What is Coordinate Graphing?
When it comes to coordinate geometry, it deals with graphing and analyzing of points, coordinates, lines, and areas on a simple coordinate plane.
To understand the function of coordinate graphing, let's take a look at the definition of the coordinate graph. It is a set of two number lines, known as axes, that run perpendicular to each other. The horizontal line on the graph is called the x-axis whereas the vertical line on the graph is known as the y-axis. The common point at which the two axes meet or intersect is called the point of origin and is equals to zero. It is also known as the point of intersection.
The value of the x-coordinate of a point tells you how far the point is on the horizontal x-axis, and the y-coordinate value of the point tells you how far the point is on the vertical y-axis.
How are Coordinate Graphs Used Every Day?
A coordinate system is a very different way of describing space, and one of the most commonly used is the cartesian coordinate system. A cartesian coordinate system lies on two axes: the x-axis and the y-axis.
What most students and adults don't realize is that a cartesian coordinate system has multiple applications in the real-world as well. For example, if you are having trouble deciding where to put the furniture in the room, you can always try and draw a 2-D grid representing the room and taking the appropriate amount of measurement.
The process is easier as you have the liberty to make any direction x-axis and y-axis. Any point on the grid can be the starting point, i.e., the origin (0,0).
Our smartphone screens also use the cartesian coordinate plane for tracking where the touch is active on the screen. The same approach is used in the image or the PDF files to specify the locations.