polar coordinates

plural noun

1. a pair of coordinates for locating a point in a plane by means of the length of a radius vector, r, which pivots about the origin to establish the angle, θ, that the position of the point makes with a fixed line. Usually written ( r , θ) See also Cartesian coordinates spherical coordinates

Example Sentences

Instead of using stodgy Cartesian coordinates, Black Rock City is organized along polar coordinates, making its coordinate system unique among massive fire-themed desert art festivals.

From Scientific American

Right, firing rate as a function of head direction during random foraging, plotted in polar coordinates.

From Nature

Critical mathematical applications such as Fourier transforms, Riemann zeta functions, Gaussian distributions, roots of unity, integrating over polar coordinates and pretty much anything involving trigonometry employs pi.

From Scientific American

The complex number 1+i, written in rectangular and polar coordinates.

From Scientific American

In the geometry of motion under central forces the advantage of working with polar coordinates is great.

From Project Gutenberg