Learn to convert rectangular coordinates to polar form

[@gevans5446]

Excellent explanation. No fluff, just substance. Thank you!

[@KenSellers]

When converting (x,y) to polar, simply using inverse tangent (arctan) to get the angle will give you the wrong answer if the point is in the second or third quadrant.

[@Salamanca-joro]

So what should be done next ? after gutting 53.1 as an answer ? , I saw some teacher adding 180 to the 53.1 and it become 127 degree and he said this is the final answer So do we add always 180 to the answer? Or we added 180 because r was 3 If r were 2 we would have added 90? I am really confused 😕

[@WorkinOnIt]

@@Salamanca-joro I am NOT a math guy but I think this works: Plot the rectangular (x,y) point. Then plot the polar point. If they're the same, you're done. If they're in opposite quadrants, you need to add (or subtract) 180 degrees (pi in radians). Good luck!

[@shatyiamccune5712]

How did he get 5?

[@Salamanca-joro]

3 to the power of 2 is 9 4 to the power of 2 is 16 9 plus 16 is 25 Square root of 25 is 5