Coordinate Systems

Being able to describe something's geometric position is fundamental to a useful and robust mathematical system. So how exactly have we as humans taken to doing this? Well, we use coordinate systems of course! From maps to graphs, and the pixels on the screen you are viewing this on, coordinate systems are everywhere in our everyday lives if you look closely enough, and life just wouldn't be the same without them!

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    Coordinate systems are systems employed to describe the position of points in a defined space using one or multiple numbers.

    Coordinate System Meaning

    There are many types of coordinate systems, some may be very familiar, such as simple number lines, and others you may not be so familiar with, such as polar coordinate systems. The important thing that all coordinate systems have in common, is that they give us a means of describing where a point is in space, relative to some origin, i.e. the zero point of the system.

    The number line below is a very simple example of a coordinate system.

    Coordinate systems number line, StudySmarterExample of a number line, StudySmarter Originals

    The position of a point on the number line can be expressed as a single number. This number essentially denotes the horizontal distance of that point from the origin, i.e. where the 0 is marked. The position of any point in the coordinate system is made in reference to the origin.

    For instance, point A on the number line below is 3 units from the origin.

    Coordinate systems, number line, StudySmarterPoint A on a number line, StudySmarter Originals

    Now, let's take a closer look at some of the main coordinate systems you might come across.

    Different Types of Coordinate Systems

    There are two primary types of coordinate systems in mathematics: the cartesian coordinate system and the polar coordinate system. The cartesian coordinate system is defined by distances along a set of perpendicular number lines, whereas the polar coordinate system is defined by an angle and radial distance. Let's dig a little deeper into each to get a better understanding.

    The Cartesian Coordinate System

    By combining one vertical and one horizontal number line, we get the cartesian coordinate system. Each of these number lines is known as an axis, together creating a plane known as the coordinate plane.

    Coordinate systems, cartesian coordinate system, StudySmarterCartesian Coordinate System, StudySmarter Originals

    Any point on the coordinate plane can be described using two numbers, one to describe the distance along the horizontal axis, also known as the x-axis, and the other to describe the distance up the vertical axis, also known as the y-axis. Each of these numbers is known as a coordinate.

    The notation for the coordinates of a point in the cartesian coordinate system is simply a pair of numbers within brackets, the first representing the distance of a point from the origin along the x-axis, and the other representing the distance of a point from the origin along the y-axis.

    For instance, the point B on the below cartesian coordinate system has coordinates (2,3), as it is 2 steps along the x-axis, and 3 steps up the y-axis.

    coordinate systems cartesian coordinates example studysmarterPoint in a cartesian coordinate system, StudySmarter Originals

    By extending each axis, x and y to include numbers less than zero, i.e. negative numbers, we can reveal the full scope of the cartesian coordinate plane.

    Coordinate systems, cartesian coordinates example four quadrants, StudySmarterFour quadrant cartesian coordinate plane, StudySmarter

    1. If the point is located in the upper-right quadrant the two coordinates x and y will be positive.

    2. If the point is located in the upper-left quadrant then the x coordinate will be negative and the y coordinate will be positive.

    3. If the point is located in the lower-left quadrant then the two coordinates x and y will be negative.

    4. Finally, if the point is located in the lower-right quadrant then the x coordinate will be positive and the Y coordinate will be negative.

    (1)

    What are the coordinates of point C in the cartesian coordinate system below?

    Coordinate systems finding coordinates, StudySmarterCoordinate in the upper-left quadrant of the cartesian coordinate plane, StudySmarter

    Solution:

    By noticing that point C is located in the upper-left quadrant, we can assert that it must have a positive ycoordinate and negative xcoordinate.

    From observation, we can deduce that the x coordinate is3, as the perpendicular horizontal distance between point C and the y-axis is 3 units.

    On the other hand, the y coordinate is5, since the perpendicular vertical distance between point C and the x-axis is 5 units.

    Therefore, the cartesian coordinates of point C are(-3,5).

    (2)

    What are the coordinates of point D in the cartesian coordinate system below?

    Coordinate systems, cartesian coordinates example, StudySmarterCoordinate in the lower-left quadrant of the cartesian coordinate plane, StudySmarter

    Solution:

    By noticing that point D is located in the lower-left quadrant, we can assert that it must have a negative ycoordinate and a negative xcoordinate.

