Lesson 3: 10.3 Polar Coordinates
Duration of Days: 3
Lesson Objective
Students will be able to plot polar coordinates, graph polar curves, and convert between polar and Cartesian equations.
- What is the difference between polar coordinates and Cartesian coordinates?
- What are some graphs that are easier to create using a polar equation instead of a Cartesian equation? Why?
- What is the relationship between polar coordinates and the Pythagorean Theorem?
- polar coordinates
- polar equations
- pole
- polar axis
- cardioid
(graphing polar equations and converting between polar and Cartesian)
- Graphing polar equations and converting between polar and Cartesian equations
- DOK Levels 1-4
- detecting, tracking, and locating objects with sonar or radar
- modeling how microphones capture sound
- In aviation and maritime transport, positions are defined by bearing (angle) and distance from a reference point
- Celestial bodies (planets, satellites) follow orbits and paths calculated using polar equations to describe their motion and position over time
Students may struggle with the concept that the independent variable is an angle and that we can continue beyond one rotation.
Homogeneous grouping and whole-class discussion
section assessment
problems assigned from book