Converting Polar to Rectangular

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around converting polar equations to rectangular form, specifically the equation r = 2sin(2θ). Participants explore the relationships between polar and rectangular coordinates and the challenges encountered during the conversion process.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the conversion of the polar equation using trigonometric identities and the relationships between r, x, and y. There are attempts to substitute values and check calculations, with some questioning the correctness of their methods and results.

Discussion Status

The conversation includes various attempts to clarify the conversion process and check calculations. Some participants provide guidance on making substitutions, while others express confusion regarding discrepancies in results between manual calculations and calculator outputs. The discussion remains open with no explicit consensus reached.

Contextual Notes

Participants note potential mistakes in calculations and the need for careful consideration of trigonometric identities. There is mention of specific examples and the importance of understanding the mechanics behind the conversions.

courtrigrad
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Hello

If you have [itex]r = 2\sin(2\theta)[/itex], how would you convert it to rectangular form? I tried doing this:

[itex]\sin(2\theta) = 2\sin\theta\cos\theta[/itex] which means [itex]r = 4\sin\theta\cos\theta[/itex]. Then I know that [itex]r^{2} = x^{2} + y^{2}[/itex]. We know that [itex]x = r\cos\theta, y = r\sin\theta[/itex]. But then I have a circular argument, where I end up with [itex]y^{2} = y^{2}[/itex]. This means that I have to use another conversion factor. Should I use [itex]\sin\theta = \frac{y}{r}[/itex]?

Thanks :smile:
 
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hi, you're trying to write [itex]r = 4\sin\theta\cos\theta[/itex]
in terms of x and y now that you have [itex]\sin\theta = \frac{y}{r}[/itex]
and [itex]\cos\theta = \frac{x}{r}[/itex] just make the substitutions and you should have no problem getting the answer
 
Thank you kindly for your response.
I 'think' I get the mechanics of it but me and the old voyage 200 are at differences about the answer when doing sample problems.

Example:
let's uses (-2,8),(3,5) as an example.

This what I get for AxB when done manually.

(3,5),(-2,8)
3^2+5^2=r^2
9+25=r^2
√34=r
5.8301=r
then:
toa: tan^(-1)⁡(3/5)=30.964^o
do the same to coordinate #2
-2^2+8^2=r^2
4+16=r^2
√20=r
4.47214=r
then:
toa: tan^(-1)⁡((-2)/8)=-14.036^o
we have:
(5.8301,30.964^o ),(4.47214,-14.036^o )
note: To cross product we need the sin of the angle between the two point. AKA, absolute value
30.964^o+14.036^o=44.73^o
For cross product A ⃗xB ⃗:
5.8301*4.47214 sin⁡44.73 n
18.3493 which is different from the calculator
**********
Voyage 200

crossP([3,5],[-2,8]) = [0. 0. 34.]

Whom is incorrect, me or the calculator?
Why are the answers so different?
 
bcddd214 said:
Thank you kindly for your response.
I 'think' I get the mechanics of it but me and the old voyage 200 are at differences about the answer when doing sample problems.

Example:
let's uses (-2,8),(3,5) as an example.

This what I get for AxB when done manually.

(3,5),(-2,8)
3^2+5^2=r^2
9+25=r^2
√34=r
5.8301=r
then:
toa: tan^(-1)⁡(3/5)=30.964^o
do the same to coordinate #2
-2^2+8^2=r^2
4+16=r^2
√20=r
4.47214=r
then:
toa: tan^(-1)⁡((-2)/8)=-14.036^o
we have:
(5.8301,30.964^o ),(4.47214,-14.036^o )
note: To cross product we need the sin of the angle between the two point. AKA, absolute value
30.964^o+14.036^o=44.73^o
For cross product A ⃗xB ⃗:
5.8301*4.47214 sin⁡44.73 n
18.3493 which is different from the calculator
**********
Voyage 200

crossP([3,5],[-2,8]) = [0. 0. 34.]

Whom is incorrect, me or the calculator?
Why are the answers so different?


I high lighted one line in your answer. Should that be 3/5 or 5/3 ?
 
Both the scalar product and the cross product can be calculated from the components directly. Check your notes.
If vector a is (ax, ay) and vector b is (bx,by) the magnitude of the cross product axb is axby-aybx, and it is parallel to the z axis.

You also can calculate it on that complicated way you tried. There is a mistake when calculating the magnitude of b:
-2^2+8^2=r^2
4+16=r^2
the square of 8 is 64. :-p

ehild
 
PeterO said:
I high lighted one line in your answer. Should that be 3/5 or 5/3 ?

Well, 5 = x or your adjacent, no?
 
ehild said:
Both the scalar product and the cross product can be calculated from the components directly. Check your notes.
If vector a is (ax, ay) and vector b is (bx,by) the magnitude of the cross product axb is axby-aybx, and it is parallel to the z axis.

You also can calculate it on that complicated way you tried. There is a mistake when calculating the magnitude of b:
the square of 8 is 64. :-p

ehild

I do it the REALLY long way first to understand the mechanics and then jump to formulas.
But, you single handedly answered both my question and my next question which would have been the express route.

Now I understand both.

Thank you kindly!
 
courtrigrad said:
Hello

If you have [itex]r = 2\sin(2\theta)[/itex], how would you convert it to rectangular form? I tried doing this:

[itex]\sin(2\theta) = 2\sin\theta\cos\theta[/itex] which means [itex]r = 4\sin\theta\cos\theta[/itex]. Then I know that [itex]r^{2} = x^{2} + y^{2}[/itex]. We know that [itex]x = r\cos\theta, y = r\sin\theta[/itex]. But then I have a circular argument, where I end up with [itex]y^{2} = y^{2}[/itex]. This means that I have to use another conversion factor. Should I use [itex]\sin\theta = \frac{y}{r}[/itex]?

Thanks :smile:


in

r=4*sin(theta)*cos(theta)

multiply 2 sides by r**2
to get

r**3=4*x*y

r=sqrt(x**2+y**2)
r**3=(x**2+y**2)**(3/2)
 

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