The Rectangular Coordinate

System

1. Determine the coordinates of a given point.

2. Plot points in the coordinate plane.
3. Determine the quadrant for a given coordinate.
4. Determine whether the graph of a set of data points
is linear.
 x-axis

Quadrant II Quadrant I
y-axis

positive

negative

ordered pair
(x,y)
Quadrant Quadrant IV
III origin
(0, 0)
quadrants
Use Roman numerals to identify quadrants.
Use Roman numerals to identify quadrants.

Positive x; negative y
Quadrant II Quadrant I
(−, +) (+, +) Negative x; negative y
Positive x; positive y

Quadrant III Quadrant IV Negative x; positive y

(−, −) (+, −)
Write the coordinates for each point shown.
A
A: (3, 5)
B
B: (-3, 3)

C C: (0, 0)

D D: (0, -2)
E
F E: (2, -3)
F: (-1, -4)
Plot and label each point. Name the quadrant.

B
Quadrant
A

A: (1,4) I

F B: (-3,5) II

C: (3,-5) IV

D: (-3,-5) III
E
D C
E: (0,-4) y-axis

F: (-4,0) x-axis
 Linear versus Non-linear

⮚ In many problems data are listed as ordered pairs.

⮚ If we plot each pair of data as an ordered pair, we

can see whether the points form a straight line.

⮚ If they form a straight line they are linear.

⮚ Points that do not form a straight line are nonlinear.

The following points show the path of an object over
time. Plot the points with the time along the horizontal
axis and the distance along the vertical axis. Then state
whether the path is linear or nonlinear.
Time Distance
(hours) (miles)
0 0
1 62
2 124
3 186
4 248

The data points form a straight line;

the path of the object is linear.
Identify the coordinates of the point
shown below.

a) (–4, –3 )

b) (–3, –4)

c) (4, –3)

d) (–3, 4)

Copyright © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Pearson Addison-Wesley Slide 4- 8

Identify the coordinates of the point
shown below.

a) (–4, –3 )

b) (–3, –4)

c) (4, –3)

d) (–3, 4)

Copyright © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Pearson Addison-Wesley Slide 4- 9

In which quadrant is the point (5, –2)
located?

a) I

b) II

c) III

d) IV

Copyright © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Pearson Addison-Wesley Slide 4- 10

In which quadrant is the point (5, –2)
located?

a) I

b) II

c) III

d) IV

Copyright © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Pearson Addison-Wesley Slide 4- 11

 Graphing Linear Equations

1. Determine whether a given pair of coordinates is a

solution to a given equation with two unknowns.
2. Find solutions for an equation with two
unknowns.
3. Graph linear equations.

Slide 4- 12
Determine whether the ordered pair is a solution for
the equation.
(−3, 5) y = 4x – 3

y = 4x – 3
?
5 = 4(–3) – 3 Replace x with –3 and y with 5.
?
5 = –12 – 3
5 ≠ –15 Because the equation is not true, (–3, 5) is not a
solution for y = 4x – 3.
To determine if a given ordered pair is a solution:

1. Replace the variables in the equation with the

corresponding coordinates.

2. Verify that the equation is true.

Determine if the given ordered pair is a solution to the given equation.

(2,3) x + 2y = 8 (2,1) 2x - y = 5
2+2(3) ? 8 2(2) – 1 ? 5
2+6=8 4–1?5
Yes, a solution 3≠5
Not a solution
How do we find solutions for an equation with two unknowns?

Find three solutions for the equation. 4x + y = 5

Replace one of the variables with a chosen value and then
solve for the other variable.

Choose x = 0 Choose x = 1 Choose x = 2

4x + y = 5 4x + y = 5 4x + y = 5
4(0) + y = 5 4(1) + y = 5 4(2) + y = 5
y=5 4+y=5 8+y=5
Solution (0, 5) y=1 y = –3
Solution (1, 1) Solution (2, −3)
continued

The solutions can be summarized in a table:

x y Ordered Pair
0 5 (0, 5)
1 1 (1, 1)
2 −3 (2, −3)

There are an infinite number of correct solutions for a

given equation in two variables.
To Find Solutions to Equations with Two Variables
1. Choose a value for one of the variables (any
value).
2. Replace the corresponding variable with your
chosen value.
3. Solve the equation for the value of the other
variable.
To Graph Linear Equations

