- #1
Graphing Polar Coordinates: 0 ≤ θ ≤ π and 0 ≤ r ≤ 4
- Thread starter Fatima Hasan
- Start date
In summary, polar coordinates are a system used to locate points on a plane using a distance and angle from a fixed reference point. They differ from Cartesian coordinates which use x and y coordinates. To graph polar coordinates, plot the distance on the y-axis and angle on the x-axis. Polar equations describe curves in polar coordinates, while polar coordinates are simply the distance and angle needed to locate a point. To convert between polar and Cartesian coordinates, use specific formulas. It is not possible to graph polar coordinates on regular graph paper, but specialized polar graph paper can be used or created.
- #2
- #3
mfb
Mentor
- 37,127
- 13,968
Both correct.
I merged the two threads as the questions are so similar.
I merged the two threads as the questions are so similar.
1. What are polar coordinates and how are they different from Cartesian coordinates?
Polar coordinates are a system used to locate points on a plane. They consist of a distance (r) and an angle (θ) from a fixed reference point (called the pole). This is different from Cartesian coordinates, which use x and y coordinates to locate points on a grid.
2. How do you graph polar coordinates?
To graph polar coordinates, plot the distance (r) from the pole on the y-axis and the angle (θ) on the x-axis. Start at the pole and measure the angle counterclockwise from the positive x-axis. Then, measure the distance from the pole along this angle and plot the point.
3. What is the difference between polar equations and polar coordinates?
Polar equations are equations that describe curves or shapes in polar coordinates. They may have multiple terms and may involve trigonometric functions. Polar coordinates, on the other hand, are simply the distance and angle needed to locate a point on a plane.
4. How do you convert between polar and Cartesian coordinates?
To convert from polar to Cartesian coordinates, use the formulas x = r cos(θ) and y = r sin(θ). To convert from Cartesian to polar coordinates, use the formulas r = √(x^2 + y^2) and θ = tan^-1(y/x).
5. Can you graph polar coordinates on a regular graph paper?
No, regular graph paper is designed for Cartesian coordinates and does not have a scale for polar coordinates. You can use specialized polar graph paper or create your own by drawing concentric circles and evenly spaced radial lines.
Similar threads
-
Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
-
Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
-
Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
-
Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
-
Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
-
Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
-
Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
-
Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
-
Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
-
Calculus and Beyond Homework Help