Cartesian coordinate system

Cartesian coordinate axes

On a graph paper two mutually perpendicular straight lines x'ox and yoy’, intersecting
each other at point o.
The horizontal line x'ox is called x-axis and the vertical line yoy’ is called y-axis and the
two lines x’ox and yoy’ taken together are known as coordinate axes or rectangular
axes or axes or reference. The point 'o' is called origin.
Let us assume that two perpendicular number lines x'ox and yoy’ intersect each other at
the point o. The horizontal number line is called the x-axis and the vertical number line is
called y-axis. The point o, where these lines intersect, is called the origin (the zero point).
We choose a unit length and mark the positive integers 1, 2, 3,......on the right of the origin
on x-axis and above the origin on y-axis. Negative integers are marked to the left of origin
on x-axis and below the origin on y-axis.
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 Note : The cartesian coordinate system or the rectangular system was invented by French
mathematician Rene Descartes when he tried to describe the path of a fly crawling along
crisscross brans on the ceiling while he lay on his bed.

The above system is called a cartesian, or rectangular coordinate system.

A pair of two numbers x and y, listed in a specific order, is called an ordered pair (x, y),
with x at the first place and y at the second place.

🟋 Note that (x, y) ≠ (y, x)

🟋 In our earlier classes, we studied about cartesian coordinate system. We have seen
that a 2-D plane is divided by 2 number lines (intersecting at 90°) into 4 parts or
quadrants.
The position of point on a graph paper was shown by pair of values called
“Coordinates”.
In this chapter, we will continue plotting the points. Observe some shapes, try to find
their areas and even try to locate the reflection of points with respect to coordinate
axis.

Consider an equation y = 2x + 1 where x = 0, 1, 2.

Write the ordered pairs specifying (x, y).
Explanation
We have y = 2x + 1
When x = 0, y = 2 × 0 +1 = 1
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When x = 1, y = 2 × 1 + 1 = 3
When x = 2, y = 2 × 2 + 1 = 5
The ordered pairs are (0, 1), (1, 3) and (2, 5).
Coordinate of a point (or cartesian coordinates)
On a graph paper, let x'ox and y'oy be the coordinate axes. Let P be a point on this graph
paper.
Let P be at a distance of
(i) a units from the y-axis.
(ii) b units from the x-axis.
Then, we say that the coordinates of P are (a, b).
a is called the x-coordinate or abscissa of P
b is called the y-coordinate or ordinate of P
(a, b) is also called the cartesian coordinates of the point P
The sign of coordinates are different in the different quadrants.

Quadrants
The coordinate axes (plural of axis) divide the plane of the graph paper into four regions,
called quadrants.
Using the convention of signs, we have:

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 Sign of the
Region Quadrant Nature of x and y
coordinates
xoy I x > 0 and y > 0 (+, +)
yox' II x < 0 and y > 0 (–, +)
x'oy' III x < 0 and y < 0 (–, –)
y'ox IV x > 0 and y < 0 (+, –)
(i) Both the coordinates are positive in the Ist quadrant.
(ii) Abscissa is negative and ordinate is positive in the IInd quadrant.
(iii) Both abscissa and ordinate are negative in the IIIrd quadrant.
(iv) Abscissa is positive and ordinate is negative in the IVth quadrant.
Coordinate of a point in the cartesian plane
Consider a point, say P in the first quadrant. We can reach P by moving 4 units along OX
and then moving 5 units upward parallel to OY. The point P is read as P (4, 5). Here, 4 is
the x-coordinate and 5 is the y-coordinate. The x-coordinate is also called abscissa and the
y- coordinate as the ordinate of the point. Thus, every point on the coordinate plane has
its abscissa and ordinate. The abscissa and the ordinate together are called the
coordinates of the point.

