2. A Cartesian coordinate system
is a coordinate system that
specifies each point uniquely in a
plane by a pair of numerical
coordinates, which are the
signed distances from the point
to two fixed perpendicular
directed lines, measured in the
same unit of length.
Rectangular Coordinate System
3. Each reference line is called a
coordinate axis or just axis of the
system, and the point where they
meet is its origin, usually at ordered
pair (0, 0). The coordinates can
also be defined as the positions of
the perpendicular projections of the
point onto the two axes, expressed
as signed distances from the origin.
4. Different Parts of a Rectangular
Coordinate System
1. The central point (0,0) is called the
origin.
2. The horizontal line is called the x-
axis, and traditionally denotes the
independent variable.
3. The vertical line is called the y-
axis, and traditionally denotes the
dependent variable.
5. ~Each quarter of the
graph, as defined by the
intersection of the axis, is
called a quadrant, and are
labeled I through IV, going
clockwise from the top
right.
8. How are points plotted on
the Cartesian Plane
The position of a point on a
Cartesian plane is represented by
referring to it in terms of a
horizontal line and a vertical line,
which are called the x-axis and y-
axis respectively. The point of
intersection of the x-axis and the y-
axis is called the origin.
