Operation Manual

Chapter 5: Polar Graphing 104
• Store polar equations.
• Select or deselect polar equations.
• Store values directly to window variables.
Exploring Polar Graphs
Free-Moving Cursor
The free-moving cursor in Pol graphing works the same as in Func graphing. In RectGC format, moving
the cursor updates the values of X and Y; if CoordOn format is selected, X and Y are displayed. In
PolarGC format, X, Y, R, and q are updated; if CoordOn format is selected, R and q are displayed.
TRACE
To activate TRACE, press r. When TRACE is active, you can move the trace cursor along the graph of
the equation one q
step at a time. When you begin a trace, the trace cursor is on the first selected
function at q
min. If ExprOn format is selected, then the equation is displayed.
In
RectGC format, TRACE updates the values of X, Y, and q; if CoordOn format is selected, X, Y, and q
are displayed. In PolarGC format, TRACE updates X, Y, R, and q; if CoordOn format is selected, R and q
are displayed.
To move five plotted points at a time on a function, press y| or y~. If you move the trace cursor
beyond the top or bottom of the screen, the coordinate values at the bottom of the screen continue to
change appropriately.
Quick Zoom (see Chapter 3) is available in Pol graphing mode; panning is not.
Moving the Trace Cursor to Any Valid Theta Value
To move the trace cursor to any valid q value on the current function, press r and enter the
number. When you enter the first digit, a q
= prompt and the number you entered are displayed in the
bottom-left corner of the screen. You can enter an expression at the q
= prompt. The value must be valid
for the current viewing window. When you complete the entry, press Í to move the cursor.