W14. Coordinate Conic Systems

Author

Salman Ahmadi-Asl

Published

December 9, 2025

1. Theory

1.1 Polar Coordinates

Polar coordinates provide an alternative way to describe points in a plane using a distance and an angle, rather than horizontal and vertical displacements. While Cartesian coordinates use to specify a point’s location, polar coordinates use where is the distance from the origin (called the pole) and is the angle measured counterclockwise from the positive -axis (called the polar axis).

Think of polar coordinates as giving directions: “Walk 5 meters at a 30-degree angle northeast from here.” This is often more natural than saying “Walk 4.33 meters east and 2.5 meters north.”

1.1.1 Conversion Between Coordinate Systems

To convert between Cartesian and polar coordinates, we use the following relationships:

From Polar to Cartesian:

These formulas come from basic trigonometry: if you draw a right triangle with hypotenuse at angle , the horizontal leg is and the vertical leg is .

From Cartesian to Polar:

The first formula uses the Pythagorean theorem, and the second uses the definition of tangent. However, when finding , you must consider which quadrant the point is in to get the correct angle.

1.1.2 Converting Equations

To convert a Cartesian equation to polar form, substitute and and simplify. The goal is an equation with only and as variables.

For example:

  • The vertical line becomes , or
  • The circle becomes , or simply
  • The line becomes , which simplifies to , giving

Some equations become much simpler in polar form (like circles centered at the origin), while others become more complex.

1.2 Spherical Coordinates

Just as polar coordinates extend Cartesian coordinates in 2D, spherical coordinates extend them to 3D space. While 3D Cartesian coordinates use , spherical coordinates use where:

  • (rho) is the distance from the origin to the point
  • (theta) is the azimuthal angle in the -plane from the positive -axis (same as in 2D polar)
  • (phi) is the polar angle measured down from the positive -axis

Spherical coordinates are particularly useful when dealing with problems that have spherical symmetry, such as gravitational fields around planets, sound waves radiating from a point source, or navigation using latitude and longitude.

1.2.1 Conversion Formulas for Spherical Coordinates

From Spherical to Cartesian:

These formulas capture the 3D geometry: gives the radius of the circle in the -plane, which is then split into and components using and .

From Cartesian to Spherical:

Standard ranges are: , , and .

1.3 Conic Sections

Conic sections are curves obtained by intersecting a plane with a double cone. These include circles, ellipses, parabolas, and hyperbolas. They appear throughout mathematics, physics, and engineering—from planetary orbits to satellite dishes to architectural arches.

1.3.1 Focus-Directrix Definition

All conic sections (except circles) can be defined using a unified approach: A conic section is the set of all points such that the ratio of:

where is called the eccentricity. This single parameter determines the type of conic:

  • : Circle (special case where focus and center coincide)
  • : Ellipse (including circles)
  • : Parabola
  • : Hyperbola

The eccentricity measures how “stretched” the conic is. A circle has perfect symmetry (), while a parabola is the boundary case (), and hyperbolas are “open” curves ().

1.3.2 Ellipses

An ellipse is a closed curve where the sum of distances from any point on the curve to two fixed points (called foci) is constant. In standard form centered at the origin with horizontal major axis:

For this ellipse:

  • Semi-major axis: (half the longest diameter)
  • Semi-minor axis: (half the shortest diameter)
  • Eccentricity:
  • Foci: Located at where
  • Directrices: Vertical lines at

The closer is to , the more circular the ellipse (smaller ). If , we have a perfect circle with .

1.3.3 Hyperbolas

A hyperbola consists of two separate branches where the difference of distances from any point on the curve to two foci is constant. In standard form with horizontal transverse axis:

For this hyperbola:

  • Vertices: Located at
  • Eccentricity:
  • Foci: Located at where
  • Directrices: Vertical lines at
  • Asymptotes: Lines that the branches approach

Note that for hyperbolas, (with a plus sign), unlike ellipses where (with a minus sign).

1.3.4 Parabolas

A parabola is the set of points equidistant from a focus and a directrix. For a parabola opening to the right:

Properties:

  • Focus: Located at
  • Directrix: Vertical line
  • Eccentricity: (always)
  • Vertex: At the origin

The parameter is the distance from the vertex to the focus (and also from the vertex to the directrix).

1.4 Conic Sections in Polar Form

When a conic section has one focus at the origin, it can be expressed elegantly in polar coordinates. This form is especially useful in astronomy and physics.