1. Find at least two solutions to the equation.

2. Plot the solutions as points in the rectangular
coordinate system.
3. Connect the points to form a straight line.
Graph 4x + y = 5

x y Ordered Pair
0 5 (0, 5) 4x + y = 5

1 1 (1, 1)
2 −3 (2, −3)
Graph: 3x + y = 2
Graph:
Graph:
Example 5
Graph y = 2

Rewrite the equation

y=2

0x + y = 2

x y Ordered Pair
0 2 (0, 2)
1 2 (1, 2)
3 2 (3, 2)
Horizontal Lines y=c

If the equation has only a y, the line is horizontal.

Example 6
Graph x = -4

Rewrite the equation

x + 0y = -4

x y Ordered Pair
-4 0 (-4, 0)
-4 1 (-4, 1)
-4 2 (-4, 2)
Vertical Lines x=c

If the equation has only an x, the line is vertical.

Which ordered pair is a solution of the
equation 3x – 2y = –6?

a) (−4, 3)

b) (1, 5)

c) (2, 0)

d) (0, 3)

Copyright © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Pearson Addison-Wesley Slide 4- 28

Which ordered pair is a solution of the
equation 3x – 2y = –6?

a) (−4, 3)

b) (1, 5)

c) (2, 0)

d) (0, 3)

Copyright © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Pearson Addison-Wesley Slide 4- 29

 Graph 4x – y = –4

a) b)

c) d)

Copyright © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Pearson Addison-Wesley Slide 4- 30

 Graph 4x – y = –4

a) b)

c) d)

Copyright © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Pearson Addison-Wesley Slide 4- 31

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 Coordinate Geometry in the (x,y)
plane
y
Equation of a straight line
y-intercept gradient
The equation of a straight line is
usually written in one of 2 forms.
1
One you will have seen before;
x

Where m is the gradient and c is

the y-intercept.

Or, the general form:

Where a, b and c are integers.

 Coordinate Geometry in the (x,y)
plane
Equation of a straight line Example
1 down the gradient and y-
Write
The equation of a straight line is intercept of the following graphs
usually written in one of 2 forms.
One you will have seen before; a)
🡪 Gradient = -3
🡪 y-intercept = (0,2)
Where m is the gradient and c is
the y-intercept. b) Rearrange to
get ‘y’ on one
Or, the general form: side

Divide by 2

Where a, b and c are integers.

🡪 Gradient = 2
🡪 y-intercept = (0, 5/2)
 Coordinate Geometry in the (x,y)
plane
Equation of a straight line Example
2 each equation in the form
Write
The equation of a straight line is ax + by + c = 0
usually written in one of 2 forms.
One you will have seen before; a)
-y
Correct
form
Where m is the gradient and c is
the y-intercept.
b)
+1/2x
Or, the general form: and -5
x2 (to
remove
Where a, b and c are integers. fraction)
Correct
form
 Coordinate Geometry in the (x,y)
plane
Equation of a straight line Example
3 is parallel to the line y = 3x +
A line
The equation of a straight line is 2 and passes through (0,-1). Write
usually written in one of 2 forms. the equation of the line.
One you will have seen before;

Parallel so the
gradient will be
Where m is the gradient and c is the same
the y-intercept.
Crosses through
(0,-1), which is
Or, the general form: on the y-axis

Where a, b and c are integers. 2

-1
 Coordinate Geometry in the (x,y)
plane
Equation of a straight line Example
4 is parallel to the line 6x + 3y – 2
A line
The equation of a straight line is = 0 and passes through (0,3). Write
usually written in one of 2 forms. the equation of the line.
One you will have seen before;

Rearrange to
Where m is the gradient and c is the form y = mx
+c
the y-intercept.

Divide by 3
Or, the general form:
The new line
has the same
gradient, but
Where a, b and c are integers. intercepts the y-
axis at 3
 Coordinate Geometry in the (x,y)
plane
Equation of a straight line Example
5 line y = 4x + 8 crosses the y-
The
The equation of a straight line is axis at 8. It crosses the x-axis at P.
usually written in one of 2 forms. Work out the coordinates of P.
One you will have seen before;

Crosses the x-
Where m is the gradient and c is axis where y=0
the y-intercept.
-8
Or, the general form:
Divide by 4

Where a, b and c are integers.

