Conversion Between Coordinate Systems

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between two coordinate systems, specifically the transformation from an x-y coordinate system to a u-v coordinate system. The original poster presents a problem involving linear transformations and rotation of axes, suggesting that the task requires understanding how to express the u-coordinate in terms of the x-coordinate.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of rotation matrices and the need to translate the origin before applying transformations. There is debate over the correct angle of rotation and the implications of the problem's setup, particularly regarding the absence of y-components in the provided answer choices.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with participants sharing their attempts and questioning the assumptions made in the problem. Some have provided partial work and expressed confusion about the relationship between the coordinates, while others have pointed out potential issues with the problem's framing.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted lack of clarity due to the absence of a diagram for some participants initially, and the problem's requirement to express u solely in terms of x raises questions about the treatment of y in the transformation process.

hp-p00nst3r
Messages
29
Reaction score
0
Hello, I've been stuck on this problem for awhile and I've tried googling up some solutions but I still cannot find an answer to this question.

Homework Statement


An x-y coordinate system is shown below. A second system, u-v, is also shown. What is the relationship between the u-coordinate and the x-coordinate?
https://www.vista.ubc.ca/webct/RelativeResourceManager/Template/RspQ-Mech%202%20Review%20Quiz/220-practice-8q.gif
A. u = -0.57x + 3.44
B. u = 0.57x - 3.44
C. u = -1.74x + 10.44
D. u = 1.74x - 10.44
E. None of the above

Homework Equations


I am not quite sure which equations are relevant but I think it has to do with linear transformations because of the rotating axes.


The Attempt at a Solution


I have tried applying the rotation matrix with a theta of 125 deg which gives me
[cos(125deg) -sin(125deg)
sin(125deg) cos(125deg)]
and I find that the x coordinate of the resulting transformation is T(x) = x*cos(125) - y*sin(125). Since in the question, it asks for the x coordinate only, I would assume that y = 0. After, I subbed (x-6) into x to translate the coordinate to match the picture. So my final answer would be: -x*cos(125) + 3.44. It's one of the choices, but it's not the right answer.

Thank you. Any help is appreciated.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
from reading the question it looks like there should be a diagram included...
 
Ah, my mistake. I did post an image but I guess I was the only one who could see the link since I was logged into the school's online course website. I thought everyone else could access the picture. I've uploaded the picture on imageshack now and edited the first post.
Thanks for pointing that out.

EDIT: for some reason I can't edit my first post. So here's the image.
http://img111.imageshack.us/img111/69/220practice8qjp1.gif
 
Last edited by a moderator:
First, of course, you have to translate the origin. Let "p, q" represent a coordinate system with axes parallel to the x,y axes but with origin at x= 6, y= 3. Then p= x-6, q= y- 3.

Now, the u, v coordinate system is just the p,q system rotated by 35 degrees. In general, the p,q system rotated by [itex]\theta[/itex] degrees is given by
[itex]u= p cos(\theta)+ q sin(\theta)[/itex]
[itex]v= -p sin(\theta)+ q cos(\theta)[/itex]
 
Isn't it a 125 degree rotation since the x-axis is pointing downwards? It has to rotate a total of 125 degrees.

According to the answer key, the answer is C. u = -1.74x + 10.44.

I subbed p = x - 6 and q = y - 3 into the u = equation, but I am not getting -1.74x at all.
I got u = (x - 6) cos (35) + (y - 3)sin(35).
 
the biggest problem I'm having looking at the possible answers is that none of them contain y, they should be of the form

[tex]u=xCos\theta +ySin\theta + a[/tex]

sure, the question says with respect to x, but there's a constant at the end, you can't just ignore the y components...
 
I found that strange as well
If i try just regular trial and error on the answers, it still doesn't make much sense to me. If i sub x = 6 into choice C, it gives u = 0. That doesn't really make sense on the diagram.
 
I think I answered the question.
Here is my work. Can you guys please take a look and tell me if my work is right?
http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/4493/pracreviewq8tc0.jpg
Instead of working with xy and uv, I limited it only to the x and u components
From what the question is like, I think we are not working with the entire coordinate system at all. It is as if the y and v part of the coordinate systems do not exist at all.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Similar threads

  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K