Maintenance script: Initial automated import

2016-02-24T18:34:04Z

Initial automated import

New page

{{Template:TI-BASIC:Command
|picture=POLARGC.GIF
|summary=Sets the calculator to display point coordinates using polar coordinates.
|syntax=PolarGC
|location=Press:
# 2nd FORMAT to access the graph format screen
# Use arrows and ENTER to select PolarGC.
|compatibility=TI-83/84/+/SE
|size=2 bytes
}}

The PolarGC ("Polar Grid Coordinates") command (like its opposite, the [[TI-BASIC:Rectgc|RectGC]]) command, affects how the coordinates of a point on the graph screen are displayed. When PolarGC is enabled, the coordinates of a point are displayed as (R,θ).

The polar coordinates of a point can be interpreted as the distance R it is away from the origin (0,0), and the direction θ. θ is the angle that a ray to the point would make with the positive X-axis (so polar coordinates are affected by [[TI-BASIC:Degree_Mode|Degree]]/[[TI-BASIC:Radian_Mode|Radian]] mode). An angle of 0 means the point is to the left of the origin; an angle of 90° (π/2 radians) means it's up from the origin, and so on. So, for example, the point with R=2 and θ=270° (3π/2 radians) would be two units down from the origin.

Of course, coordinates are only displayed with the [[TI-BASIC:Coordon|CoordOn]] setting; however, with [[TI-BASIC:Coordoff|CoordOff]], RectGC and PolarGC are still useful, because in a variety of cases, the coordinates of a point are also stored to variables. PolarGC doesn't change the fact that they're stored to X and Y, as with RectGC; however, with PolarGC, they are also stored to R and θ.

Although the PolarGC command naturally goes with [[TI-BASIC:Polar_Mode|Polar]] graphing mode, the two settings are independent; you can use both PolarGC and RectGC with any graphing mode.

= Advanced =

The following situations involve storing coordinates of a point to variables:
* Graphing an equation
* Tracing an equation or plot
* Moving the cursor on the graph screen
* Using the interactive mode of one of the 2nd DRAW commands
* Using one of [[TI-BASIC:Drawf|DrawF]], [[TI-BASIC:Drawinv|DrawInv]], or [[TI-BASIC:Tangent|Tangent(]]
* Anything in the 2nd CALC menu.

Naturally, any command like [[TI-BASIC:Input|Input]] or [[TI-BASIC:Select|Select(]] which involves the above, will also store coordinates of a point.

= Related Commands =

* [[TI-BASIC:Polargc|PolarGC]]
* [[TI-BASIC:Coordon|CoordOn]]
* [[TI-BASIC:Coordoff|CoordOff]][[Category:TI-BASIC]]
[[Category:TIBD]]

TI-BASIC:Polargc - Revision history

Maintenance script: Initial automated import