Question

Express the polar coordinates (2,3pi/4) as Cartesian coordinates

Answer 1

The Cartesian equivalent of the polar coordinates (r, theta) is

(r cos t, r sin t), where t = theta.

So, (2, 3pi/4) becomes

(2 cos(3pi/4), 2 sin(3pi/4))

(2 • -sqrt{2}/2, 2 • sqrt{2}/2)

Answer: (-sqrt{2}, sqrt{2})

Done.

Note: sqrt = square root for short.