Graph the polar curve, rose

In this lesson, you're going to see how to graph a polar curve that looks
like a flower - and for that reason, such a curve is called a rose. We'll
consider only certain curves of this type that have the center of the rose at
the pole. The polar equation of every rose that we'll deal with is either of
the form

r = a cos(nθ)

or of the form

r = a sin(nθ)

for some nonzero number a and some integer n with | n | ≥ 2.

To see why we're stipulating that | n | ≥ 2, let's consider what happens if we

have an equation of either of these forms and n is either 0, 1, or −1.

If n = 0, an equation of the form r = a cos(nθ) reduces to

r = a cos(0)

r = a(1)

r=a

This is just the equation of a circle of radius | a | that has its center at the
pole.

An equation of the form r = a sin(nθ) with n = 0 reduces to

63
 r = a sin(0)

r = a(0)

r=0

This is just the equation of a single point (namely, the equation of the
pole).

Also, you have already learned that if a ≠ 0, then a polar equation of the
form r = a cos θ or r = a sin θ is the equation of a circle. This takes care of
n = 1.

Now let's consider what happens when n = − 1. By the even identity for
cosine,

cos(−θ) = cos θ

so we get exactly the same circle as for the polar equation

r = a cos(−θ)

that we get for the polar equation

r = a cos θ

From this point on, we'll assume that a ≠ 0 and that n is an integer of
absolute value 2 or larger.

Example

Graph the polar equation r = 3 cos(2θ).

64
In the following table, the values of cos(2θ) and r = 3 cos(2θ) for a number of
angles θ in the interval [0,2π) are shown. In the table, we also give one pair
of polar coordinates, (r, θ), for points where the equation r = 3 cos(2θ) gives
us a positive value of r, and we give two pairs of polar coordinates, (r, θ)
and (−r, θ + π), for points where the equation r = 3 cos(2θ) gives us a
negative value of r. Four of the points in the table (the ones that are
labeled with the letters C, G, K, and O) correspond to the pole, so in the
accompanying graph only the first of these labels (namely, C) is used for
the pole.

Point θ cos(2θ) r = 3 cos(2θ) (r, θ) (−r, θ + π)

A 0 1 3 (3,0)

B π /6 1/2 3/2 (3/2,π /6)

C=pole π /4 0 0 (0,π /4)

D π /3 −1/2 −3/2 (−3/2,π /3) (3/2,4π /3)

E π /2 −1 −3 (−3,π /2) (3,3π /2)

F 2π /3 −1/2 −3/2 (−3/2,2π /3) (3/2,5π /3)

G=pole 3π /4 0 0 (0,3π /4)

H 5π /6 1/2 3/2 (3/2,5π /6)

I π 1 3 (3,π)

J 7π /6 1/2 3/2 (3/2,7π /6)

65
K=pole 5π /4 0 0 (0,5π /4)

L 4π /3 −1/2 −3/2 (−3/2,4π /3) (3/2,7π /3)

M 3π /2 −1 −3 (−3,3π /2) (3,5π /2)

N 5π /3 −1/2 −3/2 (−3/2,5π /3) (3/2,8π /3)

O=pole 7π /4 0 0 (0,7π /4)

P 11π /6 1/2 3/2 (3/2,11π /6)

Notice that for the rose r = 3 cos(2θ), the points which are furthest from the
pole are at a distance of exactly 3 units from it. More generally, it can
easily be seen that for the rose r = a cos(nθ), the points which are furthest
from the pole are at a distance of exactly | a | units from it.

66
Also, notice that the rose r = 3 cos(2θ) has four “petals.” Let's investigate
how many petals there are in the graph of the polar equation r = a cos(nθ)
in general. By the even identity for cosine,

cos(−nθ) = cos(nθ)

so it suffices to do this only for positive integers n.

The “tip” of each petal of a rose is at a distance of | a | units from the pole,
and every point which is at a distance of | a | units from the pole is the tip
of some petal of the rose. Therefore, the number of petals is equal to the
numbers of points (r, θ) with | r | = | a | .