1.4.1 General Polar Equation

The general polar form for a conic with focus at the origin is:

or

where:

  • is the eccentricity
  • is the perpendicular distance from the focus to the directrix
  • The sign determines whether the directrix is to the right/above (+) or left/below (-) of the focus
1.4.2 Converting Between Forms

Cartesian to Polar: To convert an ellipse or hyperbola in standard Cartesian form to polar form:

  1. Identify the parameters , , and calculate
  2. Find a focus location and shift coordinates so the focus is at the origin
  3. Determine (distance from focus to directrix)
  4. Apply the general polar formula with appropriate sign

Polar to Cartesian: To convert from polar to Cartesian:

  1. Multiply both sides by the denominator
  2. Substitute , , and
  3. Isolate any square root terms
  4. Square both sides (if necessary)
  5. Rearrange and complete the square to get standard form

2. Definitions

  • Polar Coordinates: A coordinate system that represents a point in the plane by , where is the distance from the origin and is the angle from the positive -axis.
  • Pole: The origin in the polar coordinate system.
  • Polar Axis: The positive -axis in the polar coordinate system, from which angles are measured.
  • Spherical Coordinates: A 3D coordinate system that represents a point as , where is the distance from the origin, is the azimuthal angle in the -plane, and is the polar angle from the positive -axis.
  • Conic Section: A curve obtained by intersecting a plane with a double cone, including circles, ellipses, parabolas, and hyperbolas.
  • Eccentricity: A parameter that determines the type of conic section: for circles, for ellipses, for parabolas, and for hyperbolas.
  • Focus (Foci): A fixed point (or points) used in the geometric definition of a conic section.
  • Directrix: A fixed line used in the focus-directrix definition of a conic section.
  • Ellipse: A conic section with eccentricity , appearing as a closed oval curve where the sum of distances from any point to two foci is constant.
  • Hyperbola: A conic section with eccentricity , consisting of two separate branches where the difference of distances from any point to two foci is constant.
  • Parabola: A conic section with eccentricity , where every point is equidistant from a focus and a directrix.
  • Semi-major Axis: For an ellipse, half the length of the longest diameter, denoted .
  • Semi-minor Axis: For an ellipse, half the length of the shortest diameter, denoted .
  • Vertex (Vertices): The points where a conic section intersects its axis of symmetry.
  • Asymptotes: Lines that a hyperbola’s branches approach but never touch.

3. Formulas

  • Polar to Cartesian Conversion: ,
  • Cartesian to Polar Conversion: ,
  • Spherical to Cartesian Conversion: , ,
  • Cartesian to Spherical Conversion: , ,
  • Ellipse Eccentricity: where
  • Hyperbola Eccentricity: where
  • Ellipse Standard Form: (horizontal major axis, )
  • Hyperbola Standard Form: (horizontal transverse axis)
  • Parabola Standard Forms: (right-opening), (upward-opening)
  • Ellipse Foci: for horizontal major axis
  • Ellipse Directrices: for horizontal major axis
  • Hyperbola Foci: for horizontal transverse axis
  • Hyperbola Directrices: for horizontal transverse axis
  • Hyperbola Asymptotes: for standard form
  • Parabola Focus: for
  • Parabola Directrix: for
  • Conic in Polar Form (Vertical Directrix):
  • Conic in Polar Form (Horizontal Directrix):
  • Line Through Two Points in Polar:
  • Line Through Two Points in Polar (Alternative):

4. Practice

4.1. Convert to Polar Form (Lab 10, Task 1)

Convert the Cartesian equation into polar form. Simplify your answer as much as possible.

Click to see the solution

Key Concept: Substitute and simplify.

  1. Substitute the conversion formula:
  2. Solve for :

Answer:

4.2. Convert to Polar Form (Lab 10, Task 2)

Convert the Cartesian equation into polar form.

Click to see the solution
  1. Substitute the conversion formula:
  2. Solve for :

Answer:

4.3. Convert to Polar Form (Lab 10, Task 3)

Convert the Cartesian equation into polar form.

Click to see the solution
  1. Substitute the conversion formulas:
  2. Divide both sides by (assuming ):
  3. Solve for :

Answer: or (These represent the same line through the origin)

4.4. Convert to Polar Form (Lab 10, Task 4)

Convert the Cartesian equation into polar form.

Click to see the solution
  1. Substitute the conversion formulas:
  2. Divide by :
  3. Solve for :

Answer: (plus for the opposite direction)

4.5. Convert to Polar Form (Lab 10, Task 5)

Convert the Cartesian equation into polar form.

