This site provides users with an online calculator to convert from polar coordinates to rectangular (cartesian) coordinates and vice versa, with steps shown.
Type of Material:
Simulation
Recommended Uses:
In class, homework,individual or group work. Also, lecture notes, assignments, and Handouts.
Technical Requirements:
Any browser
Identify Major Learning Goals:
Convert from polar coordinates to rectangular coordinates and back.
Target Student Population:
Pre-calculus or the portion of calculus that covers polar coordinates.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
Basic knowledge of coordinate systems, in particular, polar and rectagular coordinates.
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
This site provides users with an online calculator to convert from polar coordinates to rectangular coordinates and vice versa. Users only need to put values in the text boxes and click calculate. This site offers a great help for students who want to check the answers of their course assignments and projects when they do practice questions about polar and rectangular coordinates at the end of the course. This site can be included as a part of lecture or as an extra online tutorial for students. It also will show the essential steps in converting from one coordinate system to another. The student can click on the "show instructions" link and detailed insructions on how to correctly enter in math symbols, for example sqrt(2)/2.
Concerns:
There are many advertisements that clutter the screen and can be a major distraction.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
Both instructor and student can use this site in any class that introduces or uses polar and rectangular coordinates. Students can ask the owner of the site their questions on one of the topics in the site. There is a (lecture notes) section, but it is under construction at this time. There are solved questions and math problems from various topics in Calculus, Differential Equations, and Linear Algebra.
Concerns:
It would be helpful to have a link to a webpage on polar coordinates for students who need to learn the concepts of polar coordinates.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
Students and instructors can access this calculator in this site easily. The detailed steps that are shown will allow the student to not only convert from one coordinate system to another, but will also ensure that the student will learn the process of conversion.
Creative Commons:
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