[Math] Find the area of the region bounded by: $r^2=50\cos(2\theta)$

areacalculus

How can I do this? I can do Find the area inside one leaf of the rose: $r=\sin(6\theta)$ but cannot figure this one out.

Please I need help!

Best Answer

A rough picture is very useful. There is curve for $\theta=0$ to $\frac{\pi}{4}$. Then since $r^2$ cannot be negative, there is no curve from $\theta=\frac{\pi}{4}$ to $\frac{\pi}{2}$.

Then there is curve from $\theta=\frac{3\pi}{4}$ to $\theta=\pi$,and there is still curve from $\theta=\pi$ to $\theta=\frac{5\pi}{4}$, then no curve for a while, then curve from $\theta=\frac{7\pi}{4}$ to $2\pi$.

That gives a flower with two petals. The easiest way to compute the area is probably to think of the flower as made up of $4$ parts identical to the part between $\theta=0$ and $\theta=\frac{\pi}{4}$. The total area is $$4\int_0^{\pi/4} \frac{1}{2}(50) \cos(2\theta)\,d\theta.$$