How do you graph the point L(3,-pi/6)L(3,π6)?

1 Answer
Jan 20, 2018

This is equivalent to plotting the rectangular point (3sqrt(3),-3)(33,3).

Explanation:

We want to graph the polar point (3,-pi/6)(3,π6).

First consider the angle, -pi/6π6. Rotate the angle, which has you at the origin facing -pi/6π6, which is coterminal with (11pi)/611π6. You're facing into QIV.

Now move 3 units out from the origin. That's the point.

You can also convert to rectangular coordinates using x=rcos(theta)x=rcos(θ) and y=rsin(theta)y=rsin(θ) to convert:

x=6cos(-(pi)/6)=6(sqrt(3)/2)=3sqrt(3)x=6cos(π6)=6(32)=33
x=6sin(-(pi)/6)=6(-(1)/2)=-3x=6sin(π6)=6(12)=3,

So the rectangular point is (3sqrt(3),-3)(33,3)