Our polar equation is

r = a cos(nθ)

so

| r | = | a | ⟺ | cos(nθ) | = 1

Now | cos(nθ) | = 1 if and only if either

cos(nθ) = 1

or

cos(nθ) = − 1

Also, | cos(nθ) | = 1 if and only if nθ is an integer multiple of π.

In addition,

67
 a cos(n(θ + 2π)) = a cos(nθ + 2nπ) = a cos(nθ)

where the second equality follows from the fact that the angles nθ and
nθ + 2nπ are coterminal and hence have the same value of the cosine
function. Thus we need not consider angles outside the interval [0,2π) (and
we should not consider them, as we would be counting one or more petals
twice).

If cos(nθ) = 1, then nθ is an integer multiple of 2π, so there is a nonnegative

integer k such that nθ = 2kπ. This implies that

2kπ
θ=
n

Since we want θ ∈ [0,2π), we have

2kπ
0≤ < 2π
n

Multiplying through by n /(2π) gives

0≤k<n

Since both k and n are integers, this means that

0≤k ≤n−1

What this tell us is that the tip of each petal for which cos(nθ) = 1 is located
at some point (r, θ) with | r | = | a | and

{ n n }
2π 4π 2(n − 1)π
θ∈ 0,, , …,
n

68
Now

2(n − 1) = 2n − 2

so

{ n n }
2π 4π (2n − 2)π
θ∈ 0, , , …,
n

If cos(nθ) = − 1, then nθ is an odd integer multiple of π, so there is a

nonnegative integer k such that nθ = (2k + 1)π. Thus

(2k + 1)π
θ=
n

We want θ ∈ [0,2π), so

(2k + 1)π
0≤ < 2π
n

Multiplying through by n /π, we get

2k + 1
0≤ < 2n
n

Now k is a nonnegative integer, so 2k + 1 is an odd integer and 2k + 1 ≥ 1,

hence

1 ≤ 2k + 1 < 2n

Also, 2k + 1 is an odd integer and 2n is an even integer, hence

1 ≤ 2k + 1 ≤ 2n − 1

Subtracting 1 throughout, we have

69
 0 ≤ 2k ≤ 2n − 2

That is,

0 ≤ 2k ≤ 2(n − 1)

Dividing through by 2, we get

0≤k ≤n−1

Thus the tip of each petal for which cos(nθ) = − 1 is located at some point
(r, θ) with | r | = | a | and

{n n }
π 3π [2(n − 1) + 1]π
θ∈ , , …,
n

Now

2(n − 1) + 1 = 2n − 2 + 1 = 2n − 1

so

{n n }
π 3π (2n − 1)π
θ∈ , , …,
n

Combining the results for cos(nθ) = 1 and cos(nθ) = − 1, we find that the tip
of each petal is located at some point (r, θ) with | r | = | a | and some angle θ
in the set

{ n n n n }
π 2π 3π 4π (2n − 1)π
0, , , , , …,
n

70
Since | cos(nθ) | = 1 for every angle θ in this set, every element of the set
corresponds to the tip of some petal of the rose.

This set of angles θ has exactly 2n elements, so you might think that the
rose r = a cos(nθ) has exactly 2n petals. Well, you would be right about that
in the case where n is an even integer, but such a rose has only n petals if n
is an odd integer.

Let's see why we get a different result for the two cases. To do this, we'll
consider the value of a cos(n(θ + π)) for angles θ in the interval [0,π). First, we
have

cos(n(θ + π)) = cos(nθ + nπ)

By the sum identity for cosine,

cos(nθ + nπ) = cos(nθ)cos(nπ) − sin(nθ)sin(nπ)

cos(nθ + nπ) = cos(nθ)cos(nπ) − sin(nθ)(0)

cos(nθ + nπ) = cos(nθ)cos(nπ)

Recall that

{−1,
1, n even
cos(nπ) =
n odd

Thus

{−cos(nθ),
cos(nθ), n even
cos(n(θ + π)) =
n odd

71
Now you might be wondering what this has to do with the number of
petals in a rose. Well, the polar equation

r = a cos(nθ)

tells us that if n is even and the tip of a petal of the rose has polar
coordinates

(a cos(nθ), θ) = (a, θ)

then there is also a petal whose tip has polar coordinates

(a cos(n(θ + π)), θ + π) = (a, θ + π)

because

a cos(nθ) = a ⟹ a cos(n(θ + π)) = a cos(nθ) = a

Since the first polar coordinate (a) is the same for the tips of these two
petals and the second polar coordinate is different (θ for one of them, and
θ for the other one), the tips of these two petals are located at different
points of the rose, hence they correspond to different petals.

