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Calculus 3 : Spherical Coordinates

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Example Questions

Example Question #403 : 3 Dimensional Space

$\begin{align*}&\text{A point in space is located, in Cartesian coordinates, at }(-32,52,73).\\&\text{What is the position of this point in spherical coordinates?}\end{align*}$

Possible Answers:

$(95.17,121.61^{\circ},39.91^{\circ})$

$(95.17,58.39^{\circ},39.91^{\circ})$

$(61.06,121.61^{\circ},39.91^{\circ})$

$(61.06,58.39^{\circ},140.09^{\circ})$

$(61.06,58.39^{\circ},-140.09^{\circ})$

Correct answer:

$(95.17,121.61^{\circ},39.91^{\circ})$

Explanation:

$\begin{align*}&\text{When converting Cartesian coordinates:} (x,y,z)\\&\text{to spherical coordinates: }(\rho,\theta,\phi)\text{, it is useful to}\\& \text{calculate the }\rho\text{ term first:}\\& \rho=\sqrt{x^2+y^2+z^2}\\&\text{Next, calculate angles, being prudent when calculating them}.\\&\text{The formula for }\theta\text{ is as follows:}\\& \theta=arctan(\frac{y}{x})\\&\text{Keep in mind the signs of }x\text{ and }y\text{, and}\\& \text{which quadrant the point lies in.}\\& \text{Negative }y\text{ values lead to a negative }\theta\text{; negative }x\\&\text{values lead to }|\theta|>90^{\circ}\\&\text{To calculate }\phi\text{, we can use our }\rho\text{ value:}\\&\phi=arccos(\frac{z}{\rho})\text{ where }0\leq\phi\leq180^{\circ}\\&\text{For our coordinates: }(-32,52,73)\\&\rho=\sqrt{(-32)^2+(52)^2+(73)^2}=95.17\\&\theta=arctan(\frac{52}{-32})=121.61^{\circ}\\&\phi=arccos(\frac{73}{95.17})=39.91^{\circ}\end{align*}$

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Example Question #61 : Spherical Coordinates

$\begin{align*}&\text{A point in space is located, in Cartesian coordinates, at }(6,-46,-105).\\&\text{What is the position of this point in spherical coordinates?}\end{align*}$

Possible Answers:

$(114.79,-82.57^{\circ},156.16^{\circ})$

$(46.39,97.43^{\circ},-23.84^{\circ})$

$(46.39,97.43^{\circ},23.84^{\circ})$

$(46.39,-82.57^{\circ},156.16^{\circ})$

$(114.79,97.43^{\circ},156.16^{\circ})$

Correct answer:

$(114.79,-82.57^{\circ},156.16^{\circ})$

Explanation:

$\begin{align*}&\text{When converting Cartesian coordinates:} (x,y,z)\\&\text{to spherical coordinates: }(\rho,\theta,\phi)\text{, it is useful to}\\& \text{calculate the }\rho\text{ term first:}\\& \rho=\sqrt{x^2+y^2+z^2}\\&\text{Next, calculate angles, being prudent when calculating them}.\\&\text{The formula for }\theta\text{ is as follows:}\\& \theta=arctan(\frac{y}{x})\\&\text{Keep in mind the signs of }x\text{ and }y\text{, and}\\& \text{which quadrant the point lies in.}\\& \text{Negative }y\text{ values lead to a negative }\theta\text{; negative }x\\&\text{values lead to }|\theta|>90^{\circ}\\&\text{To calculate }\phi\text{, we can use our }\rho\text{ value:}\\&\phi=arccos(\frac{z}{\rho})\text{ where }0\leq\phi\leq180^{\circ}\\&\text{For our coordinates: }(6,-46,-105)\\&\rho=\sqrt{(6)^2+(-46)^2+(-105)^2}=114.79\\&\theta=arctan(\frac{-46}{6})=-82.57^{\circ}\\&\phi=arccos(\frac{-105}{114.79})=156.16^{\circ}\end{align*}$

