x

yCartesian Plane

y axis

x axisorigin

René Descartes (1596-1650)

Points and their Coordinates

x

y

The Cartesian Plane is divided into four quadrants.

III

III IV

x

y

Plotting Points in the Cartesian Plane

(5, 6) is an example of an ordered pair.

x coordinate

y coordinate (5, 6)

5

6

x

y

Plotting Points in the Cartesian Plane(5, 6) is an example of an ordered pair.

x coordinate

y coordinate (5, 6)

x

y

(x, y)

in the door

up the elevator

It is like entering a hotel …

(– 3, 4)(– 3, 4)

left 3

up 4

x

y

Plot the following points.

A(– 4, 6)

A(– 4, 6)B(2, – 3)

B(2, – 3)

C(– 6, – 4)

C(– 6, – 4)

D(7, 3)

D(7, 3)

These points all lie in different quadrants.What do you notice about their coordinates?

x

y

Plot the following points.

F(0, 6) F(0, 6)

E(5, 0)

H(0, – 3)

G(– 7, 0)

G(– 7, 0)H(0, – 3)

E(5, 0)

These points all lie on the axes, not in quadrants.

What do you notice about their coordinates?