1)

Finding an equation in polar coordinates and the appropriate range of theta for a line given in rectangular coordinates.

Instructor: Prof. David Jerison
Prior Knowledge: None
Back to Top
Document PDF
Problem 14 (page 2)

Sketching a curve given in polar coordinates and finding the area swept by a line segment as one of the endpoints moves along this curve.

Instructor: Prof. David Jerison
Prior Knowledge: None
Back to Top

Java Applets

Java Applet Java Applet
Requires Java Virtual Machine

Applet for showing the graph of a function defined in polar coordinates.

Instructor: Prof. Daniel J. Kleitman
Back to Top
Java Applet Java Applet
Requires Java Virtual Machine

Applet for plotting curves defined in rectangular or parametric form.

Instructor: Prof. Daniel J. Kleitman
Back to Top
Analysis of Graphs Limits of Functions Asymptotic & Unbounded Behavior Continuity: Property of Functions Parametric, Polar & Vector Function Concept of the Derivative Derivative at a Point Derivative as a Function Second Derivatives Applications of Derivatives Computation of Derivatives Interpretations & Properties of Definite Integrals Applications of Integrals Fundamental Theorem of Calculus Applications of Antidifferentiation Numerical Approximations to Definite Integ Concept of Series Series of Constants Taylor Series Graphs of Functions Intuitive Understanding: Limiting Process Calculating Limits Using Algebra Asymptotic Behavior: Infinity Continuity Continuity in Terms of Limits Analysis of Planar Curves Derivative Presented Graphically, Numerically & Analytically Derivative Interpreted as Instantaneous Rate of Change Derivative: Limit of the Difference Quotient Differentiability & Continuity Tangent Line - Curve at a Point & Local Linear Approximation Instantaneous Rate of Change Approximate Rate of Change Characteristics of f & f Relationship Between Behavior of f & Sign of f Mean Value Theorem & Geometric Consequences Characteristics: Graphs of f, f & f Relationship Between Concavity of f & Sign of f'' Points of Inflection - Concavity Changes Analysis of Curves Applications of Derivatives Optimization: Absolute & Relative Extrema Modeling Rates of Change Implicit Differentiation & Derivatives of Inverse Functions Derivative as a Rate of Change l'Hôpital's Rule Geometric Interpretation of Differential Equations Derivatives of Basic Functions Rules: Derivative of Sums, Products & Quotients of Functions Chain Rule & Implicit Differentiation Derivatives: Parametric, Polar & Vector Functions Definite Integral - Limit of Riemann Sums Rate of Change of a Quantity/Change of Quantity over Interval Properties of Definite Integrals Appropriate Integrals Evaluate Definite Integrals Representation of Specific Antiderivatives Antiderivatives From Derivatives of Basic Functions Integration by Substitution, Parts & Partial Fractions Improper Integrals Separable Equations & Modeling Riemann & Trapezoidal Sums Series, Convergence, Divergence Motivating Examples Geometric Series with Applications The Harmonic Series Alternating Series - Error Bound Series as Riemann Sums & the Integral Test Ratio Test - Convergence/Divergence Comparison Test Taylor Polynomial Approximation Maclaurin & Taylor Series Maclaurin Series for Basic Functions Manipulating Taylor Series Power Series Defining Functions Radius/Interval of Convergence Lagrange Error Bound