"Polar Comparisons"
featuring Dr. Mark Daniels

Dr. Mark Daniels led the Saturday Morning Math Group on November 23, 2013, in a study of polar comparisons. Students began by exploring the meaning of polar coordinates, which are given in terms of an angle from a fixed direction and a distance from a fixed pole. Students also explored radians as a measure of angle. With these tools in hand, students went on to make comparisons between equations expressed in rectangular and polar coordinates, beginning with the simple equation y=x and moving on to more complicated polynomials. Students used spaghetti strands as an aid to chart their polar comparisons and sketch out circles, spirals and limaçons.

Printable version of the flyer

Videos from the talk: Mark Daniels, November 23, 2013,