Similarly, if n is even and the tip of some petal of the rose has polar
coordinates

(a cos(nθ), θ) = (−a, θ)

for some θ ∈ [0,π), then there is also a petal whose tip has polar
coordinates

(a cos(n(θ + π)), θ + π) = (−a, θ + π)

72
Thus the tips of these two petals are located at different points of the
rose, hence they correspond to different petals.

Also, the angle θ for the first pair of petals is different from the angle θ for
the second pair of petals. This is because for each θ in the interval [0,π)[0,π),
there is only one value of a cos(nθ). Thus the petals in the second pair are
not only different from each other but also different from the petals in the
first pair.

Now recall that an angle θ in the interval [0,2π) corresponds to the tip of
some petal of the rose if and only if

{ n n n n }
π 2π 3π 4π (2n − 1)π
θ∈ 0, , , , , …,
n

Note that half of the angles in this set are in the interval [0,π) and the other
half are in the interval [π,2π). Also, for every angle θ in this set which is in
the interval [0,π), the angle θ + π is also in this set.

Thus the rose r = a cos(nθ) has a total of 2n petals if n is even, and the tips
of the petals of the rose are the points with polar coordinates (a cos(nθ), θ)
for

{ n n n n }
π 2π 3π 4π (2n − 1)π
θ∈ 0, , , , , …,
n

If, on the other hand, n is odd and the tip of a petal of the rose has polar
coordinates

(a cos(nθ), θ) = (a, θ)

73
for some θ ∈ [0,π), then there is also a petal whose tip has polar
coordinates

(a cos(n(θ + π)), θ + π) = (−a, θ + π)

because

a cos(nθ) = a ⟹ a cos(n(θ + π)) = a(−cos(nθ)) = − a cos(nθ) = − a

However, (a, θ) and (−a, θ + π) are two pairs of polar coordinates for the
same point. Thus these “two petals” are actually the same petal.

Similarly, if n is odd and the tip of a petal of the rose has polar coordinates

(a cos(nθ), θ) = (−a, θ)

for some θ in the interval [0,π), then there is also a petal whose tip has
polar coordinates

(a cos(n(θ + π)), θ + π) = (a, θ + π)

and these “two petals” are the same petal.

Combining these two results, we see that if n is odd, then the rose
r = a cos(nθ) has only n petals, and the tips of the petals of the rose are the
points with polar coordinates (a cos(nθ), θ) for

{ n n n n }
π 2π 3π 4π (n − 1)π
θ ∈ 0, , , , , …,
n

These general properties of roses also show that if n is even, the set of
points of the rose r = a cos(nθ) is identical to the set of points of the rose

74
r = − a cos(nθ). To see this, consider a point of the rose r = a cos(nθ), and let
b = a cos(nθ); that is, this point has polar coordinates (b, θ). Then

a cos(nθ) = b ⟹ − a cos(n(θ + π)) = − a cos(nθ) = − b

Thus (−b, θ + π) are the coordinates of a point of the rose r = − a cos(nθ), but
this point also has polar coordinates (b, θ).

Example

Graph the polar equation r = − 5 cos(4θ).

Notice that the rose r = − 5 cos(4θ) has 8 = 2(4) petals.

If n is odd, the set of points of the rose r = − a cos(nθ) is the “reflection

through the pole” of the set of points of the rose r = a cos(nθ). To see this,

75
consider a point of the rose r = a cos(nθ), and let b = a cos(nθ); that is, this
point has polar coordinates (b, θ). Then

a cos(nθ) = b ⟹ − a cos(n(θ + π)) = − a(−cos(nθ)) = a cos(nθ) = b

Thus (b, θ + π) are the polar coordinates of a point of the rose

r = − a cos(nθ). This point is diametrically opposite the point that has polar
coordinates (b, θ).

