Chapter 1: Problem 4
Convert point \((-8,8,-7)\) from Cartesian coordinates to cylindrical coordinates.
Short Answer
Expert verified
Cylindrical coordinates are \(\left(8\sqrt{2}, \frac{3\pi}{4}, -7\right)\).
Step by step solution
01
Understanding the Problem
Our task is to convert Cartesian coordinates (-8, 8, -7) into cylindrical coordinates.Cylindrical coordinates are given as \((r, \theta, z)\), where \(r\) is the radial distance, \(\theta\) is the angle in the x-y plane, and \(z\) is the height which corresponds to the z-value in Cartesian coordinates.
02
Calculate Radial Distance (r)
In cylindrical coordinates, the radial distance \(r\) is calculated using the formula\[ r = \sqrt{x^2 + y^2} \].Given \(x = -8\) and \(y = 8\), we find\[ r = \sqrt{(-8)^2 + 8^2} = \sqrt{64 + 64} = \sqrt{128} = 8\sqrt{2} \].
03
Find Angle (\(\theta\))
The angle \(\theta\) can be found using the formula \(\theta = \tan^{-1}(\frac{y}{x})\).Substitute the values \(x = -8\) and \(y = 8\):\[ \theta = \tan^{-1}(\frac{8}{-8}) = \tan^{-1}(-1) \].Since the point is in the second quadrant, \(\theta = \frac{3\pi}{4}\) (as angles are measured from the positive x-axis).
04
Extract Height (z)
In cylindrical coordinates, the height \(z\) remains the same as in Cartesian coordinates.Thus, \(z = -7\).
05
Compile the Cylindrical Coordinates
Now that we have all the components, the cylindrical coordinates are given by \((r, \theta, z)\).Therefore, the cylindrical coordinates of the point (-8, 8, -7) are \(\left(8\sqrt{2}, \frac{3\pi}{4}, -7\right)\).
Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!
-
Full Textbook Solutions
Get detailed explanations and key concepts
-
Unlimited Al creation
Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...
-
Ads-free access
To over 500 millions flashcards
-
Money-back guarantee
We refund you if you fail your exam.
Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!
Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Cartesian Coordinates
Cartesian coordinates are a way to specify the location of a point in space using a pair (in 2D) or triplet (in 3D) of numbers.
In a 3D system, these numbers are represented as \(x, y, z\). Here, each of these values describes the point's distance from three perpendicular planes: the x-plane, y-plane, and z-plane.
This system is ideal for representing points in a straightforward, linear manner.
In a 3D system, these numbers are represented as \(x, y, z\). Here, each of these values describes the point's distance from three perpendicular planes: the x-plane, y-plane, and z-plane.
This system is ideal for representing points in a straightforward, linear manner.
- \(x\) represents the horizontal distance from the y-axis.
- \(y\) denotes the vertical distance from the x-axis.
- \(z\) indicates the distance from the x-y plane.
Cylindrical Coordinates
Cylindrical coordinates provide an alternative way to locate points in three-dimensional space, using a combination of length and angle.
They are denoted as \(r, \theta, z\), where \(r\) is the radial distance (a measure of length from the origin in the x-y plane), \(\theta\) is the angle formed with the positive x-axis, and \(z\) remains consistent with its Cartesian counterpart.
They are denoted as \(r, \theta, z\), where \(r\) is the radial distance (a measure of length from the origin in the x-y plane), \(\theta\) is the angle formed with the positive x-axis, and \(z\) remains consistent with its Cartesian counterpart.
- Radial Distance (r): It's akin to the radius of a circle in the plane.
- Angle (\theta): Expressed in radians, indicating direction.
- Height (z): Same as Cartesian, indicating elevation from the x-y plane.
Radial Distance
In the context of cylindrical coordinates, the radial distance \(r\) is the distance from the origin to the point's projection in the x-y plane.
This is calculated using the formula \[ r = \sqrt{x^2 + y^2} \].
The radial distance is essential as it partially determines the point’s position in the plane.
Consider how:
This is calculated using the formula \[ r = \sqrt{x^2 + y^2} \].
The radial distance is essential as it partially determines the point’s position in the plane.
Consider how:
- \(r\) acts like the radius of a circle centered at the origin.
- It is always non-negative, capturing the distance without direction.
Angle Calculation
Finding the angle \(\theta\) in cylindrical coordinates requires understanding the trigonometric relation in the x-y plane.
The formula \( \theta = \tan^{-1}\left(\frac{y}{x}\right) \) gives you the angle relative to the positive x-axis.
While the formula appears simple, correctly interpreting \(\theta\) requires attention to the signs and quadrants. Here are steps to consider:
The formula \( \theta = \tan^{-1}\left(\frac{y}{x}\right) \) gives you the angle relative to the positive x-axis.
While the formula appears simple, correctly interpreting \(\theta\) requires attention to the signs and quadrants. Here are steps to consider:
- Identify \(x\) and \(y\)'s signs to determine the quadrant.
- Use inverse tangent carefully, as it typically returns values from \(-\frac{\pi}{2}\) to \(\frac{\pi}{2}\).
- Adjust \(\theta\) based on the quadrant for accurate directional measurement.