Definition:Polar Tangent

Definition

Let $\CC$ be a curve embedded in a polar plane.

Let $\PP$ be a given point on $\CC$.

Let $\TT$ be the tangent to $\CC$ at $P$.

Let $\RR$ be the straight line through the pole perpendicular to the radius vector of $\PP$.

Let $\SS$ be the point of intersection of $\TT$ with $\RR$.

The polar tangent of $\PP$ with respect to $\CC$ is the line segment $\PP \SS$.

Also see

• Definition:Polar Normal

• Definition:Polar Subnormal
• Definition:Polar Subtangent

• Results about polar tangents can be found here.

Sources

• 1998: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): polar tangent
• 2008: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (4th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): polar tangent