What is the polar form of ( -7,1 )?

1 Answer
Jan 22, 2016

(5sqrt2 , 3 )

Explanation:

Use the following formulae linking Cartesian to Polar coordinates.

• r^2 = x^2 + y^2

• theta = tan^-1 (y/x )

[( - 7 , 1 ) is a point in the 2nd quadrant and care must be taken

to ensure that theta , is in the 2nd quadrant.]

so r^2 = (-7)^2 + 1^2 = 49 + 1 = 50 rArr r =sqrt50 = 5sqrt2

and theta = tan^-1 =(1/-7 ) = - 0.14color(black)("radians")

rArr theta = ( pi - 0.14 ) = 3 color(black)("radians" )