Find the polar coordinates of the points with the following
Find the polar coordinates of the points with the following rectangular coordinates. Express angles in terms of radians. Show all work.
a) (negative square root of 3, -1)
b) (-2,2)
Solution
(R,theta) is the polar coordinate
where R^2=x^2 + y^2 and tan theta=y/x
a) (-sqrt3,-1)
R^2= (-sqrt3)^2+ (-1)^2=4
R^2=4 ,R=2 and theta= tan^-1(-1/-sqrt3)=30
Therefore polar coordinate is (2,30 degree)
b) (-2,2)
R^2=(-2)^2 + 2^2=8
R=2sqrt2
theta=tan^-1(2/-2)=-45
Therefore polar coordinate is (2sqrt2,-45degree)
