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Coordinate Systems

According to the Ruler Postulate, the points on a line can be numbered so that to every point there is matched number called its coordinate.
A line numbered in this way is a one dimensional coordinate system (number line).

One Dimensional Coordinate System

One Dimensional Coordinate System
Here is a line that has been numbered so that to every point there is a matched number called its coordinate.
If two lines are numbered according to the Ruler Postulate are perpendicular to one another (as shown in the figure below) the number lines become the axes of a two dimensional coordinate system.
The axes are labeled x and y, and the point in which they intersect, zero on each axis, is labeled with a capital O and is the origin of the coordinate system.
The axes separate the plane that contains them into four parts (quadrants). The quadrants are identified by Roman numerals.
Roman NumeralCounting Number
 I 1
 II 2
III 3
IV 4
The axes of a two dimensional coordinate system.
The axes of a two dimensional coordinate system.
To find the coordinates of any given point on a coordinate plane, locate the point and draw a perpendicular line from the point to the x axis. That is the point's x coordinate. Return to the same point and draw a perpendicular line from the point to the y axis. That is the point's y coordinate.

How to find the coordinates of a point

How to find the coordinates of a point
The axes of a two dimensional coordinate system.
Definitions The x-coordinate of a point is the number located on the x-axis (back and forth line) The y-coordinate of a point is the number located on the y-axis (up and down line) The coordinates of a point are written in parentheses and separated by a comma The x coordinate is ALWAYS listed first (x,y)

The following exercises refer to the figure below.

The following exercises refer to the figure below.

Question 1

What are the lines labeled x and y called?

Select all that apply
  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
Check my answer (3)

Question 2

What is the point labeled O called?

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  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
Check my answer (3)

Question 3

Which quadrant is point P in?

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  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
Check my answer (3)

Question 4

What is the x-coordinate of point P?

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  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
Check my answer (3)

Question 5

What is the y-coordinate of point P?

Select all that apply
  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
Check my answer (3)