Operation Manual

Chapter 5: Polar Graphing 102
Defining and Displaying Polar Graphs
Graphing Mode Similarities
The steps for defining a polar graph are similar to the steps for defining a function graph. Chapter 5
assumes that you are familiar with Chapter 3: Function Graphing. Chapter 5 details aspects of polar
graphing that differ from function graphing.
Setting Polar Graphing Mode
To display the mode screen, press z. To graph polar equations, you must select Pol graphing mode
before you enter values for the window variables and before you enter polar equations.
Displaying the Polar Y= Editor
After selecting Pol graphing mode, press o to display the polar Y= editor.
In this editor, you can enter and display up to six polar equations,
r1 through r6. Each is defined in
terms of the independent variable q.
Selecting Graph Styles
The icons to the left of r1 through r6 represent the graph style of each polar equation. The default in
polar graphing mode for the TI-84 Plus C is è (thick line). Use the styles and color to visually
differentiate equations to be graphed together. This table describes the graph styles available for polar
graphing.
Defining and Editing Polar Equations
To define or edit a polar equation, follow the steps in Chapter 3 for defining a function or editing a
function. The independent variable in a polar equation is q. In Pol graphing mode, you can enter the
polar variable q in either of two ways.
• Press „.
• Press ƒ
[q].
Icon Style Description
ç Thin A solid line connects plotted points.
è Thick A thick solid line connects plotted points.
é Above Shading covers the area above the graph.
ê Below Shading covers the area below the graph.
ë Path A circular cursor traces the leading edge of the graph and
draws a path.
ì Animate A circular cursor traces the leading edge of the graph without
drawing a path.
Dot-Thick A dot (3 x 3 pixel) enhances the view around the actual
plotted point; this is the default in Dot mode.
í Dot-Thin A small dot (1 x1 pixel) represents each plotted point.