My Math Forum A question about converting cylindrical coordinates to rectangular coordinates

 Calculus Calculus Math Forum

 May 16th, 2017, 12:42 PM #1 Newbie   Joined: May 2017 From: Croatia Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 A question about converting cylindrical coordinates to rectangular coordinates I have a problem figuring something out when it comes to converting cylindrical to 3D rectangular coordinates. the formulas for converting are as follows: x = r cos theta y = r sin theta z = z If we're just using basic trigonometry to figure out the sides of the triangle of which the angle theta is a part of, and the angle itself lies between x and r, how can we use any of these functions to figure out the y if y is not a part of the same triangle with x and r? Shouldn't the angle between r and y be something other than theta ? How can we get y by applying these functions to theta then? Can anyone please explain this? Thanks. Last edited by skipjack; May 17th, 2017 at 06:17 AM.
 May 19th, 2017, 03:28 AM #2 Math Team   Joined: Jan 2015 From: Alabama Posts: 2,489 Thanks: 630 I don't understand how it could possibly happen that "y is not a part of the same triangle with x and r". "r" is, by definition of "polar" (and so "cylindrical") coordinates, the line from the origin to the point (x, y). It is always the hypotenuse of a right triangle having x and y as legs.

 Thread Tools Display Modes Linear Mode

 Similar Threads Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post fishyperil Calculus 2 June 9th, 2017 01:54 PM momolin Calculus 1 April 20th, 2014 12:49 PM zzinfinity Linear Algebra 0 September 13th, 2013 10:25 AM pipc Real Analysis 1 December 26th, 2011 11:14 PM Eppo Algebra 5 January 9th, 2008 02:35 PM

 Contact - Home - Forums - Cryptocurrency Forum - Top