Coordinates and Quadrants
In the Cartesian coordinate system, every point can be represented by an ordered pair of coordinates (x, y). The coordinates are used to locate a point on a plane. The plane is divided into four quadrants: I, II, III, and IV.
Understanding Quadrants
The quadrants are numbered in a counterclockwise direction:
Quadrant I
- x is positive (+)
- y is positive (+)
Quadrant II
- x is negative (-)
- y is positive (+)
Quadrant III
- x is negative (-)
- y is negative (-)
Quadrant IV
- x is positive (+)
- y is negative (-)
Determining the Quadrant of a Point
To determine the quadrant of a point, we need to look at the signs of the x and y coordinates.
- If x is positive and y is positive, the point lies in Quadrant I.
- If x is negative and y is positive, the point lies in Quadrant II.
- If x is negative and y is negative, the point lies in Quadrant III.
- If x is positive and y is negative, the point lies in Quadrant IV.
The Point (-3, 0)
Let's determine the quadrant of the point (-3, 0).
- x is negative (-3)
- y is zero (0)
Since x is negative and y is zero, the point (-3, 0) lies on the x-axis. The x-axis is the horizontal axis that divides the plane into the upper and lower halves. All points on the x-axis have a y-coordinate of zero.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the point (-3, 0) lies on the x-axis, but not in any of the four quadrants. It is an important concept to understand when working with coordinates and graphs.