Polar coordinates are an order pair of (r, theta)(r,θ)
The conversion from (x, y)(x,y) to r is:
r = sqrt(x^2 + y^2)r=√x2+y2
The conversion from (x, y)(x,y) to thetaθ is more complicated:
If x > 0 and y >= 0x>0andy≥0, then theta = tan^-1(y/x)" [1]"θ=tan−1(yx) [1]
If x = 0 and y > 0x=0andy>0, then theta = pi/2" [2]"θ=π2 [2]
If x = 0 and y < 0x=0andy<0, then theta = (3pi)/2" [3]"θ=3π2 [3]
If x < 0x<0, then theta = pi + tan^-1(y/x)" [4]"θ=π+tan−1(yx) [4]
If x > 0 and y < 0x>0andy<0, then theta = 2pi + tan^-1(y/x)" [5]"θ=2π+tan−1(yx) [5]
For the given point (-2, -2sqrt(3))(−2,−2√3)
r = sqrt((-2)^2 + (-2sqrt(3))^2)r=√(−2)2+(−2√3)2
r = sqrt(4 + 12)r=√4+12
r = sqrt(16)r=√16
r = 4r=4
Because the x coordinate is less than zero, we use equation [4]:
theta = pi + tan^-1((-2sqrt(3))/(-2))θ=π+tan−1(−2√3−2)
theta = pi + pi/3θ=π+π3
theta = (4pi)/3θ=4π3
The polar point is (4, (4pi)/3)(4,4π3)