A device or software application designed to convert coordinates between the polar and rectangular coordinate systems. Polar coordinates define a point using a distance (radius) from the origin and an angle from a reference axis, while rectangular coordinates define a point using its horizontal (x) and vertical (y) distances from the origin. For instance, a point defined as (5, 30) in polar coordinates can be converted to its rectangular equivalent.
The ability to transition between these coordinate systems is essential in various fields, including physics, engineering, mathematics, and computer graphics. Such conversion simplifies calculations and visualizations, facilitating the analysis of complex phenomena. Historically, these conversions were performed manually using trigonometric functions and tables; current tools automate this process, providing increased speed and accuracy.