Polar and Cartesian coordinates are two distinct systems for representing points in the plane, each with its own advantages depending on the context. Cartesian coordinates use an ordered pair (x, y) to define a point’s position relative to perpendicular horizontal and vertical axes. This system is especially useful in algebra, calculus, and geometry, where linear relationships and rectangular shapes are common. For example, equations like y = 2x 3 describe straight lines easily in Cartesian form