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Example Question #61 : Spherical Coordinates

$\begin{align*}&\text{A point in space is located, in Cartesian coordinates, at }(26,-72,-137).\\&\text{What is the position of this point in spherical coordinates?}\end{align*}$

Possible Answers:

$(156.94,109.86^{\circ},150.81^{\circ})$

$(76.55,-70.14^{\circ},150.81^{\circ})$

$(76.55,109.86^{\circ},29.19^{\circ})$

$(156.94,-70.14^{\circ},150.81^{\circ})$

Correct answer:

$(156.94,-70.14^{\circ},150.81^{\circ})$

Explanation:

$\begin{align*}&\text{When converting Cartesian coordinates:} (x,y,z)\\&\text{to spherical coordinates: }(\rho,\theta,\phi)\text{, it is useful to}\\& \text{calculate the }\rho\text{ term first:}\\& \rho=\sqrt{x^2+y^2+z^2}\\&\text{Next, calculate angles, being prudent when calculating them}.\\&\text{The formula for }\theta\text{ is as follows:}\\& \theta=arctan(\frac{y}{x})\\&\text{Keep in mind the signs of }x\text{ and }y\text{, and}\\& \text{which quadrant the point lies in.}\\& \text{Negative }y\text{ values lead to a negative }\theta\text{; negative }x\\&\text{values lead to }|\theta|>90^{\circ}\\&\text{To calculate }\phi\text{, we can use our }\rho\text{ value:}\\&\phi=arccos(\frac{z}{\rho})\text{ where }0\leq\phi\leq180^{\circ}\\&\text{For our coordinates: }(26,-72,-137)\\&\rho=\sqrt{(26)^2+(-72)^2+(-137)^2}=156.94\\&\theta=arctan(\frac{-72}{26})=-70.14^{\circ}\\&\phi=arccos(\frac{-137}{156.94})=150.81^{\circ}\end{align*}$

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Example Question #62 : Spherical Coordinates

$\begin{align*}&\text{A point in space is located, in Cartesian coordinates, at }(77,-77,-17).\\&\text{What is the position of this point in spherical coordinates?}\end{align*}$

Possible Answers:

$(110.21,135^{\circ},98.87^{\circ})$

$(110.21,-45^{\circ},98.87^{\circ})$

$(108.89,-45^{\circ},98.87^{\circ})$

$(108.89,135^{\circ},81.13^{\circ})$

Correct answer:

$(110.21,-45^{\circ},98.87^{\circ})$

Explanation:

$\begin{align*}&\text{When converting Cartesian coordinates:} (x,y,z)\\&\text{to spherical coordinates: }(\rho,\theta,\phi)\text{, it is useful to}\\& \text{calculate the }\rho\text{ term first:}\\& \rho=\sqrt{x^2+y^2+z^2}\\&\text{Next, calculate angles, being prudent when calculating them}.\\&\text{The formula for }\theta\text{ is as follows:}\\& \theta=arctan(\frac{y}{x})\\&\text{Keep in mind the signs of }x\text{ and }y\text{, and}\\& \text{which quadrant the point lies in.}\\& \text{Negative }y\text{ values lead to a negative }\theta\text{; negative }x\\&\text{values lead to }|\theta|>90^{\circ}\\&\text{To calculate }\phi\text{, we can use our }\rho\text{ value:}\\&\phi=arccos(\frac{z}{\rho})\text{ where }0\leq\phi\leq180^{\circ}\\&\text{For our coordinates: }(77,-77,-17)\\&\rho=\sqrt{(77)^2+(-77)^2+(-17)^2}=110.21\\&\theta=arctan(\frac{-77}{77})=-45^{\circ}\\&\phi=arccos(\frac{-17}{110.21})=98.87^{\circ}\end{align*}$

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Example Question #406 : 3 Dimensional Space

