spherical coordinate

American  

noun

Mathematics.

1. Usually spherical coordinates any of three coordinates used to locate a point in space by the length of its radius vector and the angles this vector makes with two perpendicular polar planes.

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spherical coordinate Scientific  

1. Any of a set of coordinates in a three-dimensional system for locating points in space by means of a radius vector and two angles measured from the center of a sphere with respect to two arbitrary, fixed, perpendicular directions.

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Etymology

Origin of spherical coordinate

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

Cylindrical and spherical coordinate substitutions are special cases of this method, which we demonstrate here.

From Textbooks • Mar. 30, 2016

Now that we are familiar with the spherical coordinate system, let’s find the volume of some known geometric figures, such as spheres and ellipsoids.

From Textbooks • Mar. 30, 2016

The coordinate θ in the spherical coordinate system is the same as in the cylindrical coordinate system, so surfaces of the form θ = c are half-planes, as before.

From Textbooks • Mar. 30, 2016

As stated before, spherical coordinate systems work well for solids that are symmetric around a point, such as spheres and cones.

From Textbooks • Mar. 30, 2016

“It could be providing a spherical coordinate system that the animal could use for spatial positioning,” he said.

From New York Times • Jun. 21, 2011