How do I convert Cartesian coordinates to polar coordinates?
1 Answer
Let's look at the trig formulas SYR, CXR, TYX:
#sin theta = y/r#
#cos theta = x/r#
#tan theta = y/x#
Since we are given the Cartesian coordinates, we are given
#r=sqrt(x^2+y^2)#
To figure out
#theta'=cos^(-1)x/r#
If
If
Our final answer is
Let's look at a concrete example: Convert
#r=sqrt((-3)^2+(3sqrt3)^2)=sqrt(36)=6#
#theta'=cos^(-1)((-3)/6)=(2pi)/3#
#y<0# so,#theta=2pi-(2pi)/3=(4pi)/3#
So the polar coordinates are