24-05-2005, 11:51 PM
What calculus is involved?
Rectangular is just your "usual" graph with two variables, usually X and Y.
E.g. a circle would have equation X^2+Y^2=C^2, where C is its radius (a constant). Its centre is the origin.
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On a parametric graph, X and Y are defined using another independent variable, usually T. Parametric graphs are often used to define families of curves.
E.g. a circle would be X=cos(T) Y=sin(T) and T from 0 to 2*pi. (I think).
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On a polar graph, the variables are R and theta.
E.g. a circle would be R=C, where C is a constant.
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To tell the difference is easy:
if it has two variables, x and y, then it's rectangular (cartesian).
if it has x, y, t, then parametric.
if it has r, theta, then it's polar. ^_^
Rectangular is just your "usual" graph with two variables, usually X and Y.
E.g. a circle would have equation X^2+Y^2=C^2, where C is its radius (a constant). Its centre is the origin.
----
On a parametric graph, X and Y are defined using another independent variable, usually T. Parametric graphs are often used to define families of curves.
E.g. a circle would be X=cos(T) Y=sin(T) and T from 0 to 2*pi. (I think).
----
On a polar graph, the variables are R and theta.
E.g. a circle would be R=C, where C is a constant.
----
To tell the difference is easy:
if it has two variables, x and y, then it's rectangular (cartesian).
if it has x, y, t, then parametric.
if it has r, theta, then it's polar. ^_^
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