Click to see the solution

Key Concept: Use the identity .

  1. Apply the identity:
  2. Take the positive square root:

Answer: (This represents a circle of radius 4 centered at the origin)

4.6. Convert to Polar Form (Lab 10, Task 6)

Convert the Cartesian equation into polar form.

Click to see the solution
  1. Substitute conversion formulas:
  2. Rearrange:
  3. Solve (excluding ):

Answer: (This represents a circle)

4.7. Convert to Polar Form (Lab 10, Task 7)

Convert the Cartesian equation into polar form.

Click to see the solution
  1. Substitute conversion formulas:
  2. Rearrange:
  3. Solve (excluding ):

Answer:

4.8. Convert to Polar Form (Lab 10, Task 8)

Convert the Cartesian equation into polar form.

Click to see the solution
  1. Substitute conversion formulas:
  2. Use the double angle identity :
  3. Solve for :

Answer:

4.9. Convert to Polar Form (Lab 10, Task 9)

Convert the Cartesian equation into polar form.

Click to see the solution
  1. Substitute conversion formulas:
  2. Divide by (assuming ):
  3. Solve for :

Answer:

4.10. Convert to Polar Form (Lab 10, Task 10)

Convert the Cartesian equation into polar form using the identity .

Click to see the solution
  1. Substitute conversion formulas:
  2. Use the double angle identity:
  3. Solve for :

Answer:

4.11. Convert to Polar Form (Lab 10, Task 11)

Convert the Cartesian equation into polar form.

Click to see the solution
  1. Substitute conversion formulas:
  2. Use the double angle identity:
  3. Rearrange:
  4. Solve (excluding ):

Answer:

4.12. Convert to Polar Form (Lab 10, Task 12)

Convert the Cartesian equation into polar form by thinking about the specific angle that satisfies this equation.

Click to see the solution
  1. Substitute conversion formulas:
  2. Divide by :
  3. Recognize the special angle:

Answer: (plus for the opposite ray)

4.13. Convert to Polar Form (Lab 10, Task 13)

Convert the Cartesian equation into polar form.

Click to see the solution
  1. Substitute the conversion formula:
  2. Solve for :
  3. Find the angles:

Answer: or (representing the -axis)

4.14. Convert to Polar Form (Lab 10, Task 14)

Convert the Cartesian equation into polar form. Hint: Expand the equation first.

Click to see the solution
  1. Expand the equation:
  2. Substitute conversion formulas:
  3. Factor:
  4. Solve (excluding ):

Answer:

4.15. Convert to Polar Form (Lab 10, Task 15)

Convert the right-opening parabola to polar form with focus at the origin.

Click to see the solution

Key Concept: A parabola has focus at and directrix .

  1. Identify the parameters:

    Focus is at and directrix is .

  2. Shift coordinates so focus is at origin: Let . Then becomes .

  3. For a parabola with and directrix distance :

Answer: where , Parabola

4.16. Convert to Polar Form (Lab 10, Task 16)

Convert the ellipse to polar form with focus at the origin.

Click to see the solution

  1. Write in standard form:

    Here .

  2. Calculate eccentricity:

  3. Find the right focus and directrix:

    • Right focus:
    • Directrix:
    • Distance

  4. Shift to place focus at origin using :

  5. Simplify:

Answer: where , Ellipse

4.17. Convert to Polar Form (Lab 10, Task 17)

Convert the hyperbola to polar form with focus at the origin.

Click to see the solution

  1. Write in standard form:

    Here .

  2. Calculate eccentricity:

  3. Find the right focus and directrix:

    • Right focus:
    • Directrix:
    • Distance:

  4. Polar form with focus at origin:

  5. Simplify:

Answer: where , Hyperbola

4.18. Convert to Polar Form (Lab 10, Task 18)

Convert the downward-opening parabola to polar form with focus at the origin.

Click to see the solution

  1. Identify the parameters:

    Focus is at and directrix is .

  2. Shift coordinates so focus is at origin: Use . Then becomes .

  3. For a downward-opening parabola with and :

Answer: where , Parabola

4.19. Convert to Polar Form (Lab 10, Task 19)

Convert the ellipse to polar form with focus at the origin.

Click to see the solution

  1. Write in standard form:

    Here .

  2. Calculate eccentricity:

  3. Find the right focus and directrix:

    • Right focus:
    • Directrix:
    • Distance:

  4. Polar form with focus at origin:

  5. Simplify:

Answer: where , Ellipse

4.20. Convert to Cartesian Form (Lab 10, Task 20)

Convert the polar equation back to Cartesian form and identify the conic.

