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How to get 6i and 8j in polar form

User Msam
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1 Answer

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You have a point on a rectangular graph with coordinates (6, 8).

You want to describe the same location in polar coordinates ... R and Θ .

-- 'R' is the distance from the origin to the point.

-- 'Θ' is the angle you'd need to turn the x-axis counterclockwise
around the origin to make it pass through the point.

To change rectangular coordinates to polar coordinates:

R = √(x² + y²)

Θ = the angle whose tangent is (y / x) .

(6i + 8j) is the [Cartesian] vector that takes you from the origin to (6, 8) .

R = √(6² + 8²) = √(36 + 64) = √100 = 10

Θ = tan⁻¹ (8/6) = 53.13° (rounded)

In polar coordinates, the same point is 10 ∠53.13° .


User Padarom
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