Polar Coordinates - Analytic Geometry and Calculus II | Lecture 59

In this lecture we present that basics of describing a points location in the Cartesian plane using polar coordinates. While the usual Cartesian description of points is based on rectangles, here it is demonstrated that we can equivalently describe them using circles, leading to the definition of polar coordinates. A number of insightful examples are presented to illustrate how these new and equivalent coordinates can be used to simply the definition of curves in the plane.

This course is taught by Jason Bramburger for George Mason University.

Course Topics and Goals: At the end of the semester, students should be able to solve various geometry and physics problems that are modelled with definite integrals, use techniques to evaluate integrals, understand infinite series and power series, and be able to identify and graph conic sections and basic parameter and polar curves.