$\begin{align*}&\text{A point in space is located, in Cartesian coordinates, at }(57,-42,71).\\&\text{What is the position of this point in spherical coordinates?}\end{align*}$

Possible Answers:

$(70.8,143.62^{\circ},135.08^{\circ})$

$(100.27,143.62^{\circ},44.92^{\circ})$

$(100.27,-36.38^{\circ},44.92^{\circ})$

$(70.8,-36.38^{\circ},44.92^{\circ})$

Correct answer:

$(100.27,-36.38^{\circ},44.92^{\circ})$

Explanation:

$\begin{align*}&\text{When converting Cartesian coordinates:} (x,y,z)\\&\text{to spherical coordinates: }(\rho,\theta,\phi)\text{, it is useful to}\\& \text{calculate the }\rho\text{ term first:}\\& \rho=\sqrt{x^2+y^2+z^2}\\&\text{Next, calculate angles, being prudent when calculating them}.\\&\text{The formula for }\theta\text{ is as follows:}\\& \theta=arctan(\frac{y}{x})\\&\text{Keep in mind the signs of }x\text{ and }y\text{, and}\\& \text{which quadrant the point lies in.}\\& \text{Negative }y\text{ values lead to a negative }\theta\text{; negative }x\\&\text{values lead to }|\theta|>90^{\circ}\\&\text{To calculate }\phi\text{, we can use our }\rho\text{ value:}\\&\phi=arccos(\frac{z}{\rho})\text{ where }0\leq\phi\leq180^{\circ}\\&\text{For our coordinates: }(57,-42,71)\\&\rho=\sqrt{(57)^2+(-42)^2+(71)^2}=100.27\\&\theta=arctan(\frac{-42}{57})=-36.38^{\circ}\\&\phi=arccos(\frac{71}{100.27})=44.92^{\circ}\end{align*}$

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Example Question #407 : 3 Dimensional Space

$\begin{align*}&\text{A point in space is located, in Cartesian coordinates, at }(-32,55,61).\\&\text{What is the position of this point in spherical coordinates?}\end{align*}$

Possible Answers:

$(88.15,120.19^{\circ},46.21^{\circ})$

$(88.15,59.81^{\circ},46.21^{\circ})$

$(63.63,120.19^{\circ},46.21^{\circ})$

$(63.63,59.81^{\circ},133.79^{\circ})$

Correct answer:

$(88.15,120.19^{\circ},46.21^{\circ})$

Explanation:

$\begin{align*}&\text{When converting Cartesian coordinates:} (x,y,z)\\&\text{to spherical coordinates: }(\rho,\theta,\phi)\text{, it is useful to}\\& \text{calculate the }\rho\text{ term first:}\\& \rho=\sqrt{x^2+y^2+z^2}\\&\text{Next, calculate angles, being prudent when calculating them}.\\&\text{The formula for }\theta\text{ is as follows:}\\& \theta=arctan(\frac{y}{x})\\&\text{Keep in mind the signs of }x\text{ and }y\text{, and}\\& \text{which quadrant the point lies in.}\\& \text{Negative }y\text{ values lead to a negative }\theta\text{; negative }x\\&\text{values lead to }|\theta|>90^{\circ}\\&\text{To calculate }\phi\text{, we can use our }\rho\text{ value:}\\&\phi=arccos(\frac{z}{\rho})\text{ where }0\leq\phi\leq180^{\circ}\\&\text{For our coordinates: }(-32,55,61)\\&\rho=\sqrt{(-32)^2+(55)^2+(61)^2}=88.15\\&\theta=arctan(\frac{55}{-32})=120.19^{\circ}\\&\phi=arccos(\frac{61}{88.15})=46.21^{\circ}\end{align*}$

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Example Question #61 : Spherical Coordinates

$\begin{align*}&\text{A point in space is located, in Cartesian coordinates, at }(-17,-145,-51).\\&\text{What is the position of this point in spherical coordinates?}\end{align*}$

Possible Answers:

