Chapter 1, Problem 1FCCE

How do you determine the coordinates of a point in the plane?

To determine

The procedure to obtain the coordinates of a point in the plane.

Answer to Problem 1FCCE

Solution:

Draw the straight line through the point perpendicular to the $x$-axis (and $y$-axis) and read the number on the axis, to determine the $x$ -coordinate ( and $y$ -coordinate).

Explanation of Solution

Coordinate system is a method which is used to locate the point numerically on a plane.

Each point of the plane is identified by a pair of numbers $\left(x,y\right)$.

To read the coordinates $\left(x,y\right)$ draw the straight line perpendicular through the x-axis and start from the origin, move x units in the right if x is positive otherwise move left if x is negative, and then move y units in the up if y is positive otherwise move down if y is negative.

For example, to obtain the coordinates $\left(3,4\right)$, move $3$ steps to the right on the x-axis and $4$ steps upwards on the y-axis.

Thus, draw the straight line through the point perpendicular to the x-axis (y-axis) and read the number on the axis, to determine the x-coordinate (y-coordinate).