Definition
A coordinate plane is a flat surface formed by two number lines that cross at right angles. The horizontal line is the x-axis and the vertical line is the y-axis.
Think of a coordinate plane as a treasure map with a grid. The two numbers in a pair tell you how far to walk east and then how far north to find the treasure.
Examples
- The point where the axes cross is the origin (0, 0).
- The point (3, 2) is 3 units right and 2 units up from the origin.
- Maps and games often use coordinate planes to show locations.