Lesson 1: Graphing Polar Points in Polar Coordinate System
What is a polar coordinate system?
The polar coordinate system is a two-dimensional coordinate system where
each point is defined by a distance from a central point (origin) and an angle from a
reference direction. It's often used to represent points circularly or radially, with the
distance referred to as the radius and the angle measured in degrees or radians.
By using polar coordinates, we mark a point by how far away and at what angle
it is.
Here, the point P is at a distance 'r' from the origin (0) and is at an angle of θ from
the reference axis. The origin is called the pole, and the x-axis is termed the polar
axis.
The grid pattern for both coordinate systems is presented below.
The polar coordinate plane is a series of concentric circles around a central point of
reference, called the pole. Each circle represents one radius unit, and lines denoting
angles in radians are seen.
How to Plot Points Using Polar Coordinates?
The general form for writing polar coordinates is P (r, θ).
The radial coordinate is often denoted by r and the angular coordinate by θ.
Angles in polar coordinates are expressed in either degrees or radians.
360=2πradians
A diagram for the interconversion of radians and degrees is presented below for quick
reference.
Example:
5
For example, if we wished to plot the point P with polar coordinates (4, )
6
5
we’d start at the pole, move out along the polar axis 4 units, then rotate (4, )
6
radians counter-clockwise.
We may also visualize this process by thinking of the rotation first. To plot P (4,
5 5
) this way, we rotate counter-clockwise from the polar axis, then move outwards
6 6
from the pole 4 units.
5
Essentially, we are locating a point on the terminal side of which is 4 units
6
away from the pole.
If r<0we begin by moving in the opposite direction on the polar axis from the
5
pole. For example, to plot Q (-3.5, ) we have
4
❑
If we interpret the angle first, we rotate 4 radians, then move back through
the pole 3.5 units. Here we are locating a point 3.5 units away from the pole on the
5 ❑
terminal side of not 4 .
4
you may have guessed, θ<0means the rotation away from the polar axis is clockwise
−3
instead of counter-clockwise. Hence, to plot R (3.5, ) we have the following.
4
−3
From an "angles first" approach, we rotate then move out 3.5 units from
4
−3
the pole. We see that R is the point on the terminal side of θ= which is 3.5 units
4
from the pole.
Equivalent Representations of Polar Coordinates: As r ranges from 0 to infinity
and θ ranges from 0 to 2π, the point P specified by the polar coordinates (r, θ) covers
every point in the plane. Adding 2π to θ brings us back to the same point, so if we
allowed θ to range over an interval larger than 2π, each point would have multiple
polar coordinates. So (r, ) = (r,±2n). If −r is considered to be the same distance
from (0,0) as r, but in the direction opposite the terminal side of the angle, then an
equivalent form of (r, ) is given by (-r,±(2n+1)).
Example:
❑
Give three other polar coordinate representations of the point (3, 4 ): one with a
negative r, one with a negative , and one more of your choice.
❑
Step 1: Find other representations of the polar coordinates (3, 4 ) by adding (or
subtracting) a multiple of 2 to. (r,) = (r,±2n). where n is an integer.
❑
We will find one other representation of the point by adding 2 to = 4 .
❑ ❑ 9
(3, 4 ) = (3, 4 +2 ) = (3, )
4
To find another representation of the point but with a negative , we can
❑
subtract 2 from = 4 .
❑ ❑ −7
(3, 4 ) = (3, 4 −2) = (3, )
4
Original point
Adding 2pi in a theta
Subtracting 2pi in a theta
Step 2: To find another representation of (r,) using a negative radius r, add an odd
multiple of to and change r to −r. (r,) = (-r,±(2n+1)). where n is an integer.
❑ ❑ 5
(3, 4 ) = (-3, 4 +¿ ) = (-3, )
4
Using -3 for r
❑
Therefore, the more representation of (3, 4 ) are:
9
(3, )
4
−7
(3, )
4
5
(-3, )
4
Exercise:
1. For each point in the polar coordinate given below plot each point. Show your
solution.
a. P (2,240)
7
b. P (-4, )
6
−5
c. P (117, )
2
−❑
d. P (-3, 4 )
❑
2. Give three other polar coordinate representations of the point (1, 2 ): one with a
negative r, one with a negative , and one more of your choice.
Answers Key:
Solution
a. Whether to move 2 units along the polar axis and then rotate 240∘ or
rotate 240∘ and then move out 2 units from the pole, we plot P (2,240∘) below.
7 7
b. Plot (−4, ) by first moving 4 units to the left of the pole and then rotating
6 6
radians. Since r=−4<0, we find our point lies 4 units from the pole on the terminal side
❑
of 6 .
−5
c. To plot P (117, ) we move along the polar axis 117 units from the pole and
2
5
rotate clockwise ( ) radians as illustrated below.
2
d. Move three units to the left of the pole and follow up with a clockwise rotation of
❑ ❑
radians to plot P (117, ).
4 4
2. Solution
Find other representations of the polar coordinates (r,) by adding (or subtracting) a
multiple of 2 to . (r,) = (r,±2n). where n is an integer.
❑ 5
(1, 2 ) = (1, )
2
❑ −3
(1, 2 ) = (1, )
2
To find another representation of (r,) using a negative radius r, add an odd multiple
of to and change r to −r. (r,) = (-r,±(2n+1)). where n is an integer.
❑ 3
(1, 2 ) = (-1, )
2
❑
Therefore, the three more representations of (1, 2 ) are:
5
(1, )
2
−3
(1, )
2
3
(-1, )
2
