224 The Cartesian Plane
–6 –4 –2 246
2
4
6
–2
–4
–6
Negative
independent-
variable
axis
Positive
dependent-
variable
axis
Positive
independent-
variable
axis
Negative
dependent-
variable
axis
Figure 14-1 The Cartesian plane consists of two
real-number lines intersecting at a right
angle, forming axes for the variables.
–6 –4 –2 246
2
4
6
–2
–4
–6
x
y
(–4,5)
(4,3)
(–5,–3)
(1,–6)
Ordered pairs
are of
the form (x,y)
Origin = (0,0)
Figure 14-2 Five ordered pairs plotted as points on the
Cartesian plane. The dashed lines are for
axis location reference only.