$(154.64,83.31^{\circ},109.26^{\circ})$

$(145.99,83.31^{\circ},70.74^{\circ})$

$(145.99,-96.69^{\circ},109.26^{\circ})$

$(154.64,-96.69^{\circ},109.26^{\circ})$

Correct answer:

$(154.64,-96.69^{\circ},109.26^{\circ})$

Explanation:

$\begin{align*}&\text{When converting Cartesian coordinates:} (x,y,z)\\&\text{to spherical coordinates: }(\rho,\theta,\phi)\text{, it is useful to}\\& \text{calculate the }\rho\text{ term first:}\\& \rho=\sqrt{x^2+y^2+z^2}\\&\text{Next, calculate angles, being prudent when calculating them}.\\&\text{The formula for }\theta\text{ is as follows:}\\& \theta=arctan(\frac{y}{x})\\&\text{Keep in mind the signs of }x\text{ and }y\text{, and}\\& \text{which quadrant the point lies in.}\\& \text{Negative }y\text{ values lead to a negative }\theta\text{; negative }x\\&\text{values lead to }|\theta|>90^{\circ}\\&\text{To calculate }\phi\text{, we can use our }\rho\text{ value:}\\&\phi=arccos(\frac{z}{\rho})\text{ where }0\leq\phi\leq180^{\circ}\\&\text{For our coordinates: }(-17,-145,-51)\\&\rho=\sqrt{(-17)^2+(-145)^2+(-51)^2}=154.64\\&\theta=arctan(\frac{-145}{-17})=-96.69^{\circ}\\&\phi=arccos(\frac{-51}{154.64})=109.26^{\circ}\end{align*}$

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Example Question #411 : 3 Dimensional Space

$\begin{align*}&\text{A point in space is located, in Cartesian coordinates, at }(-23,-69,-91).\\&\text{What is the position of this point in spherical coordinates?}\end{align*}$

Possible Answers:

$(116.49,-108.43^{\circ},141.37^{\circ})$

$(116.49,71.57^{\circ},141.37^{\circ})$

$(72.73,-108.43^{\circ},141.37^{\circ})$

$(72.73,71.57^{\circ},38.63^{\circ})$

Correct answer:

$(116.49,-108.43^{\circ},141.37^{\circ})$

Explanation:

$\begin{align*}&\text{When converting Cartesian coordinates:} (x,y,z)\\&\text{to spherical coordinates: }(\rho,\theta,\phi)\text{, it is useful to}\\& \text{calculate the }\rho\text{ term first:}\\& \rho=\sqrt{x^2+y^2+z^2}\\&\text{Next, calculate angles, being prudent when calculating them}.\\&\text{The formula for }\theta\text{ is as follows:}\\& \theta=arctan(\frac{y}{x})\\&\text{Keep in mind the signs of }x\text{ and }y\text{, and}\\& \text{which quadrant the point lies in.}\\& \text{Negative }y\text{ values lead to a negative }\theta\text{; negative }x\\&\text{values lead to }|\theta|>90^{\circ}\\&\text{To calculate }\phi\text{, we can use our }\rho\text{ value:}\\&\phi=arccos(\frac{z}{\rho})\text{ where }0\leq\phi\leq180^{\circ}\\&\text{For our coordinates: }(-23,-69,-91)\\&\rho=\sqrt{(-23)^2+(-69)^2+(-91)^2}=116.49\\&\theta=arctan(\frac{-69}{-23})=-108.43^{\circ}\\&\phi=arccos(\frac{-91}{116.49})=141.37^{\circ}\end{align*}$

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Example Question #412 : 3 Dimensional Space

$\begin{align*}&\text{A point in space is located, in Cartesian coordinates, at }(97,-21,117).\\&\text{What is the position of this point in spherical coordinates?}\end{align*}$

Possible Answers:

$(99.25,-12.22^{\circ},40.31^{\circ})$

$(99.25,167.78^{\circ},139.69^{\circ})$

$(153.42,167.78^{\circ},40.31^{\circ})$

$(153.42,-12.22^{\circ},40.31^{\circ})$

Correct answer:

