Cartesian Coordinates: Solving & Verifying w/ Pythagorean Theorem

[tatiana]

We learned about cartesian coordinates briefly in class and i didnt completely understand them. I am not looking for an answer but rather the process on how to get to an answer in cartesian coordinates, for instance, in this example:


A point on a polar coordinate system is located at r=2.0 and = 25 degrees.


& then how you would use the Pythagorean Theorem to verify your answer?

 

[Dr Lots-o'watts]

You need to use sines and cosines to find the corresponding x and y.

Then r is always the hypotenuse so you can plug it into the Pythagorean Theorem with the x and y you just found: x^2 + y^2 = r^2.

 

[mathman]

In general if you are given something in polar coordinates (r,a) then x=rcos(a) and y=rsin(a).