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Spherical Coordinates  

The authors point out the problem with using angles phi and theta in spherical coordinates in the opposite way that they are used in other sciences, especially physics and engineering. They explain why this poses a larger problem for students than is generally acknowledged. Then they propose to switch the use of these angles, which could relatively easily be accomplished by adjusting current calculus textbooks.

Resource URL: http://www.math.oregonstate.edu/bridge/papers/CMJspherical.pdf

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Subject classification(s): Curvilinear Coordinates | Advanced Calculus | Calculus

Creator(s): Tevian Dray and Corinne A. Manogue

This resource was cataloged by Tevian Dray

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