Coordinate Graphing System
The coordinate graphing system is formed by a pair of perpendicular number
lines. The two lines intersect, or cross, to form four right angles.
The number lines are
both marked with the
set of integers. They
intersect each other
through zero on each
line. This intersection
point is called the
Origin.
Vocab.
Perpendicular Lines are lines that cross to form
four right (90º) angles.
Number lines are lines which have been divided
into equal parts which are numbered at regular
intervals, in the same way as a ruler is divided and
marked.
Integers are all the positive whole numbers, their
opposites (the negative values of each number),
and zero.
Each of the two
number lines is
called an axis
(pronounced "ack-
sis"). The plural
form of axis is axes
(pronounced"ack -
sees").
The horizontal
axis, the one that
goes across from
side to side, is
called the X axis.
The vertical axis,
the one that goes
up and down, is
called the Y axis.
Points can be drawn, or plotted, on the coordinate graph
using specific coordinates. These coordinates are written
using an ordered pair of numbers. These numbers are
written inside parentheses and are separated by a comma.
A point is always plotted from the starting point of the
origin, where the lines intersect through the number zero.
The first number in the ordered pair shows how far left or
right to move from zero on the x axis. The second number
in the ordered pair shows how far up or down to move from
zero on the y axis.
The coordinates of
point B are (4,5)
because it is
located 4 units to
the right of zero on
the x axis, and 5
unit up from zero
on the y axis. It is
plotted where the
two lines cross.
The coordinates of
point C are (-6, -3)
because it is
located 6 units to
the left of zero on
the x axis, and 3
units down from
zero on the y axis.
It is plotted where
the two lines cross.
Graph Quadrants
If you look at the coordinate graph, you can see that when the x
and y axes cross, they form four sections. These sections are
called quadrants. That's why you will sometimes hear a
coordinate graph be called a four-quadrant graph. The quadrants
are numbered using Roman numerals, starting with the top right
quadrant, and moving around in a circle to the left.
The quadrant the plotted
points will fall in depends
upon whether the
numbers in the ordered
pair are positive or
negative integers.
If both the x and the y
number are positive, the
point will be in quadrant
I. If the x number is
negative, but the y
number is positive, the
point will be in quadrant
II. If the x and y numbers
are both negative, the
point will be in quadrant
III. If the x number is
positive, but the y
number is negative, the
point will be in quadrant
IV.
1. What kind of lines form a coordinate
graphing system?
Perpendicular lines form the coordinate graphing system.
2. What is the vertical line called?
The y axis
3. What is the horizontal line called
The x axis
4. How do you know whether to go
right or left from zero on the x axis?
If the x number is positive, go right. If it is negative, go
left.
5. What are the numbers that give the
coordinates of a point called?
The coordinates of a point are called an ordered pair.
Recap
The coordinate graphing system is formed by the
intersection of two perpendicular number lines
marked by integers.
The lines are called the x and y axes.
The x axis is horizontal.
The y axis is vertical.
The origin is the point at which the lines intersect.
The intersecting lines form four sections, called
quadrants, numbered with Roman numerals.
The coordinates are written as an ordered pair.
The ordered pair is always written in the (x, y)
format.
Always begin at the origin when plotting a point.
