Understanding Polar and Cartesian Graphs: Comparing Two Coordinate Systems

Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
4 replies · 2K views
opus
Gold Member
Messages
717
Reaction score
131
Please see the attached image.
To my understanding, there are two ways to graph a trigonometric function.
One is in the Cartesian Coordinate Plane where we have the values (x,y).
The other is in the Polar Coordinate system where we have the values (r,θ).

In regards to the image that I've attached, are these graphs saying the same thing, just in different coordinate systems?
 

Attachments

  • Screen Shot 2018-06-29 at 1.51.05 PM.png
    Screen Shot 2018-06-29 at 1.51.05 PM.png
    40.2 KB · Views: 595
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Dhruv007
Mathematics news on Phys.org
Yes, both the graphs are representing the same function and have the same values if you will convert the coordinate system.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: opus
Great thank you.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Dhruv007
Your welcome. Anyway, polar coords are confusing
 
Just starting learning about them, so I'm sure I'll have questions later.