    From observation, we can deduce that the x coordinate is3, as the perpendicular horizontal distance between point D and the y-axis is3units.

    On the other hand, the y coordinate is 3,since the perpendicular vertical distance between point C and the x-axis is 3 units.

    Therefore, the cartesian coordinates of point C are (-3,-3).

    It is worth mentioning that 2 special cases will occur when the point is located on the x or the y-axes.

    This concept can be better explained by the following two examples:

    (3)

    What are the coordinates of point E in the cartesian coordinate system below?

    Coordinate systems, cartesian coordinates example, StudySmarterCartesian coordinates example,StudySmarter Originals

    Solution:

    Since the point E actually lies on the y-axis, the distance between it and the origin along the x-axis is in fact 0, therefore the x coordinate is0.

    On the other hand, since the vertical distance between point E and the origin is2units, it is clear that the y coordinate is2.

    So, we are able to conclude that the cartesian coordinates of E are (0,2).

    (4)

    What are the coordinates of point F in the cartesian coordinate system below?

    Coordinate systems, cartesian coordinates example, StudySmarterCartesian coordinates example, StudySmarter Originals

    Solution:

    Since the point F lies on the x-axis, the distance between it and the origin along the y-axis is0, therefore the y coordinate is 0.

    On the other hand, since the horizontal distance between point F and the origin is 5 units, it is clear that the x coordinate is 5.

    So, we are able to conclude that the cartesian coordinates of E are (5,0).

    After the two examples given before, we can conclude the following:

    1. If a point is located on the y-axis, then thexcoordinate is 0.

    2. If a point is located on the x-axis, then theycoordinate is 0.

    Polar Coordinate System

    The polar coordinate system bears similarities to the cartesian coordinate system in that the position of any point can be defined by two numbers. However, rather than these two numbers indicating distance along perpendicular axes, in the case of polar coordinates, the two numbers indicate radial distance and angular distance.

    What exactly do we mean by this? Let's take a look at a polar coordinate system to find out!

    You can see that the polar coordinate system below, rather than being made up of two perpendicular axes, is in fact made up of many concentric circles, with radial lines outward from their common center indicating angles.

    Coordinate systems, polar coordinate system, StudySmarterExample of a polar coordinate system,StudySmarter Originals

    Any point on this coordinate system can be found by first moving along the number line at 0° by the desired amount, and then performing a circular rotation. In essence, the two coordinates are a radius, id="2938695" role="math" r, and angle id="2938697" role="math" θ. This is written as (r,θ).

    Let's take point A below as an example. To reach point A, we simply move along the number line id="2938701" role="math" 3 units, and then make a rotation through id="2938699" role="math" 30°.

    Coordinate systems, finding polar coordinates, StudySmarterFinding polar coordinates, StudySmarter Originals

    We could, therefore, say that the polar coordinates of point A are (3,30°). However, more often coordinates in polar coordinate systems are given in radians rather than degrees.

    To convert degrees to radians we simply multiply by π180. Therefore, 30° in radians is

    30° = 30°×π180=π6

    So our new polar coordinates for point A are (3,π6).

    Let's take a look at another example to make sure we've got it!

    What are the polar coordinates of points B and C in the polar coordinate system below? Angles should be converted to radians.

    Coordinate systems, polar coordinate example, StudySmarterPolar coordinates example, - StudySmarter Originals

    Solution:

    Taking point B first, we can see that it can be reached by moving along 3 units along the number line at 0°, and then rotating an angular distance of 90°. Therefore, the polar coordinates of point B are (3,90°).

    To convert 90° to radians we simply multiply it by π180 and so

    90° = 90 × π180

    = π2

    Therefore the polar coordinates of point B are (3,π2).

    Now we simply do the same for point C. We see that it can be reached by moving along 2 units along the number line at 0°, and then rotating through an angular distance of 240°. Therefore the polar coordinates of point C are (2,240°).

    But wait! a rotation of 240° is the same as a rotation of -120°. Therefore the polar coordinates can also be written as (2,-120°). By multiplying each angle by π180 we get that point C has polar coordinates (2,4π3) or alternatively (2,-2π3).

