How do you convert the cartesian coordinate (-5, -5) into polar coordinates?

1 Answer
Sep 24, 2015

(r,θ)=(52,5π4)

Explanation:

For r, use the formula r=x2+y2=52+52=50=252=52.

For θ, note that the point (x,y)=(5,5) is in the third quadrant. Hence, θ=tan1(yx)+π=tan1(1)+π=π4+π=5π4 (adding or subtracting any whole number multiple of π to this also works for θ).