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In the above figure, the coordinates of P be (4, 5), the coordinates of Q be (–2, 2), the
coordinates be R be (–3, –1) and the coordinates of S be (5, –5).
The coordinates of origin are (0, 0)
(i) For any point on x-axis, y = 0

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 (ii) For any point on y-axis, x = 0
(iii) The coordinate of origin, O are (0, 0)
Points on axes

If a point P lies on x-axis, its coordinate is in the form of (x, 0) and if a point Q lies on
y-axis its coordinate is in the form of (0, y) i.e., if a point P lies on x-axis its distance from
x-axis will be zero. Therefore, we can say that its y-coordinate will be zero. Similarly, if a
point Q lies on y-axis its distance from y-axis will be zero. Therefore, we can say that its
x-coordinate will be zero.
Plotting of points
In order to plot the points in a plane, we may use the following algorithm.
Step-1 : Draw two mutually perpendicular lines on the graph paper. One horizontal
and other vertical.
Step-2 : Mark their intersection point as O (origin)
Step-3 : Choose a suitable scale on x-axis and y-axis mark the points on both the
axes.
Step-4 : Obtain the coordinates of the point which is to be plotted. Let the point be
P(a, b).
To plot this point start from the origin and move |a| units along ox or ox' according as a is
positive or negative respectively. Suppose we arrive at point M. From point M move
vertically upward or downward |b| units according as b is positive or negative. The point
where we arrive finally is the required point P(a, b).
To plot a point corresponding to an ordered pair
Consider an ordered pair, say (3, 5). To plot (3, 5), we start from O, move 3 units along ox
to the right of o and then 5 units upwards parallel to oy.
Similarly, to plot (–3, 4), we start from o, move 3 units along ox' and then 4 units upwards
parallel to oy.

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Therefore, P and Q are the required points whose coordinates are given as (3, 5) and
(–3, 4) respectively.
The ordinate of a point on the x-axis is always zero. Also, abscissa of a point on the y-axis
is always zero.
∴ (a, 0) lies on the x-axis and (0, b) lies on the y-axis.

Sugam purchases a ticket for the movie "An Evening in Paris". The position of his seat is
written on the ticket by using the two items of information. How will we find the position
of seats in the hall.
Exploring the Concept
1. The row number is 4 in which he has to sit.
2. The seat number is 6 in that row.

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 Drawing Conclusions
We can denote the position of this seat by (4, 6). Similarly, seat in the 6th row and seat
number 4 can be written as (6, 4). Seats (4, 6) and (6, 4) are different. In this way, we can
find position of any seat in the hall.

Locate the points in the plane if its coordinates are given as A(5, 0), B(0, 3), C(7, 2),
D(–4, 3), E(– 3, –2) and F(3, – 2).
Solution
For the point A one has to move 5 units in the positive direction of the x-axis and 0 unit in
the positive direction of y-axis and follow the same steps for the other points. The points
on the cartesian plane are as shown in the figure.

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 🟋 The gap between markings on coordinate axis should be equal. Sometimes we

commit this mistake by taking different lengths in between the markings.

🟋 The orientation of co-ordinate axis is fixed (negative in left & downword and

positive in right and upward).

🟋 The numbering on axis is supposed to start of origin (intersection point of axis).

Plot the following pairs of numbers as points in the cartesian plane.

x 3 –3 5 –2 5 0

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 y 1 2 –1 –4 0 –1.25
(x, y) (3, 1) (–3, 2) (5, –1) (–2, –4) (5, 0) (0, –1.25)
Solution

Let the points (3, 1), (–3, 2), (5, –1), (–2, –4), (5, 0) and (0, –1.25) be represented by A, B,

C, D, E and F respectively.

1. Write down the following according to given figure.

(i) Write down the abscissa of the points P, Q, R, S.
(ii) Write down the ordinate of the points P, Q, R, S.
(iii) Write down the coordinates of the points P, Q, R, S.

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2. Draw a rectangle ABCD such that its vertices A, B, C
and D are (4, 3), (4, –2), (–7, –2) and (–7, 3)
respectively.
3. Draw a rhombus ABCD whose vertices are (1, 4.5),
(–1, 0), (1, –4.5) and (3, 0) respectively.
4. Draw a triangle ABC whose vertices A, B and C are
(–3, 0), (3, 3) and (–3, 3) respectively.
5. Draw a square PQRS whose vertices P, Q, R and S are (0, 0), (–4, 0), (–4, –4) and (0,
–4) respectively.
6. Construct a trapezium ABCD whose vertices A, B, C and D are (3, 0), (7, 9), (–6, 9)
and (–2, 0) respectively.
7. Draw a parallelogram ABCD whose vertices A, B, C and D are (–4, 8), (–4, 2), (6, –7)
and (6, –1) respectively.
8. Write coordinates of a point P if its distance from x-axis is 6 units and that of from
y-axis is 1 unit.

