Coordinate Plane

The coordinate plane is a two-dimension plane that is formed when the x-axis (running horizontally - left/right) intersects with the y-axis (running vertically - up/down).

Origin

The x-axis and y-axis intersect at a point called the ORIGIN. Each point on the coordinate plane can be represented by an ordered pair (x.y) which state the coordinate location of each point. The origin is located at (0,0).

Plotting Points

Although there are two coordinates given for an ordered pair, it is a series of these two movements that result in one plotted point.

First follow the x to move left/right, then follow the y to move up/down.

Quadrants

This intersection also creates four quadrants where points can be plotted.

To name quadrants, begin at the top right where all the positive values of both x and y are located.

This is Quadrant I. To name the others, move in a counterclockwise rotation.