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Cartesian Coordinates

Definition

Cartesian coordinates are a system used to locate points on a plane using two perpendicular lines called axes (usually x and y). The x-coordinate represents the horizontal position, while the y-coordinate represents the vertical position.

Analogy

Think of Cartesian coordinates as a treasure map grid. The x-axis tells you how far east or west you are from the starting point, while the y-axis tells you how far north or south you are. Together, they pinpoint your exact location.

Related terms

Slope-Intercept Form: This is an equation in the form y = mx + b, where m represents the slope of a line and b represents its y-intercept. It allows us to easily identify key characteristics of linear functions.

Distance Formula: This formula calculates the distance between two points in a coordinate plane using their respective x and y coordinates. It involves taking square roots and applying Pythagorean theorem.

Midpoint Formula: This formula determines the midpoint between two given points in a coordinate plane. It involves averaging their x-coordinates and averaging their y-coordinates separately.