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# Conversion from polar to cartesian coordinate systems

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Why do i have to convert from polar to cartesians coordinates? Im reading Chris Hargroves Intro to 3D Graphics Programming: Volume II
Welp, last identity.... this one, taken from Polar coordinates. If
you've had algebra, you've used Polar coordinates before. Well if
you remember the way to convert a polar point to Cartesian (I
doubt you do, so I'll remind you... it's gonna take a while before
you end up memorizing all these darn formulas, trust me  those
conversions are

X = R*Cos(Theta)     *** Don't confuse these with our R, X, or Y!
Y = R*Sin(Theta)         They're just conversion equations ***

I thought everything was on the cartesian coordinate plane... How does the polar plane have anything to do with this? [edited by - MrPoopypants on May 9, 2004 9:42:39 PM]

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Using different coordinate systems can greatly simply operations like integration when the plane in question is known to be of a ceratin type. For instance, spherical, polar and cylindrical coordinates make cyclical life much, much easier once conversions have been made.

blah blah blah.

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