So the line crosses the x-axis at (-2,0)
 Coordinate Geometry in the (x,y)
plane
The gradient of a line
y (x2,y2)
You can work out the gradient
of a line if you know 2 points on (x1,y1) y2 - y 1
it.
x2 - x 1
Let the first point be (x1,y1) and
the second be (x2,y2). The x
following formula gives the
gradient:

‘The change in the y values,

divided by the change in the x
values’
 Coordinate Geometry in the (x,y)
plane
The gradient of a line Example
1
Calculate the gradient of the line
You can work out the gradient which passes through (2,3) and
of a line if you know 2 points on (5,7)
it. (x1, y1) = (2, 3)
(x2, y2) = (5, 7)
Let the first point be (x1,y1) and
the second be (x2,y2). The
following formula gives the
gradient: Substitute
numbers
in

Work out
or leave
‘The change in the y values, as a
divided by the change in the x fraction
values’
 Coordinate Geometry in the (x,y)
plane
The gradient of a line Example
2
Calculate the gradient of the line
You can work out the gradient which passes through (-2,7) and
of a line if you know 2 points on (4,5)
it. (x1, y1) = (-2,
7)
(x2, y2) = (4, 5)
Let the first point be (x1,y1) and
the second be (x2,y2). The
following formula gives the
Substitute
gradient: numbers
in

Work out
or leave
‘The change in the y values, as a
divided by the change in the x fraction
values’ Simplify if
possible
 Coordinate Geometry in the (x,y)
plane
The gradient of a line Example
3
Calculate the gradient of the line
You can work out the gradient which passes through (2d,-5d) and
of a line if you know 2 points on (6d,3d)
it. (x1, y1) = (2d, -5d)
(x2, y2) = (6d,
Let the first point be (x1,y1) and 3d)
the second be (x2,y2). The
following formula gives the
Substitute
gradient: numbers
in

Work out
or leave
as a
‘The change in the y values, fraction
divided by the change in the x Simplify if
values’ possible
(the d’s
cancel
out)
 Coordinate Geometry in the (x,y)
plane
The gradient of a line Example
4 line joining (2, -5) to (4, a) has a
The
You can work out the gradient gradient of -1. Calculate the value of
of a line if you know 2 points on a.
it. (x1, y1) = (2, -5)
(x2, y2) = (4, a)
Let the first point be (x1,y1) and
the second be (x2,y2). The
following formula gives the
Substitute
gradient: numbers
in

Simplify

‘The change in the y values, Multiply

divided by the change in the x by 2
values’
Subtract 5
 Coordinate Geometry in the (x,y)
plane
Finding the Equation of a Example
line 1 the equation of the line with
Find
gradient 5 that passes through the point
You can find the equation of the (3,2)
(x1, y1)= (3, 2)
line with gradient m, and
coordinate (x1, y1) by using the m=
5
following formula:
Substitute the
numbers in

Expand the
bracket

Add 2
 Coordinate Geometry in the (x,y)
plane
Finding the Equation of a Example
line 2 the equation of the line with
Find
gradient -1/2 that passes through the
You can find the equation of the (x , y )= (4, -6)point (4,-6)
1 1
line with gradient m, and
coordinate (x1, y1) by using the m = -1/2
following formula:
Substitute the
numbers in

Expand the
brackets

Subtract 6
 Coordinate Geometry in the (x,y)
plane
Finding the Equation of a Example
line
The 3
line y = 3x – 9 crosses the x-axis at
coordinate A. Find the equation of the
You can find the equation of the line with gradient 2/3 that passes through
line with gradient m, and
A. Give your answer in the form ax + by
coordinate (x1, y1) by using the + c = 0 where a, b and c are integers.
following formula:
At point A, y =
0
Subtract 9
Thought Process
‘To find the equation of the line, I Divide by 3
need point A’
‘Point A is on the x-axis, so will have
a y-coordinate of 0’
‘As the equation I have already, A=
crosses A as well, I can put y=0 into (3,0)
it to find out the x value at A’
 Coordinate Geometry in the (x,y)
plane
Finding the Equation of a Example A=
line
The 3
line y = 3x – 9 crosses the (3,0)
x-axis at
coordinate A. Find the equation of the
You can find the equation of the line with gradient 2/3 that passes through
line with gradient m, and
A. Give your answer in the form ax + by
coordinate (x1, y1) by using the + c = 0 where a, b and c are integers.
following formula: (x1, y1)= (3, 0)
m = 2/3

