Scribd
Upload
14 views2 pages

Cartesian Plane

The Cartesian plane allows points, lines, curves and geometric figures to be represented graphically. It was developed by René Descartes in the 17th century and is used widely in many fields. The plane is formed by the perpendicular x and y axes intersecting at the origin. Points are identified by ordered pairs (x,y) where x is the horizontal coordinate and y is the vertical. The Cartesian plane is used to represent points, graph functions, analytical geometry, and solve problems involving distances, areas and measurements by providing a visual representation. It is a powerful mathematical tool with diverse applications across many areas of knowledge.

Uploaded by

pedrofrodri2012
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
14 views2 pages

Cartesian Plane

The Cartesian plane allows points, lines, curves and geometric figures to be represented graphically. It was developed by René Descartes in the 17th century and is used widely in many fields. The plane is formed by the perpendicular x and y axes intersecting at the origin. Points are identified by ordered pairs (x,y) where x is the horizontal coordinate and y is the vertical. The Cartesian plane is used to represent points, graph functions, analytical geometry, and solve problems involving distances, areas and measurements by providing a visual representation. It is a powerful mathematical tool with diverse applications across many areas of knowledge.

Uploaded by

pedrofrodri2012
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

Cartesian Plane: Concept and Utilization

Introduction:
The Cartesian plane is a mathematical tool that allows for the graphical representation of points,
lines, curves, and geometric figures, as well as establishing relationships between them. This
coordinate system was developed by the mathematician René Descartes in the 17th century and
is widely used in various fields of knowledge, such as mathematics, physics, engineering,
economics, and social sciences.

Definition:
The Cartesian plane is formed by two perpendicular axes, the x-axis (horizontal) and the y-axis
(vertical), which intersect at a point called the origin. Each point on the plane is identified by an
ordered pair of numbers, (x, y), where x represents the horizontal coordinate and y represents
the vertical coordinate. The x-axis is known as the axis of abscissas, while the y-axis is called
the axis of ordinates.

Structure and Notation:


The x-axis is drawn from left to right, and the y-axis is drawn from bottom to top, so that the
origin is at the point of intersection. The coordinates are measured in specific units, which can
be determined according to the context of the problem or application.

Utilization:

Representation of Points: In the Cartesian plane, points are represented by their location in
relation to the x and y axes. For example, the point A (2,1) has coordinates x=2 and y=1,
indicating that it is located two units to the right of the origin and three units above.
Graphs of Functions: The Cartesian plane is frequently used to plot graphs of mathematical
functions. Each point on the graph represents an ordered pair (x, y), where x is the value of the
independent variable and y is the value of the dependent variable. This allows for the
visualization and analysis of the behavior of functions and their relationships.

Analytical Geometry: The Cartesian plane is essential for analytical geometry, which
establishes a connection between algebra and geometry. With it, it is possible to describe and
analyze geometric figures, such as lines, circles, and ellipses, through equations and coordinate
systems.

Problem Solving: The Cartesian plane is also used to solve problems involving distances, areas,
measurements, trajectories, among others. It provides a visual representation that facilitates the
understanding and solution of various situations.

Conclusion:
The Cartesian plane is a powerful mathematical tool that allows for the visual and precise
representation, analysis, and solution of problems. Its utilization is broad and diverse, ranging
from the representation of points to the resolution of complex problems in various fields of
knowledge. Understanding the concepts and structure of the Cartesian plane is fundamental for
the development of mathematical skills and for the comprehension of many phenomena present
in our world.

You might also like