A coordinate airplane is a two-dimensional airplane formed by the intersection the the x-axis and the y-axis. It have the right to be provided to situate points ~ above a plane. The figure below shows a coordinate airplane that specifies 5 points: A, B, C, D, and E.
You are watching: A pair of numbers used to locate a point

The coordiate airplane can additionally be referred to as the Cartesian coordinate plane, as it is provided as component of the Cartesian coordinate system.
Properties of a coordinate plane
Several nature characterize a coordinate plane.
x-axis and y-axis
A coordinate airplane is created by the intersection the a horizontal number line dubbed the x-axis and also a upright number line dubbed the y-axis. The 2 axes (plural because that axis) intersect vertically in ~ a allude called the beginning of the coordinate plane.

A grid is often attracted on a coordinate plane to do it easier to locate a point. A network is a collection of uniformly spaced horizontal and vertical lines. The net on the name: coordinates plane above is shown with irradiate gray line segments.
Quadrants and also ordered pairs
The ar of a suggest is provided as an notified pair the numbers, (x1, y1). The first number in the pair is described as the x-coordinate. It to represent the position of the suggest on the x-axis. Similarly, the second number represents the position of the point on the y-axis and also is appropriately named the y-coordinate.

The axes likewise divide the coordinate airplane into 4 regions called quadrants as shown in the coordinate aircraft above.
Locating a point in the name: coordinates plane
Start from the origin when locating a point in the coordinate plane. Counting in one of two people the optimistic (right) or an unfavorable (left) direction follow me the x-axis to recognize a point"s horizontal position. Counting in either the hopeful (up) or negative (down) direction follow me the y-axis to recognize a point"s upright position, as displayed in the figure below.

Two points, one in quadrant I and one in quadrant III are presented in the number above.
Example:
Write the bespeak pairs because that points A, B, and C presented on the coordinate airplane below.

Starting native the origin:
For suggest A, move to the left 2 units to gain an x-coordinate the -2. Since there is no vertical street to move, the y-coordinate is 0. The ordered pair for point A is (-2, 0).
For point B, move to the appropriate 4 devices to gain an x-coordinate of 4, then relocate down 3 systems to gain a y-coordinate that -3. The ordered pair for point B is (4, -3).
For point C, relocate to the best 3 units to gain an x-coordinate that 3, then move up 5 units to acquire a y-coordinate of 5. The notified pair for point C for (3, 5).
Graphing a solution set in the name: coordinates plane
The graph of one equation created in regards to x and y in the coordinate plane is the set of point out (x, y) that represents the solution set of the equation.
For example, three options (there are infinitely many) because that y = 2x-1 are presented below.
-2 | y = 2(-2) - 1 = -5 | (-2, -5) |
0 | y = 2(0) - 1 = -1 | (0, -1) |
2 | y = 2(2) - 1 = 3 | (2, 3) |
The graph that the solution collection is presented in the coordinate airplane below.

The graph has the 3 points established above. Any suggest on the graph that the heat is component of the solution collection for y = 2x - 1. Together an example, (3, 5) is another allude on the line, and also plugging that in yields:
5 = 2(3) - 1
5 = 5 is a true statement, therefore (3, 5) is a equipment for y = 2x - 1.
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Did girlfriend know?
There are many other name: coordinates systems supplied today. Among these is the global Positioning device (GPS), a system that allows you to uncover your location everywhere on planet at any type of time, regardless of the weather.