Question 1

What is the difference between Cartesian and polar systems?

Accepted Answer

Cartesian defines a point using two perpendicular distances (x, y), while polar defines it using a distance from the center (r) and an angle from the positive axis (theta).

Question 2

How do I convert from degrees to radians?

Accepted Answer

Radians = degrees × (pi/180). For example: 90 degrees = 90 × (pi/180) = pi/2 radians.

Question 3

When is the polar system better?

Accepted Answer

When dealing with circular motion, waves, rotation, or any phenomenon involving angles and distances from a center.

Question 4

What happens at the point (0,0)?

Accepted Answer

The point (0,0) in Cartesian corresponds to r=0 in polar. The angle is undefined because the point is at the center.

Question 5

Why pay attention to the quadrant when calculating the angle?

Accepted Answer

The inverse tan function gives an angle only in the first and fourth quadrants. You must manually adjust the result if the point is in the second or third quadrant.

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