What is the polar form of ( -1,121 )?

1 Answer
Jan 23, 2016

Rectangular form: (-1,121) hArr Polar form: (sqrt(14642),"arccos"(-1/sqrt(14642)))

Explanation:

Radius is given by the Pythagorean Theorem as
color(white)("XXX")r=sqrt(x^2+y^2)

For the given values (x,y)=(-1,121)
color(white)("XXX")r=sqrt((-1)^1+121^2) = sqrt(14642)

The given point is in Quadrant II, so it is convenient to use the cos/arccos" functions.
color(white)("XXX")cos(theta)=x/r

color(white)("XXX")rarr theta = "arccos"(x/r)

color(white)("XXXXXX")="arccos" ((-1)/sqrt(14642))

Note: If this had any practical applications we would probably convert the above values into (approximate) values (using a calculator) as
color(white)("XXX")(r,theta)~=(121,1.58 " (radians)")