Coordinate Definitions

Definitions

Coordinate Systems are a formation of planes or curves that are used to describe the position of an object in space.

The Origin is a central point where axes in any coordinate system all meet together.

Cartesian Coordinates consists of a plane in two or three dimensions with two or three perpendicular axes that cross at a central point known as the origin. Each point on this coordinate system is determined by the distance that point is away from each of the axes planes from the origin.

Polar Coordinates consists of a plane in two dimensions with two axes that cross a central point known as the origin. Each point on this coordinate system is determined by the distance that point is from the origin as a radial distance, and the angle of the point with respect to the point of origin.

Spherical Coordinates consists of a plane in three dimensions with three axes that cross a central point known as the origin. Each point on this coordinate system is determined by the distance that point is from the origin as a radial distance, and the two angles of the point with respect to the point of origin.

Cylindrical Coordinates is a natrual extension of Polar Coordinates in three dimensions. It consists of a plane in three dimensions with three axes that cross a central point known as the origin. Each point on this coordinate system is determined by the distance that point is from the origin as a radial distance, the angle of the point with respect to the origin, and the height of the point also with respect to the origin.

Go Back to Coordinate Page