Table of contents
- 0. Fundamental Concepts of Algebra3h 29m
- 1. Equations and Inequalities3h 27m
- 2. Graphs1h 43m
- 3. Functions & Graphs2h 17m
- 4. Polynomial Functions1h 54m
- 5. Rational Functions1h 23m
- 6. Exponential and Logarithmic Functions2h 28m
- 7. Measuring Angles40m
- 8. Trigonometric Functions on Right Triangles2h 5m
- 9. Unit Circle1h 19m
- 10. Graphing Trigonometric Functions1h 19m
- 11. Inverse Trigonometric Functions and Basic Trig Equations1h 41m
- 12. Trigonometric Identities 2h 34m
- 13. Non-Right Triangles1h 38m
- 14. Vectors2h 25m
- 15. Polar Equations2h 5m
- 16. Parametric Equations1h 6m
- 17. Graphing Complex Numbers1h 7m
- 18. Systems of Equations and Matrices3h 6m
- 19. Conic Sections2h 36m
- 20. Sequences, Series & Induction1h 15m
- 21. Combinatorics and Probability1h 45m
- 22. Limits & Continuity1h 49m
- 23. Intro to Derivatives & Area Under the Curve2h 9m
15. Polar Equations
Polar Coordinate System
Struggling with Precalculus?
Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first videoMultiple Choice
Plot the point (3,2π) & find another set of coordinates, (r,θ), for this point, where:
(A) r≥0,2π≤θ≤4π,
(B) r≥0,−2π≤θ≤0,
(C) r≤0,0≤θ≤2π.
A
(3,25π),(−3,−23π),(−3,23π)
B
(3,25π),(3,−23π),(−3,23π)
C
(−3,25π),(−3,−23π),(−3,2π)
D
(3,25π),(3,−23π),(−3,2π)

1
Understand that the point (3, \(\frac{\pi}{2}\)) is given in polar coordinates, where 3 is the radius (r) and \(\frac{\pi}{2}\) is the angle (θ) in radians.
To find another set of coordinates for this point, we need to adjust the angle θ while keeping the radius r the same or changing its sign, depending on the conditions given.
For condition (A), where \(r \geq 0\) and \(2\pi \leq \theta \leq 4\pi\), add \(2\pi\) to the original angle: \(\theta = \frac{\pi}{2} + 2\pi = \frac{5\pi}{2}\). The new coordinates are (3, \(\frac{5\pi}{2}\)).
For condition (B), where \(r \geq 0\) and \(-2\pi \leq \theta \leq 0\), subtract \(2\pi\) from the original angle: \(\theta = \frac{\pi}{2} - 2\pi = -\frac{3\pi}{2}\). The new coordinates are (3, \(-\frac{3\pi}{2}\)).
For condition (C), where \(r \leq 0\) and \(0 \leq \theta \leq 2\pi\), change the sign of the radius and add \(\pi\) to the original angle: \(r = -3\) and \(\theta = \frac{\pi}{2} + \pi = \frac{3\pi}{2}\). The new coordinates are (-3, \(\frac{3\pi}{2}\)).
Watch next
Master Intro to Polar Coordinates with a bite sized video explanation from Patrick
Start learning