Question

explain how to plot a point in the rectangular coordinate system. give an example with your explanation.
to plot the point (a,b) in the rectangular coordinate system, if a is positive, go |a| units
from zero along the
and if a is negative, go |a| units
from zero along the
then, if
b is positive, go |b| units
parallel to the
and if b is negative, go |b| units
parallel to the
as an example, the point
is plotted on the graph to the right.
(type an ordered pair)

Explanation:

Step1: Determine direction along x - axis

If \(a\) is positive, go \(|a|\) units to the right from zero along the \(x -\)axis. If \(a\) is negative, go \(|a|\) units to the left from zero along the \(x -\)axis.

Step2: Determine direction along y - axis

If \(b\) is positive, go \(|b|\) units up parallel to the \(y -\)axis. If \(b\) is negative, go \(|b|\) units down parallel to the \(y -\)axis.

Step3: Choose an example

Let's take the point \((3,2)\). For \(a = 3>0\), we go \(3\) units to the right along the \(x -\)axis. For \(b = 2>0\), we go \(2\) units up parallel to the \(y -\)axis.

Answer:

To plot the point \((a,b)\) in the rectangular coordinate system:

• If \(a\) is positive, go \(|a|\) units to the right from zero along the \(x -\)axis; if \(a\) is negative, go \(|a|\) units to the left from zero along the \(x -\)axis.
• If \(b\) is positive, go \(|b|\) units up parallel to the \(y -\)axis; if \(b\) is negative, go \(|b|\) units down parallel to the \(y -\)axis.

An example: the point \((3,2)\) is plotted by going \(3\) units right along the \(x -\)axis and \(2\) units up along the \(y -\)axis.