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#1 2012-06-23 11:06:21
- genericname
- Member
- Registered: 2012-05-16
- Posts: 52
Question about coverting Cartesian coordinates to Polar coordinates
Hi, I'm confused about how to convert something like (0,2) to Polar coordinates. The correct formula is this right?:
r^2= (x^2 + y^2)^1/2
Θ = tan^-1 (y/x)
When I plug in the values, I'd get something like Θ = tan^-1 (2/0). How would you continue in a situation like this? Am I doing something wrong?
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#2 2012-06-23 11:25:37
- bobbym
- bumpkin
- From: Bumpkinland
- Registered: 2009-04-12
- Posts: 109,606
Re: Question about coverting Cartesian coordinates to Polar coordinates
Hi genericname;
You do not use the atan function you use the atan2 function:
So for (0,2)
In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.
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#3 2012-06-23 12:24:08
- genericname
- Member
- Registered: 2012-05-16
- Posts: 52
Re: Question about coverting Cartesian coordinates to Polar coordinates
Awesome. Thank you!
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#4 2012-06-23 14:57:51
- bobbym
- bumpkin
- From: Bumpkinland
- Registered: 2009-04-12
- Posts: 109,606
Re: Question about coverting Cartesian coordinates to Polar coordinates
Hi genericname;
Your welcome.
In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.
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