Question

Convert the Cartesian equation (x 2 + y 2)2 = 4(x 2 - y 2) to a polar equation.

Answer 1

ANSWER

${r}^{2} = 4 \cos2\theta$

EXPLANATION

The Cartesian equation is

${( {x}^{2} + {y}^{2} )}^{2} = 4( {x}^{2} - {y}^{2} )$

We substitute

$x = r \cos( \theta)$

$y = r \sin( \theta)$

and

${x}^{2} + {y}^{2} = {r}^{2}$

This implies that

${( {r}^{2} )}^{2} = 4(( { r \cos\theta) }^{2} - {(r \sin\theta) }^{2} )$

Let us evaluate the exponents to get:

${r}^{4} = 4({ {r}^{2} \cos^{2}\theta } - {r}^{2} \sin^{2}\theta)$

Factor the RHS to get:

${r}^{4} = 4{r}^{2} ({ \cos^{2}\theta } - \sin^{2}\theta)$

Divide through by r²

${r}^{2} = 4 ({ \cos^{2}\theta } - \sin^{2}\theta)$

Apply the double angle identity

$\cos^{2}\theta -\sin^{2}\theta= \cos(2 \theta)$

The polar equation then becomes:

${r}^{2} = 4 \cos2\theta$