Angle measurements

Conversions:
360= 2 rad
1rad=57.2957795=3437.74677=206264
.806

Coordinates.
You are all familiar with the following way of identifying a point P

y
+ P(x,y)

x
This is known as a RECTANGULAR Coordinate System.

Another way of identifying the same point P is

+P (r , )
r

x
This is known as a POLAR Coordinate System.

Where is it?
Coordinate systems are used to locate the position of a point.

(3,1)

In rectangular coordinates:
We break up the plane into a
grid of horizontal and vertical
line lines.
We locate a point by identifying
it as the intersection of a
vertical and a horizontal line.

(1,/6)

In polar coordinates:
We break up the plane with
circles centered at the origin
and with rays emanating from
the origin.
We locate a point as the
intersection of a circle and a ray.

Rectangular
Coordinate
System
(x,y)

Polar
Coordinate
System
(r,)

45
(3,45o)
positive number
along rotation

-240
(4,-240)

Converting from Rectangular to

Polar
Find the polar form for the rectangular point (4, 3).

(4, 3)
r

To find the polar coordinate, we must

calculate the radius and angle to the
given point.
We can use our knowledge of right
triangle trigonometry to find the radius
and angle.
r2 = 32 + 42
r2 = 25
r=5

tan =
= tan-1()
= 36.87o or 0.64 rad

The polar form of the rectangular point

(4, 3) is (5, 36.87o)

(x,y)
(r,)

Conversion between
rectangular and
polar coordinates:

rectangular to polar
r x y
2

y
tan
x

Converting from Rectangular to

Polar
In general, the rectangular point (x, y) is converted to polar form (r, ) by:
1. Finding the radius
(x, y)
r

r2 = x2 + y2
2. Finding the angle
tan = y/x or = tan-1(y/x)
Recall that some angles require
the angle to be converted to the
appropriate quadrant.
Note: This is just like finding the
length and direction angle of a
vector!

Converting from Rectangular to

Polar
On your own, find polar form for the point (-2, 3).
(-2, 3)

3
2
3
tan 1

2
tan

r2 = (-2)2 + 32
r2 = 4 + 9
r2 = 13
r = 13

56.31o

However, the angle must be in the second

quadrant, so we add 180o to the answer
and get an angle of 123.70o.
The polar form is ( 13 , 123.70o)

Converting from Polar to Rectanglar

Convert the polar point (4, 30o) to rectangular coordinates.
We are given the radius of 4 and angle of 30o.
Find the values of x and y.
4
30

Using trig to find the values of x and y, we know

that cos = x/r or x = r cos . Also, sin = y/r or
y = r sin .

x r cos

x 4 cos 30o
x 4

3
2 3
2

y r sin
y 4sin 30o
y 4 1 2
2

The point in rectangular form is:

3, 2

Converting from Polar to Rectanglar

On your own, convert (3, 5/3) to rectangular coordinates.
We are given the radius of 3 and angle of 5/3 or
300o. Find the values of x and y.

-60o

x r cos

x 3 cos 300
1 3
x 3
2 2

y r sin
y 3sin 300o
3 3
y 3 3
2
2

The point in rectangular form is:

3
,
2

3 3

Rectangular and Polar Equations

Equations in rectangular form use variables (x, y), while
equations in polar form use variables (r, ) where is an angle.
Converting from one form to another involves changing the
variables from one form to the other.
We have already used all of the conversions which are necessary.
Converting Polar to Rectangular
cos = x/r
sin = y/r
tan = y/x
r2 = x2 + y2

Converting Rectanglar to Polar

x = r cos
y = r sin
x2 + y2 = r2