Origin

Definition

The origin is a fundamental concept in mathematics, particularly in the context of coordinate systems and graphing. It represents the fixed point of reference from which all other points are measured and located on a graph or coordinate plane.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The origin is the point $(0, 0)$ on a coordinate plane, where the x-axis and y-axis intersect.
2. In the context of graphing linear equations, the origin serves as the reference point from which the line is plotted.
3. When graphing linear inequalities, the origin is the starting point for determining the half-plane that satisfies the inequality.
4. For systems of linear inequalities, the origin is the common point of reference used to identify the feasible region.
5. The origin is a crucial component in calculating the distance between two points and the midpoint of a line segment using the distance and midpoint formulas.

Review Questions

• Explain the role of the origin in graphing linear equations in two variables.
  • The origin, represented by the point $(0, 0)$, serves as the fixed reference point on the coordinate plane when graphing linear equations in two variables. It is the intersection of the x-axis and y-axis, and all other points on the graph are measured in relation to the origin. The origin is particularly important in the slope-intercept form of a linear equation, $y = mx + b$, where the y-intercept, $b$, is the point where the line crosses the y-axis, starting from the origin.
• Describe the significance of the origin when graphing linear inequalities in two variables.
  • When graphing linear inequalities in two variables, the origin $(0, 0)$ is the starting point for determining the half-plane that satisfies the inequality. The inequality divides the coordinate plane into two regions, and the origin is the reference point used to identify which region contains the solutions. The position of the origin relative to the boundary line of the inequality is crucial in determining the feasible region that satisfies the given constraint.
• Analyze the role of the origin in the context of graphing systems of linear inequalities.
  • In the graphing of systems of linear inequalities, the origin $(0, 0)$ serves as the common point of reference for all the individual inequalities. The feasible region, which represents the area where all the constraints are satisfied, is determined by the intersection of the half-planes corresponding to each inequality. The origin is the starting point for this process, as it helps to identify the relative positions of the boundary lines and the resulting feasible region on the coordinate plane.

Related terms

Coordinate Plane:

A two-dimensional plane where points are identified by their x and y coordinates, with the origin serving as the fixed starting point.

Cartesian Coordinates: A system of coordinates that uses perpendicular x and y axes to locate points in a two-dimensional plane, with the origin as the intersection of the axes.

Slope-Intercept Form:

A way to represent a linear equation in two variables, $y = mx + b$, where the y-intercept is the point where the line crosses the y-axis, and the origin is the point $(0, 0)$.