Example

Graph the polar equations r = 4 cos(3θ) and r = − 4 cos(3θ).

In the following table, the values of cos(3θ) and r = 4 cos(3θ) for a few angles
θ in the interval [0,π) are shown. In the table, we also give one pair of polar
coordinates, (r, θ), for points where the equation r = 4 cos(3θ) gives us a
positive value of r, and we give two pairs of polar coordinates, (r, θ) and
(−r, θ + π), for points where the equation r = 4 cos(3θ) gives us a negative
value of r.

Point θ cos(3θ) r = 4 cos(3θ) (r, θ) (−r, θ + π)

A 0 1 4 (4,0)

B=pole π /6 0 0 (0,π /6)

C π /4 − 2 /2 −2 2 (−2 2, π /4) (2 2,5π /4)

D π /3 −1 −4 (−4,π /3) (4,4π /3)

76
E=pole π /2 0 0 (0,π /2)

F 2π /3 1 4 (4,2π /3)

G 3π /4 2 /2 2 2 (2 2,3π /4)

H=pole 5π /6 0 0 (0,5π /6)

Now we'll tabulate the values of cos(3θ) and r = − 4 cos(3θ) for those same
angles θ in the interval [0,π). Note that the points A, C, D, F, and G are
labeled in such a way that they correspond to the points for the same
values of θ from the previous table, hence they are the reflections of those
points through the pole.

Point θ cos(3θ) r = 4 cos(3θ) (r, θ) (−r, θ + π)

A 0 1 −4 (−4,0) (4,π)

77
B=pole π /6 0 0 (0,π /6)

C π /4 − 2 /2 2 2 (2 2, π /4)

D π /3 −1 4 (4,π /3)

E=pole π /2 0 0 (0,π /2)

F 2π /3 1 −4 (−4,2π /3) (4,5π /3)

G 3π /4 2 /2 −2 2 (−2 2,3π /4) (2 2,7π /4)

H=pole 5π /6 0 0 (0,5π /6)

Notice that the tip of one petal of the rose r = 4 cos(3θ) is on the positive
horizontal axis, and the tip of the corresponding petal of the rose
r = − 4 cos(3θ) is on the negative horizontal axis. This property generalizes:
If n is odd and a is positive, then the tip of one petal of the rose r = a cos(nθ)

78
is on the positive horizontal axis, and the tip of the corresponding petal of
the rose r = − a cos(nθ) is on the negative horizontal axis.

Now let's turn our attention to the rose which is the graph of the polar
equation r = a sin(nθ), and let's investigate the numbers and locations of
the tips of the petals. Clearly, the tips of the petals are the points that have
polar coordinates (r, θ) with | r | = | a | , and

| r | = | a | ⟺ | sin(nθ) | = 1

Now | sin(nθ) | = 1 if and only if either

sin(nθ) = 1

or

sin(nθ) = − 1

Also, | sin(nθ) | = 1 if and only if nθ is an odd integer multiple of π /2.

In addition,

a sin(n(θ + 2π)) = a sin(nθ + 2nπ) = a sin(nθ)

because the angles nθ and nθ + 2nπ are coterminal and hence have the
same value of the sine function. Thus, just as with the rose r = a cos(nθ), we
need not consider any angles θ outside the interval [0,2π).

