Polar and Cartesian coordinates are used when graphing. Polar points are located by moving r units out from the pole and rotating θ degrees from the polar axis. Polar points are written in the form (r, θ). Cartesian points are located by moving x units horizontally and y units vertically from the center of the graph. Cartesian points are written in the form (x, y).To convert from polar to Cartesian you will need to use the conversions x = r*cosθ and y = r*sinθ.
Instructions
-
-
1
Plug the values for r and θ into the equation x = r*cosθ to find x. For example, given the polar point (1, π/4), x = 1*cos(π/4) which is x = 1/sqrt(2).
-
2
Plug the values for r and θ into the equation y = r*sinθ to find y. In the example, y = 1*sin(π/4) which is y = 1/sqrt(2).
-
-
3
Write the x and y value found in the steps above as a point in the form (x, y). In the example, the Cartesian point would be (1/sqrt(2), 1/sqrt(2)).