You are told that the graph of points (x,y) satisfying the
equation
xy(x^2 - y^2) = x^2 + y^2
consists of four curves together with a single point at the origin.
To help you to get started, think of a point P on the graph, at a
distance r from the origin, having coordinates (x,y), where the
line OP joining P to the origin makes an angle \theta with
the x-axis. Now, to find the polar equation, make the
substitution
x = r \cos \theta,\ y = r \sin \theta
and don't be put off by the long expression you get. Use the trig
identities for \sin^2\theta and \cos^2\theta and you should be
able to simplify the expression to prove that the polar equation of
this graph is
r^4 \sin 4\theta = 4r^2.
Clearly r=0 satisfies this equation. Is it possible to have
r< 2?
What are the valuesof \theta when r=2?
One more hint and all should be plain sailing: notice that \sin
4\theta is never negative.
Show without recourse to any calculating aid that 7^{1/2} + 7^{1/3}
+ 7^{1/4} < 7 and 4^{1/2} + 4^{1/3} + 4^{1/4} > 4 . Sketch
the graph of f(x) = x^{1/2} + x^{1/3} + x^{1/4} -x