When integrating in polar coordinates does theta always have to be taken going in the clockwise direction? or can we take it in the counterclockwise direction? Then that would require a change in the bounds in r.

Question

dumbcow · Answer

i believe it is assumed theta has a positive angle is going counter-clockwise

chaise · Answer

Correct me if I'm wrong but polar coordinates are taken from the positive x axis a counter clockwise (this yields a positive angle)

If you take the polar coordinate from the positive x axis in a clockwise direction you yield a negative angle. 

I'm not sure if this is what you're asking, but hopefully it clears up some ambiguousy with your initial question.

anonymous · Answer

@ dumbcow: Yes that's exactly why I asked the question.So my question should be is there a reason that they assumed theta is positive? was it simply to make things "easier"? But that would simply mean that when finding area, the bounds of r would change correct?  So can it be done? maybe I should simply work out a problem and check but I wondered if anyone knows right off the back if there is possibly a reason that it won't work out...

aravindg · Answer

its a convention