Cartesian and polar coordinates are two ways to show points on a flat surface.

Key Differences:

1. How They Work:

   • Cartesian: Points use $(x, y)$ coordinates.
   • Polar: Points use $(r, \theta)$. Here, $r$ is the distance from the center point (called the origin), and $\theta$ is the angle from the right side (the positive x-axis).

2. How They Look:

   • In Cartesian coordinates, the grid is organized, which makes it easy to see straight lines.
   • In polar coordinates, round shapes are easier to understand, especially for things like circles, spirals, and flower shapes called roses.

Example:
A circle with a radius of 1 that is centered at the origin can be written in two ways:

• In Cartesian: $x^2 + y^2 = 1$
• In Polar: $r = 1$

Each system has its own strengths, depending on what you need to solve!