Coordinate Geometry - Identifying Quadrants
In coordinate geometry, we use two coordinate axes (the -axis and -axis) to identify the location of any point.
is the location of a point having location on the -axis and location on the -axis. That is, the first number is the -coordinate, and the second number is the -coordinate.
The perpendicular distance of a point from the -axis is called the -coordinate. Similarly, the perpendicular distance of a point from the -axis is called the -coordinate.
The intersection of the -axis and -axis divides the plane into four quadrants.
On the -axis the positive numbers run to the right, while the negative numbers run to the left. Similarly, on the -axis the positive numbers run upwards, while the negative numbers run down.
The coordinate plane has two axes: the horizontal and vertical axes. These two axes intersect each other at a point called the origin. It can also be defined as the point in the coordinate plane.
Suppose we need to find the quadrant of a point .
- If both and are positive, then the point lies in the first quadrant.
- If is negative and is positive, then the point lies in the second quadrant.
- If both and are negative, then the point lies in the third quadrant.
- If is positive and is negative, then the point lies in the fourth quadrant.
These are often numbered from to and denoted by Roman numerals: I where the signs of the two coordinates are (+,+), II (−,+), III (−,−), and IV (+,−).
Find the quadrant in which the point lies.
As the -coordinate is negative and the -coordinate is positive , the point lies in the second quadrant.