To Convert from Polar to Cartesian

When we know a point in Polar Coordinates (r, ?), and we want it in Cartesian Co
ordinates (x,y) we solve a right triangle with a known long side and angle:
Example: What is (13, 22,6) in Cartesian Coordinates?

Use the Cosine Function for x:

Rearranging and solving:
x = 13 0,923
x = 12,002...

cos( 22,6 ) = x / 13
x = 13 cos( 22,6 )

Use the Sine Function for y:

sin( 22,6 ) = y / 13
Rearranging and solving:
y = 13 sin( 22,6 )
y = 13 0,391
y = 4,996...
Answer: the point (13, 22,6) is almost exactly (12, 5) in Cartesian Coordinates.

So, to convert from Polar Coordinates (r,?) to Cartesian Coordinates (x,y) :

x = r cos( ? )
y = r sin( ? )
But What About Negative Values of X and Y?
Quadrants
Four Quadrants
When we include negative values, the x and y axes divide the
space up into 4 pieces:
Quadrants I, II, III and IV
(They are numbered in a counter-clockwise direction)
When converting from Polar to Cartesian coordinates it all works out nicely:
Example: What is (12, 195) in Cartesian coordinates?
r = 12 and ? = 195
x = 12 cos(195)
x = 12 -0,9659...
x = -11,59 to 2 decimal places
y = 12 sin(195)
y = 12 -0,2588...
y = -3,11 to 2 decimal places
So the point is at (-11,59, -3,11), which is in Quadrant III
But when converting from Cartesian to Polar coordinates ...
... the calculator can give the wrong value of tan-1
It all depends what Quadrant the point is in! Use this to fix things:
Quadrant
Value of tan-1
I
Use the calculator value

II
III
IV

Add 180 to the calculator value

Add 180 to the calculator value
Add 360 to the calculator value

Example: P = (-3, 10)

P is in Quadrant II
r =
r =
? =
? =
The

v((-3)2 + 102)
v109 = 10,4 to 1 decimal place
tan-1(10/-3)
tan-1(-3,33...)
calculator value for tan-1(-3,33...) is -73,3

The rule for Quadrant II is: Add 180 to the calculator value
? = -73,3 + 180 = 106,7
So the Polar Coordinates for the point (-3, 10) are (10,4, 106,7)