X-coordinate

Definition

The x-coordinate is the horizontal position of a point on a coordinate plane, measured from the origin along the horizontal x-axis. It represents the left-right position of a point and is the first value in an ordered pair that describes the location of a point.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The x-coordinate is the first value in an ordered pair that describes the location of a point on a coordinate plane.
2. The x-axis is the horizontal axis on a coordinate plane, and the x-coordinate represents the left-right position of a point.
3. Positive x-coordinates are to the right of the origin, while negative x-coordinates are to the left of the origin.
4. The x-coordinate is used in conjunction with the y-coordinate to uniquely identify the location of a point on a coordinate plane.
5. The x-coordinate is an essential component in graphing functions, as it represents the independent variable in a function.

Review Questions

• Explain the role of the x-coordinate in the rectangular coordinate system.
  • The x-coordinate is a critical component of the rectangular coordinate system, as it represents the horizontal position of a point on the coordinate plane. The x-coordinate, along with the y-coordinate, allows for the unique identification of the location of a point. Positive x-coordinates are to the right of the origin, while negative x-coordinates are to the left of the origin. The x-coordinate is the first value in an ordered pair, such as (x, y), and is essential for graphing functions, as it represents the independent variable.
• Describe how the x-coordinate is used to plot points on a coordinate plane.
  • To plot a point on a coordinate plane, you need both the x-coordinate and the y-coordinate. The x-coordinate represents the left-right position of the point, measured from the origin along the horizontal x-axis. The y-coordinate represents the up-down position of the point, measured from the origin along the vertical y-axis. By using the x-coordinate and y-coordinate together, you can uniquely identify the location of a point on the coordinate plane. For example, the point (3, 4) has an x-coordinate of 3 and a y-coordinate of 4, placing it 3 units to the right of the origin and 4 units above the origin.
• Analyze the relationship between the x-coordinate and the graph of a function.
  • The x-coordinate is a critical component in graphing functions, as it represents the independent variable. The x-coordinate determines the horizontal position of a point on the graph, while the y-coordinate represents the dependent variable. By plotting points with specific x-coordinates and their corresponding y-values, you can create the graph of a function. The shape and behavior of the graph are directly influenced by the relationship between the x-coordinate and the function's output. Understanding the role of the x-coordinate in graphing functions is essential for analyzing and interpreting the properties of a function, such as its domain, range, and transformations.

Related terms

Coordinate Plane:

A two-dimensional plane with perpendicular x and y axes, used to represent and plot points and graph functions.

Ordered Pair:

A pair of numbers that represent the coordinates of a point on a coordinate plane, written in the form (x, y).

Origin:

The point where the x-axis and y-axis intersect, with coordinates (0, 0), which serves as the starting point for the coordinate plane.