# Definition:Cartesian Coordinates

## Definition

### Coordinate Plane

A generic point in the Cartesian Coordinate Plane

The points in the plane can be identified uniquely by means of a pair of coordinates.

Two perpendicular straight lines are chosen. These are understood to be infinite. These are called the axes.

The usual directions to make these are:

$(1): \quad$ Across the page, from left to right. This is usually called the $x$-axis.
$(2): \quad$ Up the page, from bottom to top. This is usually called the $y$-axis.

The point of intersection of the axes is called the origin.

A unit length is specified.

The axes are each identified with the set of real numbers $\R$, where the origin is identified with $0$.

The real numbers increase to the right on the $x$-axis, upwards on the $y$-axis.

Thus the plane can be identified with the cartesian product $\R^2$.

In this context, $\R^2$ is called the (cartesian) coordinate plane.

### Identification of Point in Plane with Ordered Pair

Every point on the plane can be identified by means of a pair of coordinates $\tuple {x, y}$, as follows:

Identify one distinct point on the plane as the origin $O$.

Select a point $P$ on the plane different from $O$.

Let the distance from the origin to $P$ be defined as being $1$.

Draw an infinite straight line through $O$ and $P$ and call it the $X$-axis.

Draw an infinite straight line through $O$ perpendicular to $OP$ and call it the $Y$-axis.

Now, let $Q$ be any point on the plane.

Draw two lines through $Q$, parallel to the $X$-axis and $Y$-axis.

The plane is then conventionally oriented so that the $X$-axis is horizontal with $P$ being to the right of $O$.

Thus the $Y$-axis is then a vertical line.

Thus the point $Q$ can be uniquely identified by the ordered pair $\tuple {x, y}$ as follows:

### X Coordinate

The distance of the line segment from $Q$ to the $Y$-axis is known as the $X$ coordinate and (usually) denoted $x$.

If $Q$ is to the right of the $Y$-axis, then $x$ is positive.

If $Q$ is to the left of the $Y$-axis, then $x$ is negative.

The $X$ coordinate of all points on the $Y$-axis is zero.

### Y Coordinate

The distance of the line segment from $Q$ to the $X$-axis is known as the $Y$ coordinate and (usually) denoted $y$.

If $Q$ is above the $X$-axis, then $y$ is positive.

If $Q$ is below the $X$-axis, then $y$ is negative.

The $Y$ coordinate of all points on the $X$-axis is zero.

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

For ease of reference, the cartesian coordinate plane is often divided into four quadrants by the axes:

Quadrant $\text{I}: \quad$ The area above the $x$-axis and to the right of the $y$-axis is called the first quadrant.

That is, the first quadrant is where both the $x$ coordinate and the $y$ coordinate of a point are positive.

Quadrant $\text{II}: \quad$ The area above the $x$-axis and to the left of the $y$-axis is called the second quadrant.

That is, the second quadrant is where the $x$ coordinate of a point is negative and the $y$ coordinate of a point is positive.

Quadrant $\text{III}: \quad$ The area below the $x$-axis and to the left of the $y$-axis is called the third quadrant.

That is, the third quadrant is where both the $x$ coordinate and the $y$ coordinate of a point are negative.

Quadrant $\text{IV}: \quad$ The area below the $x$-axis and to the right of the $y$-axis is called the fourth quadrant.

That is, the fourth quadrant is where the $x$ coordinate of a point is positive and the $y$ coordinate of a point is negative.

Note that the axes themselves are generally not considered to belong to any quadrant.

## Source of Name

This entry was named for René Descartes.

## Historical Note

The Cartesian plane was supposedly invented by René Descartes.

However, a study of the literature will reveal that this idea originated considerably earlier, perhaps going back as far as Nicole Oresme.

## Also known as

Cartesian coordinates are also known as rectangular coordinates.

## Also see

• Results about cartesian coordinates can be found here.