Polar Coordinates

Definition, Conversions, and

Integration
 Where is it?
Coordinate systems are used to locate the position of a point.

(3,1) (1,/6)

In rectangular coordinates: In polar coordinates:

•We break up the plane into a grid of
horizontal and vertical line lines.
•We locate a point by identifying it
as the intersection of a vertical and a
horizontal line.
•We break up the plane with circles
centered at the origin and with rays
emanating from the origin.
•We locate a point as the
intersection of a circle and a ray.
 Locating points in Polar Coordinates
Suppose we see the point
(r, )= (2,/6)
r =2
and we know it is in polar
coordinates. Where is it in the
plane?
(2,/6)
The first coordinate,
r =2, indicates the
distance of the point
from the origin.  = /6

The second coordinate,  = /6,

indicates the distance counter-
clockwise around from the
positive x-axis.
 Locating points in Polar Coordinates
Note, however, that every point in
the plane as infinitely many polar
representations.


(r , )  2, 
6  (2,/6)

 = /6
 Locating points in Polar Coordinates
Note, however, that every point in
the plane as infinitely many polar
representations.

 6
(r , )  2,   2,13 6 
  2,   2 
2  
6
6
 Locating points in Polar Coordinates
Note, however, that every point in
the plane as infinitely many polar
representations.

 6
(r , )  2,   2, 11 6 
  2,   2 
6   2
6
  2,   2 
6
And we can go clockwise or
counterclockwise around the circle as
many times as we wish!
 Converting Between Polar and
Rectangular Coordinates
It is fairly easy to see that if
(x,y) and (r, ) represent the
same point in the plane:
 r, 
x  r cos()
y  r sin()
r x y
2 2 2
These relationships allow us to
convert back and forth between
x rectangular and polar coordinates
tan() 
y
Integration in Polar
Coordinates
Non-rectangular Integration
Elements
 Small Changes in r and 

Suppose we consider a small

change from r

. . . to r + dr r + dr
r
 Small Changes in r and 

Suppose we consider a small

change from r

. . . to r + dr r + dr
This gives us a thin “ring” r
around the origin.
 Small Changes in r and 

Suppose we consider a small

change from 

. . . to  + d

 + d
 Small Changes in r and 

Suppose we consider a small

change from 
d
. . . to  + d

This gives us a “pie-shaped  + d
wedge” that is subtended by
the angle d.
 Small Changes in r and 

Intersecting the “thin ring”

. . . and the “pie-shaped

wedge”,

. . . we get . . .
 Small Changes in r and 

Intersecting the “thin ring”

. . . and the “pie-shaped

wedge”,

. . . we get . . .
Small Changes in r and 
In order to integrate a function
given in polar coordinates
(without first converting to
rectangular coordinates!), we
need to know the area of this
little piece.

Why?
Integration in Polar Coordinates
In order to integrate a function given in polar coordinates, we will first
“chop up” our region into a bunch of concentric circles and rays
emanating from the origin.

(r*,*, f(r*,*))

(r*,*)

Now do this for

each little
“wedge” and add
up the volumes
of the “towers”.
Problem: the volume of the “tower” is the area of the base times the
height. But the base is not a rectangle, so its area is not dr d!
Area of the “Small Bit”
A= area of sector of a circle

 A r 2

 2  A
2 r 2
Area of a “Small Bit”
In order to integrate a function
given in polar coordinates
(without first converting to
rectangular coordinates!), we
need to know the area of this
little piece.

(r  dr )2 d  r 2 d 
dA  
2 2
 Area of a “Small Bit”

(r  dr ) 2 d  r 2 d 
dA  
2 2


 r 2
 2 rdr  ( dr ) 2
 d  r 2d 

2 2 So . . .
dr 2 d 
 r dr d   V   f (r , ) r dr d 
2 R

dA  r dr d 

dV  f (r, ) dA  f (r, ) r dr d 