polar coordinate

noun Mathematics.

Usually polar coordinates. one of two coordinates used to locate a point in a plane by the length of its radius vector and the angle this vector makes with the polar axis (polar angle).

Origin of polar coordinate

First recorded in 1810–20

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British Dictionary definitions for polar coordinates

polar coordinates

pl n

a pair of coordinates for locating a point in a plane by means of the length of a radius vector, r, which pivots about the origin to establish the angle, θ, that the position of the point makes with a fixed line. Usually written (r, θ)See also Cartesian coordinates, spherical coordinates

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