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=234⇒r=√234 and
tantheta = (-3/15) rArr theta = tan^-1 (-3/15) = - 11.3^@tanθ=(−315)⇒θ=tan−1(−315)=−11.3∘ Note : ( 15 , - 3 ) is a point in the 4th quadrant and so
theta θ must
be in this quadrantSince negative angles are measured from the x-axis in a
clockwise direction thentheta = -11.3^@θ=−11.3∘ is in this quadrant.