This kind of graph is used for representing the position of points, lines, and plane figures

Points plotted on a coordinate plane.

Lines plotted on a coordinate plane.

Plane figures plotted on a coordinate plane.

 

The main part of the rectangular coordinate plane are the x axis, the y axis, and the origin. The x axis: Is horizontal, running straight left and right. Is a number line that increases from left to right. The y axis Is vertical, or perpendicular to the x axis. Is a number line that increases from bottom to top. The origin Is the point where the x and y axes meet. Is the zero point on both of the axes.

Determining the Coordinates of a Point Located on the Coordinate Plane

Points on a plane are specified in terms of two numbers:  the x-axis position and the y-axis position. These two numbers are shown as ordered pair — a pair of numbers that are always written in a specific order:  x position, followed by the y position.  Here is an example:

Notice the location of the point on this coordinate plane. If you follow along the x axis, you can see that the point is located at 4. And if you follow along the y axis, the point is located at 2. So for this particular point, x = 4 and y = 2. Or to write it as an ordered pair, we say this point is located at (4,2) on the coordinate plane.

More Examples

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Examples & Exercises

Work on these endless examples and exercises until you can determine the coordinates of points on a plane ... without error.

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