polar coordinates

British  

plural noun

1. 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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Example Sentences

Starting with polar coordinates, we can follow this same process to create a new three- dimensional coordinate system, called the cylindrical coordinate system.

From Textbooks • Mar. 30, 2016

Then simplify to get x2 + y2 = 2x, which in polar coordinates becomes r 2 = 2r cos θ and then either r = 0 or r = 2 cos θ.

From Textbooks • Mar. 30, 2016

Figure 5.50 Cylindrical coordinates are similar to polar coordinates with a vertical z coordinate added.

From Textbooks • Mar. 30, 2016

In this section, we look at two different ways of describing the location of points in space, both of them based on extensions of polar coordinates.

From Textbooks • Mar. 30, 2016

In the geometry of motion under central forces the advantage of working with polar coordinates is great.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 6 "Geodesy" to "Geometry" by Various