How do you convert (15, -3) into polar coordinates?

1 Answer
Jim G.
Jan 20, 2016

# (sqrt234 , - 11.3^@ ) #

Explanation:

To convert from Cartesian coordinates to Polar . Use the
following formulae.

#• r^2 = x^2 + y^2 #

#• tantheta = (y/x) #

In this question x = 15 and y = - 3

so # r^2 = 15^2 + (- 3 )^2 = 225 + 9 = 234 rArr r = sqrt234#

and # tantheta = (-3/15) rArr theta = tan^-1 (-3/15) = - 11.3^@#

Note : ( 15 , - 3 ) is a point in the 4th quadrant and so #theta # must
be in this quadrant

Since negative angles are measured from the x-axis in a
clockwise direction then #theta = -11.3^@# is in this quadrant.

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