Geometric or physical plane that contains an orthonormal Cartesian coordinate system.
Locating a point or an object on a Cartesian plane consists in finding the position (address) of the point or object by using its coordinates, that is, its x-coordinate and y-coordinate.
Properties
A Cartesian plane is usually represented by a plane surface divided by two perpendicular lines, the x-axis and the y-axis. This system is used to find points on the plane.
- The coordinates are numbers.
- The two axes are perpendicular.
- The subdivisions on the axes are the same length.
- The scales of the axes are identical.
Examples
- The coordinates of the cat are (3, 4). The x-coordinate is 3 and the y-coordinate is 4.
- The coordinates of the dog are (–3, 4). The x-coordinate is –3 and the y-coordinate is 4.
- The coordinates of the bird are (3,–4). The x-coordinate is 3 and the y-coordinate is –4.
- The coordinates of the rabbit are (–3,–4). The x-coordinate is –3 and the y-coordinate is –4.