Coordinate Plane

The coordinate plane is a type of graph made of perpendicular number lines that go across a plane. The lines intersect at the origin. The horizontal line is the x-axis and the vertical line is the y-axis. They x and y axis divide the plane into four parts called quadrants. The quadrants are labeled 1-4 in a counterclockwise direction.

Points in the plane are represented by ordered pairs. Ordered pairs look like this: (2, 3). The first number gives the position of the point on the x-axis and the second number gives the position on the y-axis. Ordered pairs are found in the quadrants depending on their sign. (See the diagram above for the signs of x and y.)

You can connect the points to form objects or find the ordered pairs of a shape already drawn. We will learn more about the coordinate plane when we explore linear equations.

If you like challenges and want to learn more about ordered pairs, you will enjoy plotting the ordered pairs for a complicated but rewarding picture (find coordinates on the next page). Connect the consecutive points in each section.