Cartesian Plane, Coordinate Plane, Coordinate Grid

By Deb Russell, About.com Guide

The x-coordinate is always the first number in the pair and the y-coordinate is always the second number in the pair. The point below shows the following ordered pair:(4, -2). The point is represented by a black dot. Therefore (x,y) = (4, -2). To identify the ordered pairs or to locate points, you start at the origin and count the units along each axis. This point show 4 to the right, and 2 down.

Previous

• Cartesian Plane (See Next for Ordering Pairs)
• More on the Cartesian Plane
• Cartesian Plane and Ordered Pairs
• Ordered Pairs and Locating Points

Next