Click to see the solution
  1. Multiply both sides by the denominator:
  2. Substitute and :
  3. Isolate the radical:
  4. Square both sides:
  5. Simplify:

Answer: , which is a parabola opening to the left.

4.21. Identify Conic from (Lab 10, Task 21)

Identify the eccentricity , distance to directrix , and the conic type for .

Click to see the solution
  1. Rewrite in standard form:
  2. Compare with :
  3. Solve for :

Answer: , , and since , this is a hyperbola.

4.22. Identify Conic from (Lab 10, Task 22)

Identify the eccentricity , distance to directrix , and the conic type for .

Click to see the solution
  1. Compare with :
  2. Solve for :

Answer: , , and since , this is a hyperbola.

4.23. Line Through Two Points in Polar Coordinates (Lab 10, Task 23)

Find the equation of a straight line passing through two given points and in polar coordinates.

Click to see the solution

Key Concept: Start from the Cartesian line equation and convert to polar.

  1. Cartesian line through two points:

  2. Substitute polar to Cartesian conversions:

  3. This gives:

  4. Cross-multiply and expand:

  5. After algebraic manipulation and using trigonometric identities:

    We obtain:

Answer:

Alternative form:

Or:

4.24. Line Through and (Lab 10, Task 23)

Find the equation of the line through points and , and verify it passes through .

Click to see the solution
  1. Apply the formula:
  2. Simplify the right side:
  3. Verify the point : Substitute : ✓

Answer:

4.25. Perpendicular Line Through a Point (Lab 10, Task 24)

Find the equation of a straight line perpendicular to a line through points and , passing through point .

Click to see the solution

Key Concept: Use perpendicular slope relationship and convert to polar.

  1. The slope of the given line in Cartesian coordinates:
  2. The perpendicular slope:
  3. Point-slope form through :
  4. Substitute polar coordinates and simplify:
  5. Cross-multiply and use trigonometric identities: Using , we obtain:

Answer:

4.26. Perpendicular Line Example (Lab 10, Task 24)

Find the equation of the line perpendicular to the line through and , passing through .

Click to see the solution

  1. Apply the formula:

  2. Calculate the right-hand side:

    Since :

Answer:

4.27. Convert from Cartesian to Polar (Lecture 10, Example 1)

Convert the Cartesian coordinates to polar coordinates.

Click to see the solution
  1. Calculate :
  2. Calculate :
  3. Determine the quadrant: The point is in Quadrant II, so:

Answer:

4.28. Convert from Polar to Cartesian (Lecture 10, Example 2)

Convert the polar coordinates to Cartesian coordinates.

Click to see the solution
  1. Calculate :
  2. Calculate :

Answer:

4.29. Convert from Spherical to Cartesian (Lecture 10, Example 3)

Convert the spherical coordinates to Cartesian coordinates.

Click to see the solution
  1. Calculate :
  2. Calculate :
  3. Calculate :

Answer:

4.30. Convert from Cartesian to Spherical (Lecture 10, Example 4)

Convert the Cartesian coordinates to spherical coordinates.

Click to see the solution

  1. Calculate :

  2. Calculate :

    (Since and , we’re in the first quadrant)

  3. Calculate :

Answer:

4.31. Find Foci and Directrices of (Lecture 10, Example 17-18)

Find the foci, eccentricity, and directrices for the ellipse .

Click to see the solution
  1. Identify parameters:
  2. Calculate eccentricity:
  3. Find foci:
  4. Find directrices:

Answer:

  • Eccentricity:
  • Foci:
  • Directrices:
4.32. Find Foci and Directrices of (Lecture 10, Example 20-21)

Find the foci, eccentricity, and directrices for the hyperbola .

Click to see the solution
  1. Identify parameters:
  2. Calculate eccentricity:
  3. Find foci:
  4. Find directrices:

Answer:

  • Eccentricity:
  • Foci:
  • Directrices:
4.33. Identify Conic from (Lecture 10, Example 29-30)

Analyze . Identify the type, eccentricity, and directrix.

Click to see the solution
  1. Rewrite in standard form:
  2. Compare with :
  3. Determine type: Since , this is a hyperbola.
  4. Directrix: The form indicates a horizontal directrix above the focus at .

Answer: Hyperbola with eccentricity and directrix

4.34. Find Polar Equation of Parabola with Directrix (Lecture 10, Example 5)

Find the polar equation of a parabola with focus at the origin and directrix .

