Polar Form of Complex Numbers: Understanding Quadrants and Sign Conventions

[Darth Frodo]

Not homework as such, just need some clarification.

When finding \alpha do you have to take the signs into account when finding tan^{-1} x/a. Does it matter if a or x are negative?

Next question is about quadrants

1: \theta = \alpha

2: \theta = \pi - \alpha

3: \theta = -\pi - \alpha

4: \theta = -\alpha

Based on these (if correct) it seems that I should disregard the sign when finding \alpha.

Is this correct?

 

[Saitama]

Not homework as such, just need some clarification.

When finding \alpha do you have to take the signs into account when finding tan^{-1} x/a. Does it matter if a or x are negative?

Next question is about quadrants

1: \theta = \alpha

2: \theta = \pi - \alpha

3: \theta = -\pi - \alpha

4: \theta = -\alpha

Based on these (if correct) it seems that I should disregard the sign when finding \alpha.

Is this correct?

No, signs aren't taken into account while finding \alpha.

I am not sure about the 3 quadrant.