For now, we'll assume that n is positive. If sin(nθ) = 1, then there is a

nonnegative integer k such that
π
nθ = + 2kπ
2

79
This implies that
π
2
+ 2kπ 1(π) + 2(2kπ) (4k + 1)π
θ= = =
n 2n 2n

Since we want 0 ∈ [0,2π), we have

(4k + 1)π
0≤ < 2π
2n

Multiplying through by 2n /π gives

0 ≤ 4k + 1 < 4n

Now k is a nonnegative integer, so 4k + 1 is an odd integer and 4k + 1 ≥ 1,

hence

1 ≤ 4k + 1 < 4n

Also, 4k + 1 is an odd integer and 4n is an even integer, so

1 ≤ 4k + 1 ≤ 4n − 1

Subtracting 1 throughout yields

0 ≤ 4k ≤ 4n − 2

Dividing through by 4, we get

1
0≤k ≤n−
2

Now k is an integer, and n − (1/2) isn't an integer, so

0≤k ≤n−1

80
Thus the tip of each petal for which sin(nθ) = 1 is located at some point
(r, θ) with | r | = | a | and

{ 2n 2n }
π 5π [4(n − 1) + 1]π
θ∈ , , …,
2n

Now

4(n − 1) + 1 = 4n − 4 + 1 = 4n − 3

so

{ 2n 2n }
π 5π (4n − 3)π
θ∈ , , …,
2n

If sin(nθ) = − 1, then there is a nonnegative integer k such that

3π
nθ = + 2kπ
2

This implies that

3π
2
+ 2kπ 1(3π) + 2(2kπ) (4k + 3)π
θ= = =
n 2n 2n

Since we want 0 ∈ [0,2π), we have

(4k + 3)π
0≤ < 2π
2n

Multiplying through by 2n /π gives

0 ≤ 4k + 3 < 4n

81
Now k is a nonnegative integer, so 4k + 3 is an odd integer and 4k + 3 ≥ 3,
hence

3 ≤ 4k + 3 < 4n

Also, 4k + 3 is an odd integer and 4n is an even integer, so

3 ≤ 4k + 3 ≤ 4n − 1

Subtracting 3 throughout yields

0 ≤ 4k ≤ 4n − 4

That is,

0 ≤ 4k ≤ 4(n − 1)

Dividing through by 4, we obtain

0≤k ≤n−1

Thus the tip of each petal for which sin(nθ) = 1 is located at some point
(r, θ) with | r | = | a | and

{ 2n 2n }
3π 7π [4(n − 1) + 3]π
θ∈ , , …,
2n

Now

4(n − 1) + 3 = 4n − 4 + 3 = 4n − 1

so

82
 { 2n 2n }
3π 7π (4n − 1)π
θ∈ , , …,
2n

Combining the results for sin(nθ) = 1 and sin(nθ) = − 1, we find that the tip of
each petal is located at some point (r, θ) with | r | = | a | and some angle θ in
the set

{ 2n 2n 2n 2n }
π 3π 5π 7π (4n − 1)π
0,
, , , , …,
2n

Since | sin(nθ) | = 1 for every angle θ in this set, every element of the set
corresponds to the tip of some petal of the rose.

This set of angles θ has exactly 2n elements. However, just as with the rose
r = a cos(nθ), the rose r = a sin(nθ) has 2n petals if n is even and only n petals
if n is odd.

Let's see why we get a different result for the two cases. To do this, we'll
consider the value of a sin(n(θ + π)) for angles θ in the interval [0,π). First, we
have

sin(n(θ + π)) = sin(nθ + nπ)

By the sum identity for sine,

sin(nθ + nπ) = sin(nθ)cos(nπ) + cos(nθ)sin(nπ)

sin(nθ + nπ) = sin(nθ)cos(nπ) + cos(nθ)(0)

sin(nθ + nπ) = sin(nθ)cos(nπ)

Recall that

83
 {−1,
1, n even
cos(nπ) =
n odd

Thus

{−sin(nθ),
sin(nθ), n even
sin(n(θ + π)) =
n odd

The polar equation

r = a sin(nθ)

tells us that if n is even and the tip of a petal of the rose has polar
coordinates

(a sin(nθ), θ) = (a, θ)

then there is also a petal whose tip has polar coordinates

(a sin(n(θ + π)), θ + π) = (a, θ + π)

because

a sin(nθ) = a ⟹ a sin(n(θ + π)) = a sin(nθ) = a

Since the first polar coordinate (a) is the same for the tips of these two
petals and the second polar coordinate is different (θ for one of them, and
θ for the other one), the tips of these two petals are located at different
points of the rose, hence they correspond to different petals.

