Thread: Applications for polar coordinate system

1. Applications for polar coordinate system

can someone give me the applications of Polar coordinate System in daily life with at least 3 examples. i can do it on paper . but im kinda confused about real life application of polar coordinates.

2. Re: Applications for polar coordinate system

Originally Posted by victor6
can someone give me the applications of Polar coordinate System in daily life with at least 3 examples. i can do it on paper . but im kinda confused about real life application of polar coordinates.
Navigation and targeting are the most common use of polar coordinates I can think of off hand. Positions of ships or other objects relative to yourself or some other object are frequently given as a range and a bearing.

Latitude and longitude are based on polar coordinates.

Clocks are sort of based on polar coordinates with each minute being equivalent to a 6 degree angular change.

If you ever get into problems involving pendulums these are generally done using polar coordinates.

3. Re: Applications for polar coordinate system

Hello, victor6!

I have introduced Polar Coordinates
to my students like this . . .

You give directions from your friend's house $(A)$ to your house $(B)$.
If this is in a city, your direction might go like this:
. . Go 4 blocks east and 3 blocks north.

Code:
                      * B
|
+
| 3
+
|
A * - + - + - + - *
4
The coordinates of your house are: $(4,3).$

If you are located in the woods,

Code:
                     * B
*  :
5 *     :
*        :
* 36.9o     :
A * - - - - - - -*
You might say:
. . Face east.
. . Turn north about 36.9o.
. . Walk out 5 blocks.

The polar coordinates of your house are: $(5,\,36.9^o)$

4. Re: Applications for polar coordinate system

Pretty much any problem that has "circular symmetry" would be better handled in polar coordinates rather than Cartesian coordinates.

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polar coordinates and their application in everyday life

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