Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
A Cartesian equation is an equation that relates variables using algebraic expressions and coordinates on a Cartesian plane.
Related terms
Slope-intercept form: An equation of a line written as y = mx + b, where m represents the slope and b represents the y-intercept.
Parametric equations: Equations that express variables x and y separately as functions of another variable, often denoted by t.
Polar coordinates: A coordinate system where each point is determined by its distance from the origin (magnitude) and its angle from the positive x-axis.