$(153.42,-12.22^{\circ},40.31^{\circ})$

Explanation:

$\begin{align*}&\text{When converting Cartesian coordinates:} (x,y,z)\\&\text{to spherical coordinates: }(\rho,\theta,\phi)\text{, it is useful to}\\& \text{calculate the }\rho\text{ term first:}\\& \rho=\sqrt{x^2+y^2+z^2}\\&\text{Next, calculate angles, being prudent when calculating them}.\\&\text{The formula for }\theta\text{ is as follows:}\\& \theta=arctan(\frac{y}{x})\\&\text{Keep in mind the signs of }x\text{ and }y\text{, and}\\& \text{which quadrant the point lies in.}\\& \text{Negative }y\text{ values lead to a negative }\theta\text{; negative }x\\&\text{values lead to }|\theta|>90^{\circ}\\&\text{To calculate }\phi\text{, we can use our }\rho\text{ value:}\\&\phi=arccos(\frac{z}{\rho})\text{ where }0\leq\phi\leq180^{\circ}\\&\text{For our coordinates: }(97,-21,117)\\&\rho=\sqrt{(97)^2+(-21)^2+(117)^2}=153.42\\&\theta=arctan(\frac{-21}{97})=-12.22^{\circ}\\&\phi=arccos(\frac{117}{153.42})=40.31^{\circ}\end{align*}$

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Example Question #413 : 3 Dimensional Space

$\begin{align*}&\text{A point in space is located, in Cartesian coordinates, at }(-33,81,-31).\\&\text{What is the position of this point in spherical coordinates?}\end{align*}$

Possible Answers:

$(92.8,112.17^{\circ},109.52^{\circ})$

$(87.46,67.83^{\circ},70.48^{\circ})$

$(92.8,67.83^{\circ},109.52^{\circ})$

$(87.46,112.17^{\circ},109.52^{\circ})$

Correct answer:

$(92.8,112.17^{\circ},109.52^{\circ})$

Explanation:

$\begin{align*}&\text{When converting Cartesian coordinates:} (x,y,z)\\&\text{to spherical coordinates: }(\rho,\theta,\phi)\text{, it is useful to}\\& \text{calculate the }\rho\text{ term first:}\\& \rho=\sqrt{x^2+y^2+z^2}\\&\text{Next, calculate angles, being prudent when calculating them}.\\&\text{The formula for }\theta\text{ is as follows:}\\& \theta=arctan(\frac{y}{x})\\&\text{Keep in mind the signs of }x\text{ and }y\text{, and}\\& \text{which quadrant the point lies in.}\\& \text{Negative }y\text{ values lead to a negative }\theta\text{; negative }x\\&\text{values lead to }|\theta|>90^{\circ}\\&\text{To calculate }\phi\text{, we can use our }\rho\text{ value:}\\&\phi=arccos(\frac{z}{\rho})\text{ where }0\leq\phi\leq180^{\circ}\\&\text{For our coordinates: }(-33,81,-31)\\&\rho=\sqrt{(-33)^2+(81)^2+(-31)^2}=92.8\\&\theta=arctan(\frac{81}{-33})=112.17^{\circ}\\&\phi=arccos(\frac{-31}{92.8})=109.52^{\circ}\end{align*}$

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Calculus 3 : Spherical Coordinates

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Calculus 3

All Calculus 3 Resources

Example Questions

Example Question #403 : 3 Dimensional Space

Example Question #61 : Spherical Coordinates

Example Question #61 : Spherical Coordinates

Example Question #62 : Spherical Coordinates

Example Question #406 : 3 Dimensional Space

Example Question #407 : 3 Dimensional Space

Example Question #61 : Spherical Coordinates

Example Question #411 : 3 Dimensional Space

Example Question #412 : 3 Dimensional Space

Example Question #413 : 3 Dimensional Space

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