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Polar coordinates

Each point in a plane can be described with polar coordinates, which are indicated by

(r, θ)

 

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Explanation

Where r is a positive real number that specifies the distance from the origin. The Greek letter θ (theta) is a real number that specifies the angle with the x-axis.

Polar coordinates are used in the polar form

x = r · e ^φ

 

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Example 1

You can convert the rectangular coordinates (x, y) in the polar coordinates (r, θ)

(x = 1, y = √3)   −−>   (r = 2, θ = 60°)

 

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Example 2

You can convert the polar coordinates (r, θ) in the rectangular coordinates (x, y)

(r = 2, θ = 60°)   −−>   (x = 1, y = 1.732050808)

 

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History The Flemish mathematician Grégoire de Saint-Vincent and the Italian mathematician Bonaventura Cavalieri independently introduced this concept in the 17th century. The term polar coordinates is attributed to the Italian mathematician Gregorio Fontana in the 18th century.

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