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What are the rectangular coordinates for (2,-60 degrees)

A. (1, 1.7)
B. (-1, 1.7)
C. (1, -1.7)
D. (-1, -1.7)

User Ryanthon
by
8.1k points

1 Answer

2 votes

Final answer:

The rectangular coordinates for polar coordinates (2,-60 degrees) are (1, -1.732), which is closest to option C, (1, -1.7). The conversion involves using sine and cosine for the polar to rectangular coordinate transformation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question is asking to convert polar coordinates to rectangular coordinates. To convert the given polar coordinates (2,-60 degrees) to rectangular coordinates (x, y), we use the formulas x = r cos(\u03b8) and y = r sin(\u03b8), where r is the radius and \u03b8 is the angle in radians.

In this case, r = 2 and \u03b8 = -60 degrees. First, we convert -60 degrees to radians by multiplying by \u03c0/180. So, -60 degrees is equivalent to -\u03c0/3 radians.

Now using the formulas:

  • x = 2 cos(-\u03c0/3) = 2 \u00d7 0.5 = 1
  • y = 2 sin(-\u03c0/3) = 2 \u00d7 (-\u221a3/2) = -\u221a3 ≈ -1.732

Therefore, the rectangular coordinates for (2,-60 degrees) are approximately (1, -1.732). This is most closely matched by option C, which is (1, -1.7).

User Gustafbstrom
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7.9k points