Year 8 Interactive Maths - Second Edition

The Cartesian Plane

The Cartesian plane consists of two directed lines that

perpendicularly intersect their respective zero points.

The horizontal directed line is called the x-axis and the vertical
directed line is called the y-axis.  The point of intersection of the x-
axis and the y-axis is called the origin and is denoted by the letter
O.

The Coordinates

The position of any point on the Cartesian plane is described by

using two numbers:  (x, y).  The first number, x, is the horizontal
position of the point from the origin.  It is called the x-coordinate.
The second number, y, is the vertical position of the point from the
origin.  It is called the y-coordinate.  Since a specific order is used
to represent the coordinates, they are called ordered pairs.

For example, the ordered pair (5, 8) represents a point 5 units to

the right of the origin in the direction of the x-axis and 8 units
above the origin in the direction of the y-axis as shown in the
diagram below.

We say that:

The x-coordinate of point P is 5; and the y-coordinate of point P is

8.

Or simply, we can say that:

The coordinates of point P are (5, 8).

Note the following:

 For the point P(5, 8), the ordered pair is (5, 8).  So:
5 is the x-coordinate, and
8 is the y-coordinate.
P(5, 8) means P is 5 units to the right of and 8 units above the
origin.

Example 1

State the coordinates of each of the points shown on the Cartesian

plane:

Solution:

A is 3 units to the right of and 2 units above the origin.  So, point A
is (3, 2).
B is 5 units to the right of and 5 units above the origin.  So, point B
is (5, 5).
C is 7 units to the right of and 8 units above the origin.  So, point C
is (7, 8).
D is 6 units to the left of and 4 units above the origin.  So, point D
is (–6, 4).
E is 3 units to the left of and 7 units above the origin.  So, point E is
(–3, 7).
F is 4 units to the left of and 6 units below the origin.  So, point F is
(–4, –6).
G is 8 units to the left of and 8 units below the origin.  So, point G
is (–8, –8).
P is 9 units to the right of and 9 units below the origin.  So, point P
is (9, –9).
Q is 6 units to the right of and 5 units below the origin.  So, point Q
is (6, –5).

Key Terms

Cartesian plane, x-axis, y-axis, origin, coordinates, point, x-coordinate, y-coordinate, ordered pair

| Home Page | Order Maths Software | About the Series | Maths

Software Tutorials |
| Year 7 Maths Software | Year 8 Maths Software | Year 9 Maths
Software | Year 10 Maths Software |
| Homework Software | Laptop Schools | Tutor Software | Maths
Software Platform | Trial Maths Software |
| Feedback | About mathsteacher.com.au | Terms and Conditions | Our
Policies | Links | Contact |
Copyright © 2000-2017 mathsteacher.com Pty Ltd.  All rights reserved.
Australian Business Number 53 056 217 611

Copyright instructions for educational institutions

Please read the Terms and Conditions of Use of this Website and our Privacy and Other
Policies.
If you experience difficulties when using this Website, tell us through the feedback form or
by phoning the contact telephone number.