Polar vs. Cartesian Coordinates
In the Cartesian system the coordinates are perpendicular to one another with the same unit length on both axes.
2D Cartesian coordinates in the figure below: (2,3)
A Polar coordinate system is determined by a fixed point, a origin or pole, and a zero direction or axis. Each point is determined by an angle and a distance relative to the zero axis and the origin.
Polar coordinates in the figure above: (3.6, 56.31)
Polar coordinates can be calculated from Cartesian coordinates like
r = (x2 + y2)1/2 (1)
where
r = distance from origin to the point
x = Cartesian x-coordinate
y = Cartesian y-coordinate
θ = atan(y / x)
= tan-1(y / x) (2)
where
θ = angle relative to the zero axis (degrees)
Cartesian coordinates can be calculated from Polar coordinates like
x = r cos(θ) (3)
y = r sin(θ) (4)
Cartesian to Polar Coordinates Converter
Polar to Cartesian Coordinates Converter
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