Expert: Steve Holleran - 2/16/2008

Question
I'm having trouble finding the points for r=2cos5theta (i can't find the symbol) please help me

Answer
Hi Leslie,

All you have to do is pick some values for theta.  You can express them in degrees if it helps, just use a calculator to read off the values.

For example,

If theta = pi/6 = 30 degrees, 5theta = 5pi/6 = 150 and
  cos 5theta = -.866

Likewise, if theta = pi/3 = 60, then 5theta = 300 and
  2cos 5theta = 1

Just continue this , and you'll get a series of points.

You can even just choose 5-degree increments

theta = 5, 5theta = 25 , calculate 2* cos 25 degrees, etc.

Steve