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student:mathematics:coordinate-systems-2d [2018/08/10 15:21] – created bernstdhstudent:mathematics:coordinate-systems-2d [2025/08/21 16:25] (current) – bernstdh
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- +===== Coordinate Systems for the Plane =====
-===== Mathematical Foundations: Coordinate Systems for the Plane =====+
  
  
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 In traditional Cartesian coordinates the origin is at located at  the "center" of the plane, the basis consists of the horizontal  and vertical axis, and positive values are in the "north east"  quadrant (i.e., horizontal coordinates increase from left to right  and vertical coordinates increas from down to up). This is illustrated  in the following figure. In traditional Cartesian coordinates the origin is at located at  the "center" of the plane, the basis consists of the horizontal  and vertical axis, and positive values are in the "north east"  quadrant (i.e., horizontal coordinates increase from left to right  and vertical coordinates increas from down to up). This is illustrated  in the following figure.
  
-{{cartesian-coordinates.gif}}+{{cartesian-coordinates.gif|Cartesian coordinates}}
  
 The horizontal coordinate is traditionally denoted by x  and the vertical coordinate is traditionally denoted by y. The horizontal coordinate is traditionally denoted by x  and the vertical coordinate is traditionally denoted by y.
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 Because of the way old hardware worked, most computer  screens/displays do not use Cartesian coordinates. Instead, they  use a rectangular system in which the origin is at the upper-left  corner, horizontal coordinates increase from left to right, and  vertical coordinates increase from up to down (and, as a result,  there are no negative coordinates). This is illustrated in the  following figure. Because of the way old hardware worked, most computer  screens/displays do not use Cartesian coordinates. Instead, they  use a rectangular system in which the origin is at the upper-left  corner, horizontal coordinates increase from left to right, and  vertical coordinates increase from up to down (and, as a result,  there are no negative coordinates). This is illustrated in the  following figure.
  
-{{coordinates.gif}}+{{coordinates.gif|Screen coordinates}}
  
 ==== Polar Coordinates ==== ==== Polar Coordinates ====
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-{{polar-coordinates.gif}}+{{polar-coordinates.gif|Polar coordinates}}
  
 While the angular quantity can be measured in radians or degrees, it is most commonly measured in radians. While the angular quantity can be measured in radians or degrees, it is most commonly measured in radians.
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 In the following figure, the point p can be thought of  as either having the Cartesian coordinates (p1,p2) or  the polar coordinates (θ,d). When converting from  polar coordinates to Cartesian coordinates we have (θ,d)  and must calculate (p1,p2). On the other hand, when converting  from Cartesian coordinates to polar coordinates we have (p1,p2)  and must find (θ,d). In the following figure, the point p can be thought of  as either having the Cartesian coordinates (p1,p2) or  the polar coordinates (θ,d). When converting from  polar coordinates to Cartesian coordinates we have (θ,d)  and must calculate (p1,p2). On the other hand, when converting  from Cartesian coordinates to polar coordinates we have (p1,p2)  and must find (θ,d).
  
-{{cartesian-to-polar.gif}}+{{cartesian-to-polar.gif|Converting from Cartesian coordinates to polar coordinates}}
  
 Given (θ,d) it is clear from the figure that  cos(θ)=p1/d and, hence, that  p1=dcos(θ). Similarly, it is clear from the  figure that sin(θ)=p2/d and, hence, that  p2=dsin(θ). Given (θ,d) it is clear from the figure that  cos(θ)=p1/d and, hence, that  p1=dcos(θ). Similarly, it is clear from the  figure that sin(θ)=p2/d and, hence, that  p2=dsin(θ).