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I was thinking to convert to cartesian coordinates and then find when the slope of the tangent line is $1$, but I get a messy equation $2\cos^2\theta -2\sin^2\theta=4\sin^2\theta\cos\theta$ I was wondering if there was an easy way as it is hard to get values from this.

Edit: The equation ends up simplifying to $\tan(2\theta) = 1$, but for future reference is this the best method?

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  • $\begingroup$ What do you mean by the ray $\pi/4$? $\endgroup$ Commented Apr 6, 2015 at 21:00
  • $\begingroup$ $\theta = \pi/4$ sorry $\endgroup$ Commented Apr 6, 2015 at 21:00
  • $\begingroup$ I guess... There isn't a much simpler formula for the tangent in terms of polar coordinates. See here too: tutorial.math.lamar.edu/Classes/CalcII/PolarTangents.aspx $\endgroup$ Commented Apr 6, 2015 at 21:03

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The curve is $\alpha(\theta)=(2sin{\theta}\cos{\theta},2\sin{\theta}\sin{\theta})$. The velocity vector is $\alpha'(\theta)=(2\cos{2\theta},2\sin{2\theta})$. Now we have to find all points so that this vector is proportional to $(1,1)$.

$\theta=\dfrac{\pi}{8}$ or $\theta=\dfrac{5\pi}{8}$

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This is the equation of the circle of center $(0,1)$ and radius $1$.

$$r = 2\sin(\theta) \iff r = 2(\frac{y}{r}) \iff r^2 = 2y \iff x^2 + y^2 = 2y \iff x^2 + (y - 1)^2 = 1$$

Differentiate $x^2 + y^2 = 2y$ with respect to $x$..

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