Converting Cartesian to Polar Coordinates: How Do We Get r and Theta?

In summary, the conversation is about converting equations from Cartesian to polar form. The goal is to get a function that is only in terms of r and theta. The process involves substituting the polar forms of x and y into the equation and rearranging to get r on one side.
  • #1
GloryUs
4
0

Homework Statement


Write equation in polar form. y=3x+4


Homework Equations


x^2 + y^2 = r^2
x = rcos(theta)
y = rsin(theta)
tan(theta) = y/x


The Attempt at a Solution



Square both sides...
y^2 = 9x^2 + 24x + 16

r^2 - x^2 = 9x^2 +24x +16

r^2 = 10x^2 + 24x + 16

And that's where I got stuck...
 
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  • #2
Don't do it like that. Substitute the polar form of x and y into your equation... and you'll be done.
 
  • #3
Replace EVERY x with [itex]r cos(\thet[/itex] and EVERY y with [itex]r sin(\theta)[/itex]
 
  • #4
What is your goal in converting from Cartesian to polar coordinates? You want to get a function that is:
r = a bunch of theta junk

So how do we turn y=3x+4 into an equation of nothing but r’s and theta’s? We use the two substations you have, then we get r all by it self on one side.
 

FAQ: Converting Cartesian to Polar Coordinates: How Do We Get r and Theta?

How do you convert y=3x+4 to polar form?

To convert y=3x+4 to polar form, you can use the following steps:

  1. Replace x with rcosθ and y with rsinθ.
  2. Simplify the equation using basic trigonometric identities.
  3. Use the Pythagorean theorem to solve for r.
  4. Use inverse trigonometric functions to solve for θ.
  5. Write the equation in the form r = f(θ).

What is the difference between Cartesian and polar coordinates?

Cartesian coordinates, also known as rectangular coordinates, use the x-axis and y-axis to locate a point on a plane. Polar coordinates, on the other hand, use the distance from the origin (r) and the angle from the positive x-axis (θ) to locate a point on a plane. In polar coordinates, a point is represented as (r, θ) instead of (x, y).

Can you convert any linear equation to polar form?

No, only linear equations with the form y = mx + b can be converted to polar form. This is because polar coordinates are based on the distance from the origin and the angle from the positive x-axis, which are not directly related to the slope (m) and y-intercept (b) of a linear equation.

What is the purpose of converting an equation to polar form?

Converting an equation to polar form can be useful for solving problems involving circular or rotational motion, such as finding the position of an object at a specific angle or distance from a fixed point. It can also make certain calculations and graphing easier, depending on the situation.

Can you convert polar coordinates to Cartesian coordinates?

Yes, polar coordinates can be converted to Cartesian coordinates using the following equations:

x = rcosθ

y = rsinθ

In other words, the x-coordinate is equal to the radius multiplied by the cosine of the angle, and the y-coordinate is equal to the radius multiplied by the sine of the angle.

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