Click to see the solution

Key Concept: For a parabola, . The directrix means (distance to directrix).

  1. Use the form : Since the directrix is vertical to the left of the focus, use the positive sign.
  2. Substitute values:

Answer:

4.35. Find Polar Equation of Ellipse with , Directrix (Lecture 10, Example 32-33)

Find the polar equation of an ellipse with eccentricity and directrix .

Click to see the solution
  1. Identify parameters:
  2. Use the form : The directrix is horizontal above the origin, so use positive sign with .
  3. Substitute values:
  4. Clear the fraction in denominator:

Answer:

4.36. Find Vertices of (Lecture 10, Example 6)

Find the vertices of the conic .

Click to see the solution
  1. Rewrite in standard form:
  2. Identify as hyperbola: Since , this is a hyperbola.
  3. Find vertices at and :
    • At :
    • At :
  4. Interpret the negative : The point is equivalent to (move 3 units in opposite direction).

Answer: Vertices are at and

4.37. Convert to Cartesian Form (Lecture 10, Example 7)

Convert the polar equation to Cartesian form.

Click to see the solution
  1. Simplify:
  2. Multiply both sides by the denominator:
  3. Substitute and :
  4. Isolate the radical:
  5. Square both sides:
  6. Simplify:

Answer: , which is a parabola opening to the right with vertex at .

4.38. Convert to Cartesian (Ellipse) (Lecture 10, Example 41-45)

Convert the polar equation to Cartesian form.

Click to see the solution

  1. Rewrite in standard form:

    Here (ellipse), , so .

  2. Multiply by denominator:

  3. Substitute and :

  4. Isolate the radical:

  5. Square both sides:

  6. Rearrange:

  7. Multiply by 9 and complete the square:

  8. Standard form:

Answer: Ellipse centered at with ,

4.39. Convert to Cartesian (Hyperbola) (Lecture 10, Example 46-49)

Convert the polar equation to Cartesian form.

Click to see the solution
  1. Identify parameters: (hyperbola), , so .
  2. Multiply by denominator:
  3. Substitute:
  4. Isolate and square:
  5. Rearrange:
  6. Complete the square:
  7. Standard form:

Answer: Hyperbola centered at

4.40. Convert Ellipse to Polar (Lecture 10, Example 50-52)

Convert the ellipse to polar form with right focus at the origin.

Click to see the solution
  1. Find parameters:
  2. Right focus is at : Shift coordinates: .
  3. Use the formula :
  4. Polar form:

Answer: or

4.41. Practice: Convert to Polar (Lecture 10, Task 1)

Convert the Cartesian coordinates to polar coordinates.

Click to see the solution
  1. Calculate :
  2. Calculate :
  3. Determine quadrant: Point is in Quadrant IV (positive , negative ):

Answer: or

4.42. Practice: Convert to Cartesian (Lecture 10, Task 2)

Convert the polar coordinates to Cartesian coordinates.

Click to see the solution
  1. Calculate :
  2. Calculate :

Answer:

4.43. Practice: Identify (Lecture 10, Task 3)

Identify the type of conic for .

Click to see the solution
  1. Rewrite in standard form:
  2. Identify eccentricity:

Answer: Ellipse with eccentricity

4.44. Practice: Polar Equation with , Directrix (Lecture 10, Task 4)

Find the polar equation of an ellipse with eccentricity and directrix .

Click to see the solution
  1. Parameters:
  2. Use form :
  3. Clear decimal:

Answer:

4.45. Simson Line Problem (Tutorial 10, Task 3)

Triangle is formed by points with vector angles which lie on the circle . The sides are segments of straight lines. Show that the feet of the perpendiculars from the origin to these straight lines lie on the straight line .

Click to see the solution

Key Concept: This problem demonstrates the Simson line in polar coordinates.

  1. Mark the vertices: The vertices in polar form are:

  2. Find equation of line : Using the line formula and simplification with trigonometric identities:

    Similarly:

  3. Find angular coordinates of perpendiculars: Convert to rectangular form and find slopes:

    Therefore, the perpendicular has:

    So is the angle of the perpendicular from origin to line .

  4. Find feet of perpendiculars: Substituting the angles into the corresponding line equations:

  5. Show these points are collinear: Using the line formula through points and :

    After simplification:

Answer: The feet of perpendiculars lie on the Simson line:

Note: The Simson line is a classical result in geometry: given a triangle and a point on its circumcircle, the three closest points (feet of perpendiculars) from that point to the triangle’s sides are collinear.