Substitute in
Thought Process values
‘To find the equation of the line, I
need point A’ Multiply out
‘Point A is on the x-axis, so will have bracket
a y-coordinate of 0’
‘As the equation I have already,
crosses A as well, I can put y=0 into Subtract y
it to find out the x value at A’

Multiply by 3
 Coordinate Geometry in the (x,y)
plane
Finding the Equation of a Example
line 1 out the equation of the line that
Work
goes through points (3,-1) and (5, 7).
You can find the equation of a Give your answer in the form y = mx +
line from 2 points by using the (x1, y1) = (3, -1) c.
following formula: (x2, y2) = (5, 7)

Substitute in
values

Work out any

sums

Multiply the right

side by 4 to make
fractions the same
Multiply by 8

Subtract 1
 Coordinate Geometry in the (x,y)
plane
Finding the Equation of a Example
line
The 1
lines y = 4x – 7 and 2x + 3y – 21 =
0 intersect at point A. Point B has co-
You can find the equation of a ordinates (-2, 8). Find the equation of
line from 2 points by using the the line that passes through A and B
following formula:

Replace y with
Thought Process ‘4x - 7’
‘We need to find point A’ Expand the
‘If the equations intersect at A, bracket
they have the same value for y Group x’s and
add 42
(and x)’
If I can write one of the Divide by 14
equations in terms of y, I can Sub x into one
replace the y in the second A=
of the first
equation and solve it’ equations to
(3,5) get y
 Coordinate Geometry in the (x,y)
plane
Finding the Equation of a Example A=
line
The 1
lines y = 4x –(3,5)
7 and 2x + 3y – 21 =
0 intersect at point A. Point B has co-
You can find the equation of a ordinates (-2, 8). Find the equation of
line from 2 points by using the the line that passes through A and B
following formula: (x1, y1) = (3, 5) (x2, y2) = (-2, 8)

Substitute in
values
Thought Process Work out the
‘We need to find point A’ denominators
‘If the equations intersect at A, Multiply all of left by -5
they have the same value for y and all of right by 3
(and x)’ (makes denominators
equal)
If I can write one of the
equations in terms of y, I can Multiply by -15
replace the y in the second Rearrange,
equation and solve it’ keeping x positive
 Coordinate Geometry in the (x,y)
plane
Finding the Perpendicular to a Example
line
Work1out the gradient of the line that is
perpendicular to the lines with the
You need to be able to work out the following gradients.
gradient of a line which is
Perpendicular to another.
🡪 Perpendicular means ‘intersects Line gradient Perpendicular
at a right angle… These lines
are 3 -1/3
perpendicular 1
/2 -2
-2/5 5
/2
🡪 If a line has a gradient of m, the 2x -1/2x
line perpendicular has gradient -1/m

🡪 Two perpendicular lines have

gradients that multiply to give -1
 Coordinate Geometry in the (x,y)
plane
Finding the Perpendicular to a Example
line 2 line y = 3x + 4 perpendicular to
Is the
the line x + 3y – 3 = 0?
You need to be able to work out the
gradient of a line which is
Perpendicular to another.
🡪 Perpendicular means ‘intersects
at a right angle… These lines Gradient =
are 3
perpendicular

Gradient = -1/3
🡪 If a line has a gradient of m, the
line perpendicular has gradient -1/m
The lines are perpendicular since their
🡪 Two perpendicular lines have gradients multiply to give -1
gradients that multiply to give -1
 Coordinate Geometry in the (x,y)
plane
Finding the Perpendicular to a Example
line
Find 3
an equation for the line that passes
through (3,-1) and is perpendicular to
You need to be able to work out the the line y = 2x - 4
gradient of a line which is
Perpendicular to another.
🡪 Perpendicular means ‘intersects Gradient =
at a right angle… 2
These lines Gradient of the perpendicular = -
are 1
/2
perpendicular (x1, y1)= (3, -1) m = -1/2

Substitute in
🡪 If a line has a gradient of m, the values
line perpendicular has gradient -1/m
Expand
brackets
🡪 Two perpendicular lines have
gradients that multiply to give -1 Subtract 1