To change from either polar form to rectangular form, or from rectangular to polar form, always begin by drawing the graph below, and out beside it write out the four equations, the three basic trig ratios and the Pythagorean theorem equation:To change Solve (2) for x by clearing of fractions by multiplying both sides by r: So replace by Solve (1) for y by clearing of fractions by multiplying both sides by r: So replace by Solve for r by first factoring out r on the left: ----------------------------------- Always substitute for the trig functions first, and for r last: Substitute for Clear of fractions by multiplying both sides by r: Now use (4) to replace by --------------------- Clear of fractions by multiplying both sides by Again, always substitute for the trig functions first, and for r last: Use (2) to substitute for Distribute to remove the parentheses on the left side: Solve (4) for : and replace r by that: Isolate the square root term on the left by adding x to both sides: Square both sides Simplify by subtracting from both sides: Edwin ----------------------------------------------------------- [BTW, this symbol is not "data", it's the Greek letter "theta". It stands for the angle in the graph above.]