The Coordinate Plane

By Luis Bello

Learning Outcomes

• Plot Ordered Pairs

  • Identify the components of the coordinate plane

  • Plot ordered pairs on the coordinate plane

• Identify Quadrants on the Coordinate Plane

  • Identify the four quadrants of a coordinate plane

  • Given an ordered pair, determine its quadrant

Some text here about the topic of discussion

The coordinate plane

The coordinate plane was developed centuries ago (in 1637, to be exact) and refined by the French mathematician René Descartes. In his honor, the system is sometimes called the Cartesian coordinate system. The coordinate plane can be used to plot points and graph lines. This system allows us to describe algebraic relationships in a visual sense, and also helps us create and interpret algebraic concepts.

The Components of the Coordinate Plane

The Components of the Coordinate Plane: The horizontal axis in the coordinate plane is called the x-axis. The vertical axis is called the y-axis. The point at which the two axes intersect is called the origin. The origin is at 0 on the x-axis and 0 on the y-axis.

To identify the location of this point, start at the origin (0, 0) and move right along the x-axis until you are under the point.

Look at the label on the x-axis.

The 4 indicates that, from the origin, you have traveled four units to the right along the x-axis.

This is the x-coordinate, the first number in the ordered pair.

From 4 on the x-axis move up to the point and notice the number with which it aligns on the y-axis. The 3 indicates that, after leaving the x-axis, you traveled 3 units up in the vertical direction, the direction of the y-axis.

This number is the y-coordinate, the second number in the ordered pair. With an x-coordinate of 4 and a y-coordinate of 3, you have the ordered pair (4, 3).

Plot the point (1, 3).

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Plot the point (−4,−2).​

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In which quadrant is the point (−7,10) located?​

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In which quadrant is the point (−10,−5) located?​

Graphing Linear Equations

Learning Outcomes

• Graph an Equation Using Ordered Pairs

  • Create a table of ordered pairs from a two-variable linear equation

  • Graph a two-variable linear equation using a table of ordered pairs

  • Determine whether an ordered pair is a solution of an equation

• Graph Linear Equations in Different Forms

  • Solve for

  • Graph horizontal and vertical lines

• Graph an Equation Using Intercepts

  • Recognize when an ordered pair is a

  • Graph a linear equation using X and Y intercepts.