How do you find the polar coordinates given (-2, -2sqrt3)(2,23)?

1 Answer
Nov 17, 2016

Please see the explanation.

Explanation:

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>0andy0, then theta = tan^-1(y/x)" [1]"θ=tan1(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+tan1(yx) [4]

If x > 0 and y < 0x>0andy<0, then theta = 2pi + tan^-1(y/x)" [5]"θ=2π+tan1(yx) [5]

For the given point (-2, -2sqrt(3))(2,23)

r = sqrt((-2)^2 + (-2sqrt(3))^2)r=(2)2+(23)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+tan1(232)

theta = pi + pi/3θ=π+π3

theta = (4pi)/3θ=4π3

The polar point is (4, (4pi)/3)(4,4π3)