Lesson 2:

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.
“Let’s See Quezon City!”

Identify the following pictures OF

THE tourist attractions or landmarks
in the Quezon City
LA MESA ECO PARK
QUEZON CITY CIRCLE
SM MEGA MALL
TRINOMA MALL
SMART ARANETA COLISEUM
EDSA SHRINE
Definitions
A graph shows the relationship between two
variables in an equation.
The Cartesian (rectangular) coordinate system is
a grid system used to draw graphs. It is named
after its developer, René Descartes (1596-1650).
 “What are some practical uses of plotting points on a
coordinate plane?”

a. Statisticians use graphed trend lines to show

important information such as how a business is
performing and how profit can be maximized.

b. Physicists and economists use coordinate planes to

show the connection between two factors.

c. Geographers used coordinate planes in mapping.

 “What are some practical uses of plotting points on a
coordinate plane?”

d. In archaeology and lab biology, coordinate planes

are used in sectioning.

e. Telephone companies charge long distance

calls to their subscribers through making use of
the phone listing coordinates which help them
easily calculate the distance between two cities.
Definitions
y

II I
x

III IV

The two intersecting axis form four quadrants,

numbered I through IV.
The horizontal axis is called the x-axis.
The vertical axis is called the y-axis.
 Use Roman numerals to identify quadrants.

Negative x; positive y Positive x; positive y

Quadrant II Quadrant I
(−, +) (+, +)

Quadrant III Quadrant IV

(−, −) (+, −)

Negative x; negative y Positive x; negative y

Definitions
y

Origin
x

(0, 0)

The point of intersection of the two axes is called

the origin.
The coordinates, or the value of the x and the
value of the y determines the point. This is also
called an ordered pair.
Plotting Points

Starting at the
origin, move 3
places to the right.

Plot the point (3, -4).

The x-coordinate is 3 and the y-coordinate is –4.
Plotting Points

Then move
4 places
Plot the point (3, -4). down.

The x-coordinate is 3 and the y-coordinate is –4.

Plotting Points

(3, -4)

Plot the point (3, -4).

The x-coordinate is 3 and the y-coordinate is –4.
“Illustrating the Rectangular Coordinate Plane”:

a. Who invented the coordinate plane?

b. What is the term for the horizontal line?
c. What is the term for the vertical line?
d. What is the intersection of these two lines?
e. What is the term used for each of the four regions
formed through the intersection of the two
perpendicular number lines?
f. What are used in naming these regions?
g. What is the direction of naming these regions?
h. How many points can be plotted on the
coordinate plane?
 x-axis

Quadrant II Quadrant I
y-axis

positive

negative

ordered pair
(x,y)
Quadrant III Quadrant IV
origin
(0, 0)
quadrants
Use Roman numerals to identify quadrants.
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- 24

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- 25

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- 26

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- 27

 Performance Task

Create a profile of a point on the coordinate plane

given this template:
Write an ordered pair that corresponds to a point
found in the 4 quadrants. ______
If you connect the first point from the second point
given, connect the second point to the third point
given, and connect the third point to the first point, is
there a figure formed? ________
What is the figure formed?