How do you convert (15, -3) into polar coordinates?

1 Answer
Jan 20, 2016

(sqrt234 , - 11.3^@ ) (234,11.3)

Explanation:

To convert from Cartesian coordinates to Polar . Use the
following formulae.

• r^2 = x^2 + y^2 r2=x2+y2

• tantheta = (y/x) tanθ=(yx)

In this question x = 15 and y = - 3

so r^2 = 15^2 + (- 3 )^2 = 225 + 9 = 234 rArr r = sqrt234r2=152+(3)2=225+9=234r=234

and tantheta = (-3/15) rArr theta = tan^-1 (-3/15) = - 11.3^@tanθ=(315)θ=tan1(315)=11.3

Note : ( 15 , - 3 ) is a point in the 4th quadrant and so theta θ must
be in this quadrant

Since negative angles are measured from the x-axis in a
clockwise direction then theta = -11.3^@θ=11.3 is in this quadrant.