# Definition:Cartesian 3-Space

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## Definition

The Cartesian $3$-space is a Cartesian coordinate system of $3$ dimensions.

### Definition by Axes

A general point in Cartesian $3$-Space

Every point in ordinary $3$-space can be identified uniquely by means of an ordered triple of real coordinates $\tuple {x, y, z}$, as follows:

Construct a Cartesian plane, with origin $O$ and axes identified as the $x$-axis and $y$-axis.

Recall the identification of the point $P$ with the coordinate pair $\tuple {1, 0}$ in the $x$-$y$ plane.

Construct an infinite straight line through $O$ perpendicular to both the $x$-axis and the$y$-axis and call it the $z$-axis.

Identify the point $P''$ on the $z$-axis such that $OP'' = OP$.

Identify the $z$-axis with the real number line such that:

$0$ is identified with the origin $O$
$1$ is identified with the point $P$

### Definition by Planes

Every point in ordinary $3$-space can be identified uniquely by means of an ordered triple of real coordinates $\tuple {x, y, z}$, as follows:

Identify one distinct point in space as the origin $O$.

Let $3$ distinct planes be constructed through $O$ such that all are perpendicular.

Each pair of these $3$ planes intersect in a straight line that passes through $O$.

Let $X$, $Y$ and $Z$ be points, other than $O$, one on each of these $3$ lines of intersection.

Then the lines $OX$, $OY$ and $OZ$ are named the $x$-axis, $y$-axis and $z$-axis respectively.

Select a point $P$ on the $x$-axis different from $O$.

Let $P$ be identified with the coordinate pair $\tuple {1, 0}$ in the $x$-$y$ plane.

Identify the point $P'$ on the $y$-axis such that $OP' = OP$.

Identify the point $P''$ on the $z$-axis such that $OP'' = OP$.

The orientation of the $z$-axis is determined by the position of $P''$ relative to $O$.

It is conventional to locate $P''$ as follows.

Imagine being positioned, standing on the $x$-$y$ plane at $O$, and facing along the $x$-axis towards $P$, with $P'$ on the left.

Then $P''$ is then one unit above the $x$-$y$ plane.

Let the $x$-$y$ plane be identified with the plane of the page or screen.

The orientation of the $z$-axis is then:

coming vertically "out of" the page or screen from the origin, the numbers on the $z$-axis are positive
going vertically "into" the page or screen from the origin, the numbers on the $z$-axis are negative.

### Cartesian Coordinate Triple

Let $Q$ be a point in Cartesian $3$-space.

Construct $3$ straight lines through $Q$:

one perpendicular to the $y$-$z$ plane, intersecting the $y$-$z$ plane at the point $x$
one perpendicular to the $x$-$z$ plane, intersecting the $x$-$z$ plane at the point $y$
one perpendicular to the $x$-$y$ plane, intersecting the $x$-$y$ plane at the point $z$.

The point $Q$ is then uniquely identified by the ordered pair $\tuple {x, y, z}$.

Hence:

the point $P$ is identified with the coordinates $\tuple {1, 0, 0}$
the point $P'$ is identified with the coordinates $\tuple {0, 1, 0}$.
the point $P''$ is identified with the coordinates $\tuple {0, 0, 1}$.