Symmetry in polar functions - how to explain

Question

In the precalculus curriculum I am teaching (using Stewart's book Precalculus: Mathematics for Calculus, 7th ed.), we do a bit of polar graphing, which includes discussion of symmetry on polar graphs. We teach the students to test for symmetry in standard ways:

1. If the equation is invariant under the transformation $(r,\theta)\mapsto(r,-\theta)$, then we have symmetry across the polar axis. This is equivalent to the rectangular transformation $(x,y)\mapsto(x,-y)$.
2. If the equation is invariant under the transformation $(r,\theta)\mapsto(r,\pi-\theta)$, then we have symmetry across the polar axis. This is equivalent to the rectangular transformation $(x,y)\mapsto(-x,y)$.
3. If the equation is invariant under either of the the transformations $(r,\theta)\mapsto(r,\pi+\theta)$ or $(r,\theta)\mapsto(-r,\theta)$, then we have symmetry across the pole. This is equivalent to the rectangular transformation $(x,y)\mapsto(-x,-y)$.

These are all great, but then there was a homework question about the graph given by $r^2=\sin\theta$.

It's clear that we can replace $r$ with $-r$, so we have symmetry number 3. Additionally, $\sin\theta=\sin(\pi-\theta)$, we have symmetry number 2.

The function appears to fail the test for symmetry number 1, because $\sin(-\theta)=-\sin\theta$. However, any function with two of these symmetries automatically has the third. (Together with the identity transformation, we're just looking at the Klein 4-group here.)

Symmetry number 1 can be detected algebraically, but to do so, you have to use the equivalent transformation $(r,\theta)\mapsto(-r,\pi-\theta)$, which is clearly just the composition of symmetries 2 and 3. Similarly, symmetry number 2 could also be detected by the composition of 1 and 3: $(r,\theta)\mapsto(-r,-\theta)$

Anyway, the online WebAssign homework was only counting symmetries 2 and 3 right. I emailed them, and they say they've replaced the question, and I'll see the new version next time I make this assignment. Great, but that leaves math/teaching questions unanswered.

• Has anyone else had this issue come up, and how did you handle it?
• What is the easiest way to account for the failure of this equation, or one like it, when testing for symmetry number 1?
• If we applied two tests for each symmetry (one with $r$ and one with $-r$), are there any equations that would still "get away" undetected?
• Is it sufficient to state (A) that any function with two of these symmetries automatically has the third, and (B) any such function will pass two of the traditional tests, thus letting us know?
• Is there anything else students should be on the lookout for, when trying to obtain symmetries of polar graphs from analyzing equations in $r$ and $\theta$?

Answer 1

The problem underlying the discussion in the question can be summarized as that it is necessary to choose a branch cut to define a complex logarithm (or arctangent).

It is a mistake and pedagogically a bad practice to allow negative values of $r$.

It is a mistake because pairs $(r, \theta)$ with $r$ possibly negative have no right to be called coordinates. Coordinates is a synonym for diffeomorphism (of whatever regularity). A system of coordinates on a domain gives a way to label uniquely each point of the domain. The uniqueness is essential for any labeling system to be properly called coordinates.

It is bad practice pedagogically because it generates unnecessary confusion.

The map $(x, y) \to (\sqrt{x^{2} + y^{2}}, \arctan(y/x))$ is a diffeomorphism from $(0, \infty)\times (—\pi, \pi]$ to $\mathbb{R}^{2}\setminus\{(x, y): x \geq 0\}$. Its inverse is the restriction to its image of the complex exponential, written in real coordinates. The branch cut along some axis is needed to obtain a diffeomorphism. The choice of the negative real axis as the branch is customary.

Allowing negative values of $r$ introduces redundancy. It destroys the unique labeling property.

The equation $r^{2} = \sin \theta$ has no solutions when $\theta \in (\pi, 2\pi)$.

The picture drawn in the question is wrong because negative values of $r$ should not be allowed. Those points on the curve with $r < 0$ do not correspond to points on the curve $$(x^{2} + y^{2})^{3/2} = y.$$ The curve should only be the top part of the curve indicated. Of the symmetries considered only the map - $(r, \theta) \to (r, \pi - \theta)$ (reflect across the vertical axis) is valid.

The map $(r, \theta) \to (r, \pi + \theta)$ is not a symmetry of the equation. If $\sin \theta$ is positive, then $\sin(\pi + \theta)$ is negative, and there is no solution. When negative values of $r$ are allowed, then $(-r, \theta) \sim (r, \pi + \theta)$ so, for a point $(r, \theta)$ of the curve with $r > 0$, the "solution" $(-r, \theta) \sim (r, \theta + \pi)$ is not a solution! Put another way, the equation $r^{2} = \sin \theta$ is not well defined on the quotient of $\mathbb{R}\setminus\{0\} \times (0, 2\pi)$ by the identification $(r, \theta) \sim (-r, \pi + \theta)$. The solutions with $r$ negative do not correspond to any points in the $(x, y)$-plane.

The two-lobed curve drawn in the question corresponds to the Cartesian equation $$(x^{2} + y^{2})^{3} = y^{2},$$ which corresponds to the two polar equations $r^{2} = \pm \sin \theta$. This curve does admit all the symmetries discussed in the question.