What affect does a positive value of a have on the graph?
Before, when a =1, each of the graphs went through the origin.
When a = 2, the graph no longer goes through the origin.
Below is a layered graph, showing when a=3, 4, 5, and 6.
What effect will a < 1 have on the graph?
From this layered graph we can draw several conclusions
A value of a that is a fraction less than 1 will
* have the same general shape as the typical "n leaf" rose.
* have 2 sets of petals.
* have outer petals that are shorter than those of a related graph
* have inner petals that are longer than those of a related graph
From this layered graph, we can see that the larger the denominator of a gets, the closer the outer and inner petals get to each other.
What happens when a is negative?
Nothing. The graph remains the same.
Click here to see a discussion of the graph when a = 0.
Click here to return to the Polar Equations main page.
Click here to return to Julie's main page.