Cartesian System

Understanding the position of points in a plane.

The Cartesian Plane

Two number lines perpendicular to each other form a Cartesian Plane.
Horizontal Line: X-axis
Vertical Line: Y-axis

                    The point of intersection of the axes is called the Origin (0,0).
                

Quadrants

The axes divide the plane into four parts known as Quadrants.
Quadrant I: (+, +)
Quadrant II: (-, +)
Quadrant III: (-, -)
Quadrant IV: (+, -)

Coordinates of a Point

A point P is represented as (x, y).
x-coordinate (abscissa): Distance from Y-axis.
y-coordinate (ordinate): Distance from X-axis.

Practice Questions

Free Preview - 10 Questions

Test your understanding of the Cartesian System.

1 The point of intersection of the coordinate axes is called:

A Ordinate
B Abscissa
C Quadrant
D Origin

Explanation:

The origin is the point (0,0) where the X and Y axes intersect.

2 The x-coordinate is also known as:

A Abscissa
B Ordinate
C Origin
D Axis

Explanation:

The x-coordinate of a point is its abscissa.

3 In which quadrant does the point (-2, 4) lie?

A I
B II
C III
D IV

Explanation:

x remains negative and y positive in the 2nd Quadrant.

4 The coordinates of the origin are:

A (1, 1)
B (0, 1)
C (1, 0)
D (0, 0)

Explanation:

Origin is denoted by O(0,0).

5 A point on the X-axis has coordinates of the form:

A (x, 0)
B (0, y)
C (x, x)
D (0, x)

Explanation:

Any point on the X-axis has its y-coordinate equal to 0.

6 The perpendicular distance of the point (3, 4) from the Y-axis is:

Explanation:

Distance from Y-axis is the x-coordinate (abscissa), which is 3.

7 Signs of coordinates in Quadrant IV are:

A (+, +)
B (-, +)
C (-, -)
D (+, -)

Explanation:

In Quadrant IV, x is positive and y is negative.

8 If the coordinates of a point are (-3, -5), it lies in:

A First quadrant
B Second quadrant
C Third quadrant
D Fourth quadrant

Explanation:

Both x and y are negative in the 3rd Quadrant.

9 The point (0, -7) lies on:

A X-axis
B Y-axis
C Quadrant II
D Quadrant IV

Explanation:

Since the x-coordinate is 0, the point lies on the Y-axis.

10 The ordinate of the point (4, -3) is:

A 4
B -3
C 3
D 7

Explanation:

Ordinate refers to the y-coordinate, which is -3.

Want to Practice More?

Get access to 50+ questions on Coordinate Geometry with detailed explanations, step-by-step solutions, and progress tracking in our mobile app.

Download for Android Download on Apple Store