🟋 It is advisable to put a small circle around the point and write the coordinates in the

form (x, y)
This makes the point more clearly visible on graph paper.

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 To obtain the mirror image of a given geometrical figure with respect to the x-axis and the
y-axis, concept of plotting of points on the graph paper and an idea of mirror image points
about a given line are needed.
Exploring the concept
1. Consider any geometrical figure say ABCDE.
2. Plot the mirror images of the points A, B, C, D, E with respect to the x-axis to get
mirror image A1, B1, C1, D1, E1.
3. Again, plot the mirror images of points A, B, C, D, E with respect to y-axis to get
mirror image A2, B2, C2, D2, E2.
4. Repeat the activity for different geometrical figures.

Drawing conclusions
1. The mirror images obtained with respect to the x-axis and y-axis remains same.
2. When the mirror image of a figure is obtained with respect to y-axis, then
y-coordinate remains the same.
3. When the mirror image of a figure is obtained with respect to x-axis, the
x-coordinate remains the same.

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A policeman and a thief are equidistant from the jewellery box. Upon considering
jewellery box as origin, the position of policeman is (0, 5). If the ordinate of the
position of thief is zero, then the position of thief is

Explanation

Since, the ordinate of the position of thief is zero.

∴ The position of thief lies on x-axis.

Also, thief and policeman are equidistant from origin. So, position of thief is any one

of (5, 0) or (– 5, 0).

1. (i) 1, –3, –8, 8

(ii) 3, 5, –5, –7

(iii) P(1, 3), Q(–3, 5), R(–8, –5), S(8, –7)

8. Coordinates of the point P(1, 6)

In which quadrant or on which axis do each of the points (–2, 4), (3, –1), (–1, 0),

(1, 2) and (–3, –5) lie? Verify your answer by locating them on the cartesian plane.

Solution

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 Clearly, (–2, 4) lie in the second quadrant. ( x < 0, y > 0)

(3, –1) lie in the fourth quadrant. (x > 0, y < 0)

(–1, 0) lie in the x-axis and it is on the negative side of x-axis i.e. on OX'.

(1, 2) lie in the first quadrant. (x > 0, y > 0)

(–3, –5) lie in the third quadrant. (x < 0, y < 0)

Verification: Plot the points (–2, 4), (3, –1), (–1, 0), (1, 2), (–3, –5).
Result is verified.
(–2, 4) lies in II quadrant, (3, –1) lies in IV quadrant. (–1, 0) lies on left i.e. negative part of
x-axis, (1, 2) lies in the I quadrant and (–3, –5) lies in the III quadrant.

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Three vertices of a rectangle are (3, 2), (–4, 2) and (–4, 5). Plot these points and find
the coordinates of the fourth vertex.
Solution
Plot the three vertices of the rectangle as
A(3, 2), B(–4, 2), C(–4, 5).
To find the coordinates of the fourth vertex D
so that ABCD is a rectangle, the opposite sides
of a rectangle are equal, therefore the abscissa
of D should be equal to abscissa of A, i.e., 3 and
the ordinate of D should be equal to the
ordinate of C, i.e., 5.
Hence, the coordinates of D are (3, 5).

(a) From the figure, answer the following:

(i) Write the points whose abscissa is 0.
(ii) Write the points whose ordinate is 0.
(iii) Write the points whose abscissa is – 5.

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 (b) Plot the points A(1, –1) and B(4, 5)
(i) Draw a line segment joining these points. Write the coordinates of a point on
this line segment between the points A and B.
(ii) Extend this line segment and write the coordinates of a point on this line
which lies outside the line segment AB.
Solution
(a) (i) Required points are A(0, 3), L(0, –4)
(ii) Required points are G(5, 0), I(–2, 0)
(iii) Required points are D(–5, 1), H(–5, –3)
(b) Plot the points A(1, –1), B(4, 5). We can take O(3, 3) between A and B and point C(5,
7) lying outside AB but lying on AB produced. Apart from these two points, there can
be many other points also.

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