How can (sqrt3,-1) be converted into polar coordinates?

1 Answer
Dec 14, 2015

2/_-pi/6

Explanation:

Any complex number in rectangular form (x,y)=x+iy may be written in polar form (r/_theta) by letting
r=sqrt(x^2+y^2) and theta = tan^(-1)(y/x).

So in this case, r=sqrt(3+1)=2 and theta = tan^-(1)(-1/sqrt3)=pi/6 and we express it as -pi/6 since the point is in the 4th quadrant in the argand diagram.