Lines in the Coordinate Plane

Coordinate Planes

Coordinate Planes

• A Coordinate Plane is a 2-dimensional surface formed by 2 lines. The lines are perpendicular.

• The horizontal line is the x-axis. It tells you how far to move to the left (negative) or right (positive). This number is first.

• The vertical line is the y-axis. It tells you how far to move up (positive) or down (negative). This number is second.

Coordinates

• When plotting a point, go the left or right first. Then go up or down. Think of how you use an elevator.

• The first number is the x-coordinate because it is from the x-axis (horizontal).

• The second number is the y-coordinate because it is from the y-axis (vertical).

Coordinates

Where the x-axis and y-axis intersect is called the origin, this point is always (0,0).