Question

How would i convert these rectangular coordinates into polar coordinates?
(3,pi/2)

Answer 1

You certain you want to go that way? Those coordinates seem to be more likely to be polar coordinates as they are.

Answer 2

Crap, you're right, i missed worded the question. Those are indeed polar coordinates and i need help converting them into rectangular coords.

Answer 3

For rectangular we need a x value and a y value.

x value is \[r \cos (\theta)\] r is the length in polar form. In this case 3.
y value is \[rsin(\theta) \]

Answer 4

Take them to the north/south pole....
eeeyyyyhh eeeeyyyyhhh

Answer 5

pi/2 = 90 deg

3cos(90) = 0
3sin(90) = 3
rectangular point in (0,3).
And it matches up with the picture.

Answer 6

so i would need to find the cos of pi/2 then multiply it by 3? then find the sin of pi/2 and multiply by 3?

Answer 7

Right. But be careful when using your calculator. You can use pi/2 when your calculator is in rad mode, but in deg mode you have to use 90.

Answer 8

right. i would get the same answer if i manually multiplied 3 by the radical form of cos and sin right?

Answer 9

x=r*cos(theta)
y=r*sin(theta)

To go the other way,

r=sqrt(x^2+y^2)
theta = arctan(y/x)

Think about why this is true.

Just use SOH CAH TOA and the pythagorean theorem. =)

Answer 10

ok sweet, i guess i was just over complicating cuz the formulas seem really simple now. We thanks guys i appreciate the help alot

Answer 11

Yeah, learning can be kind of fun and satisfying like that haha.