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Lesson 33: Introduction to the Cartesian (x, y) Coordinate System
This lesson introduces you to a very common topic in math. Like most topics, it's quite easy once you understand it. This lesson explains the basics.
Don't forget to watch the embedded video clip for this lesson at the bottom of the page. Please be sure to read the embedded video information and disclaimer.
In math, there is often a need to plot points on a chart or grid. Think about points on a map. To find a particular point, it would be helpful to start in a corner, and then know how far to the right to move, and how far up. In math, we have a system that works like this. It's called the Cartesian Coordinate System, in which we use what are called X and Y coordinates to help identify a point.
Look
at the diagram at right. The horizontal line along the bottom is
called the X-axis, and the numbers on that line are called
X-coordinates. The vertical line at left is called the Y-axis, and
the numbers on that line are called Y-coordinates. All of this should be
memorized. To identify a point on the grid, we
always list the X-coordinate first, followed by the Y-coordinate.
We put these coordinates in parentheses, like this: (x, y).
Let's find the coordinates of the points on the grid at right. The square is at (1, 3). We move 1 unit to the right, and then 3 units up. The circle is at (2, 4). The star is at (3, 1), and the triangle is at (5, 2). Note that had there been a point in the very lower left hand corner, its coordinates would have been (0, 0). This is only a very basic introduction to the Cartesian coordinate system. You'll learn much more about it later.
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