Similarly, if n is even and the tip of some petal of the rose has polar
coordinates

84
 (a sin(nθ), θ) = (−a, θ)

for some θ ∈ [0,π), then there is also a petal whose tip has polar
coordinates

(a sin(n(θ + π)), θ + π) = (−a, θ + π)

Thus the tips of these two petals are located at different points of the
rose, hence they correspond to different petals.

Also, the angle θ for the first pair of petals is different from the angle θ for
the second pair of petals. This is because for each θ in the interval [0,π),
there is only one value of a sin(nθ). Thus the petals in the second pair are
not only different from each other but also different from the petals in the
first pair.

Now recall that an angle θ in the interval [0,2π) corresponds to the tip of
some petal of the rose if and only if

{ 2n 2n n n }
π 3π 5π 5π (4n − 1)π
θ∈ , , , , …,
2n

Note that half of the angles in this set are in the interval [0,π) and the other
half are in the interval [π,2π). Also, for every angle θ in this set which is in
the interval [0,π), the angle θ + π is also in this set.

Thus the rose r = a sin(nθ) has a total of 2n petals if n is even, and the tips of
the petals of the rose are the points with polar coordinates (a sin(nθ), θ) for

{ 2n 2n 2n 2n }
π 3π 5π 7π (4n − 1)π
θ∈ , , , , …,
2n

85
If n is odd and the tip of a petal of the rose has polar coordinates

(a sin(nθ), θ) = (a, θ)

for some θ ∈ [0,π), then there is also a petal whose tip has polar
coordinates

(a sin(n(θ + π)), θ + π) = (−a, θ + π)

because

a sin(nθ) = a ⟹ a sin(n(θ + π)) = a(−sin(nθ)) = − a sin(nθ) = − a

However, (a, θ) and (−a, θ + π) are two pairs of polar coordinates for the
same point. Thus these “two petals” are actually the same petal.

Similarly, if n is odd and the tip of a petal of the rose has polar coordinates

(a sin(nθ), θ) = (−a, θ)

for some θ in the interval [0,π), then there is also a petal whose tip has
polar coordinates

(a sin(n(θ + π)), θ + π) = (a, θ + π)

and these “two petals” are the same petal.

Combining these two results, we see that if n is odd, then the rose
r = a sin(nθ) has only n petals, and the tips of the petals of the rose are the
points with polar coordinates (a sin(nθ), θ) for

{ 2n 2n 2n 2n }
π 3π 5π 7π (2n − 1)π
θ∈ , , , , …,
2n

86
These general properties of roses also show that if n is even, the set of
points of the rose r = a sin(nθ) is identical to the set of points of the rose
r = − a sin(nθ). To see this, consider a point of the rose r = a sin(nθ), and let
b = a sin(nθ). Then

a sin(nθ) = b ⟹ − a sin(n(θ + π)) = − a sin(nθ) = − b

Thus (−b, θ + π) are the coordinates of a point of the rose r = − a sin(nθ), but
this point also has polar coordinates (b, θ).

Example

Graph the polar equation 4 sin(6θ).

Example

87
Graph the polar equations r = 6 sin(5θ) and r = − 6 sin(5θ).

88
Notice that the tip of one petal of the rose r = 6 sin(5θ) is on the positive
vertical axis, and the tip of the corresponding petal of the rose
r = − 6 sin(5θ) is on the negative vertical axis. This property generalizes: If n
is odd and a is positive, then the tip of one petal of the rose r = a sin(nθ) is
on the positive vertical axis, and the tip of the corresponding petal of the
rose r = − a sin(nθ) is on the negative vertical axis. Thus these roses are
rotated through an angle of measure π /2 with respect to the roses
r = a cos(nθ) and r = − a cos(nθ), respectively.

The only case that we haven't yet addressed is that of a polar equation of
the form r = a sin(nθ) where n is negative. Well, let n = − m. (Note that m is
positive.) By the odd identity for sine,

sin(nθ) = sin(−mθ) = − sin(mθ)

Thus the rose r = a sin(nθ) is identical to the rose r = − a sin(mθ).

89