# Math Help - Polar coordinates

1. ## Polar coordinates

Find the polar coordinates corresponding to the point for which the rectangular coordinates are (2,-5), correct to 3 significant digits.

How do I start this problem?

2. Polar coordinates are $(r, {\theta})$

Therefore, $r=\sqrt{2^{2}+(-5)^{2}}$

${\theta}=tan^{-1}(\frac{-5}{2})$

3. $r = 5.39$

$\theta = -68.2\;degrees\Longrightarrow 360 + -68.2 = 291.8\;degrees$

Should I write my answer has $(5.39,\;291.8\;degrees)$

Or change the $291.8\;degrees$ to radians?

Which would give $291.8 \;degrees = 5.09 \;radians$

So the answer would be $(5.39,\; 5.09\; radians)$? Or the first one I listed?

5. Originally Posted by galactus
I really doubt that that is a true statement.
I for one, advocate dropping the use of degrees in mathematics.
My rational is simple: radians are numbers.

6. You are certainly right, Plato. I don't know what's wrong with me. Must've been a brain fart. I was actually thinking the other way, but posted the opposite.

7. Should I write my answer as this $(5.39,\; 5.09\; radians)$ or $(5.39,\;5.09)$

Should I write my answer as this $(5.39,\; 5.09\; radians)$ or $(5.39,\;5.09)$