    How exactly do we convert between coordinates in cartesian and polar coordinate systems though? Let's take a look!

    Coordinate System Conversion

    Converting between the two coordinate systems is simple if we employ some of our knowledge of trigonometry.

    Consider the following right-angled triangle in the cartesian coordinate plane. On this triangle, point A's cartesian and polar coordinates have been marked, (x,y) and (r,θ) respectively.

    Coordinate systems, converting polar cartesian coordinates, StudySmarterConverting polar cartesian coordinates, StudySmarter Originals

    Using simple trigonometry, we can note the following equations to be true

    id="2938793" role="math" y = r sinθ and id="2938791" role="math" x = rcosθ

    These equations allow us to convert from polar coordinates to cartesian coordinates.

    Considering Pythagoras theorem, we can find the following equation for id="2938795" role="math" r

    r = x2 + y2

    Finding angular position, θ, is then a simple case of employing trigonometry once again

    id="2938796" role="math" θ = sin-1yr or θ = cos-1xr

    Let's take a look at a couple of examples to make sure we've got it!

    (1)

    Convert the cartesian coordinates, (2,4), into polar coordinates.

    Solution:

    To find the r coordinate we simply use Pythagoras' theorem

    r = x2+y2

    r = 22 + 42

    r = 20 = 4.47

    Now to find the θ coordinate, we use trigonometry

    θ = sin-1yr

    θ = sin-144.47

    θ = sin-10.89 = 1.01

    Therefore the polar coordinates are (4.47,1.01)

    If you're struggling to get the correct angular coordinate, remember to set your calculator to radians!

    (2)

    Convert the following polar coordinates, (3,2) to cartesian coordinates.

    Solution:

    To convert from polar coordinates to cartesian, we use the following simple trigonometric equations.

    x = r sinθ and y = r cos(θ)

    Starting with the x coordinate

    x = r sin(θ)

    x = 3 sin(2) = 2.73

    And then the y coordinate

    y = r cos(θ)

    y = 3 cos(2) = -1.25

    Therefore the cartesian coordinates are (2.73,-1.25)

    Use of Coordinate Systems

    Coordinate systems are frequently used to represent the location of a point, but they can also be used to specify the location of more complex shapes like lines, planes, circles, or spheres.

    Perhaps the most important and oldest use of coordinate systems is in maps. World maps use a special geographic coordinate system that bears similarities to the cartesian coordinate system. Positions in world maps are made up of a latitude coordinate, and a longitude coordinate.

    As mentioned earlier in the explanation, screens use coordinate systems as well. Each pixel in a screen has a coordinate that specifies its place horizontally and vertically. This gives each pixel a unique identifier with which it can be located and controlled. This is all going on in the background of the device you are reading this on now!

    A modified version of polar coordinates is used in many forms of navigation. Polar coordinates are ideal for navigation as relative position can be defined by the desired angle of movement and the distance between points. The velocity-heading model is a guidance system used in missiles intercepting a moving target, and is based on the idea of polar coordinates!

    Coordinate Systems - Key takeaways

    • Coordinate systems are used to locate the position of a point in the plane.
    • In two-dimensional coordinate systems, each point is represented by two integers.
    • Two common coordinate systems are Cartesian and polar coordinate systems.
    • We can convert between polar and cartesian coordinate systems using a mixture of trigonometry and Pythagoras' theorem
    Frequently Asked Questions about Coordinate Systems

    What are coordinate systems?

    Coordinate systems are systems used to define the geometric position of points.

    What are examples of coordinate systems?

    Cartesian and Polar coordinate systems.

    What is the rectangular coordinate system?

    The rectangular coordinate system is more properly called the cartesian coordinate system. It defines position by using two perpendicular number lines.

    What is the importance of coordinate systems?

    Coordinate systems are used in many aspects of everyday life from maps to tv screens.

    How do you convert between polar and cartesian coordinates?

    Converting between cartesian and polar coordinates is a simple case of employing some trigonometry and Pythagoras' theorem.

    Test your knowledge with multiple choice flashcards

    If a point is in the third quadrant of a plane, then:

    If a point is in the fourth quadrant of a plane, then: 

    If a point is on the x-axis to the right, then: 

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