11.2: Use the Rectangular Coordinate System
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- Plot points on a rectangular coordinate system
- Identify points on a graph
- Verify solutions to an equation in two variables
- Complete a table of solutions to a linear equation
- Find solutions to linear equations in two variables
Be Prepared 11.1
Before you get started, take this readiness quiz.
Evaluate: when
If you missed this problem, review Example 3.23.
Be Prepared 11.2
Evaluate: when
If you missed this problem, review Example 3.56.
Be Prepared 11.3
Solve for
If you missed this problem, review Example 8.20.
Plot Points on a Rectangular Coordinate System
Many maps, such as the Campus Map shown in Figure 11.2, use a grid system to identify locations. Do you see the numbers and across the top and bottom of the map and the letters A, B, C, and D along the sides? Every location on the map can be identified by a number and a letter.
For example, the Student Center is in section 2B. It is located in the grid section above the number and next to the letter B. In which grid section is the Stadium? The Stadium is in section 4D.
Example 11.1
Use the map in Figure 11.2.
- ⓐ Find the grid section of the Residence Halls.
- ⓑ What is located in grid section 4C?
- Answer
- ⓐ Read the number below the Residence Halls, and the letter to the side, A. So the Residence Halls are in grid section 4A.
- ⓑ Find across the bottom of the map and C along the side. Look below the and next to the C. Tiger Field is in grid section 4C.
Try It 11.1
Use the map in Figure 11.2.
- ⓐ Find the grid section of Taylor Hall.
- ⓑ What is located in section 3B?
Try It 11.2
Use the map in Figure 11.2.
- ⓐ Find the grid section of the Parking Garage.
- ⓑ What is located in section 2C?
Just as maps use a grid system to identify locations, a grid system is used in algebra to show a relationship between two variables in a rectangular coordinate system. To create a rectangular coordinate system, start with a horizontal number line. Show both positive and negative numbers as you did before, using a convenient scale unit. This horizontal number line is called the x-axis.
Now, make a vertical number line passing through the
Vertical grid lines pass through the integers marked on the Horizontal grid lines pass through the integers marked on the The resulting grid is the rectangular coordinate system.
The rectangular coordinate system is also called the plane, the coordinate plane, or the Cartesian coordinate system (since it was developed by a mathematician named René Descartes.)
The
In the rectangular coordinate system, every point is represented by an ordered pair. The first number in the ordered pair is the x-coordinate of the point, and the second number is the y-coordinate of the point.
Ordered Pair
An ordered pair, gives the coordinates of a point in a rectangular coordinate system.
So how do the coordinates of a point help you locate a point on the plane?
Let’s try locating the point . In this ordered pair, the -coordinate is and the -coordinate is .
We start by locating the
Now we locate the
Example 11.2
Plot and in the same rectangular coordinate system.
- Answer
The coordinate values are the same for both points, but the and values are reversed. Let’s begin with point The is so find on the and sketch a vertical line through The is so we find on the and sketch a horizontal line through Where the two lines meet, we plot the point
To plot the point we start by locating on the and sketch a vertical line through Then we find on the and sketch a horizontal line through Where the two lines meet, we plot the point
Notice that the order of the coordinates does matter, so, is not the same point as
Try It 11.3
Plot each point on the same rectangular coordinate system:
Try It 11.4
Plot each point on the same rectangular coordinate system:
Example 11.3
Plot each point in the rectangular coordinate system and identify the quadrant in which the point is located:
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- Answer
The first number of the coordinate pair is the and the second number is the
ⓐ Since the point is in Quadrant II.
ⓑ Since the point is in Quadrant III.
ⓒ Since the point is in Quadrant lV.
ⓓ Since the point is in Quadrant I. It may be helpful to write as the mixed number, or decimal, Then we know that the point is halfway between and on the
Try It 11.5
Plot each point on a rectangular coordinate system and identify the quadrant in which the point is located.
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Try It 11.6
Plot each point on a rectangular coordinate system and identify the quadrant in which the point is located.
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How do the signs affect the location of the points?
Example 11.4
Plot each point:
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- Answer
As we locate the and the we must be careful with the signs.
Try It 11.7
Plot each point:
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Try It 11.8
Plot each point:
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You may have noticed some patterns as you graphed the points in the two previous examples.
For each point in Quadrant IV, what do you notice about the signs of the coordinates?
What about the signs of the coordinates of the points in the third quadrant? The second quadrant? The first quadrant?
Can you tell just by looking at the coordinates in which quadrant the point (−2, 5) is located? In which quadrant is (2, −5) located?
What if one coordinate is zero? Where is the point located? Where is the point located? The point is on the y-axis and the point is on the x-axis.
Points on the Axes
Points with a equal to are on the and have coordinates
Points with an equal to are on the and have coordinates
What is the ordered pair of the point where the axes cross? At that point both coordinates are zero, so its ordered pair is . The point has a special name. It is called the origin.
The Origin
Example 11.5
Plot each point on a coordinate grid:
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- Answer
- ⓐ Since the point whose coordinates are is on the
- ⓑ Since the point whose coordinates are is on the
- ⓒ Since the point whose coordinates are is on the
- ⓓ Since and the point whose coordinates are is the origin.
- ⓔ Since the point whose coordinates are is on the
Try It 11.9
Plot each point on a coordinate grid:
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Try It 11.10
Plot each point on a coordinate grid:
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Identify Points on a Graph
In algebra, being able to identify the coordinates of a point shown on a graph is just as important as being able to plot points. To identify the x-coordinate of a point on a graph, read the number on the x-axis directly above or below the point. To identify the y-coordinate of a point, read the number on the y-axis directly to the left or right of the point. Remember, to write the ordered pair using the correct order
Example 11.6
Name the ordered pair of each point shown:
- Answer
Point A is above on the so the of the point is The point is to the left of on the so the of the point is The coordinates of the point are
Point B is below on the so the of the point is The point is to the left of on the so the of the point is The coordinates of the point are
Point C is above on the so the of the point is The point is to the right of on the so the of the point is The coordinates of the point are
Point D is below on the so the of the point is The point is to the right of on the so the of the point is The coordinates of the point are
Try It 11.11
Name the ordered pair of each point shown:
Try It 11.12
Name the ordered pair of each point shown:
Example 11.7
Name the ordered pair of each point shown:
- Answer
Point A is on the x-axis at . The coordinates of point A are . Point B is on the y-axis at The coordinates of point B are . Point C is on the x-axis at . The coordinates of point C are . Point D is on the y-axis at . The coordinates of point D are .
Try It 11.13
Name the ordered pair of each point shown:
Try It 11.14
Name the ordered pair of each point shown:
Verify Solutions to an Equation in Two Variables
All the equations we solved so far have been equations with one variable. In almost every case, when we solved the equation we got exactly one solution. The process of solving an equation ended with a statement such as Then we checked the solution by substituting back into the equation.
Here’s an example of a linear equation in one variable, and its one solution.
But equations can have more than one variable. Equations with two variables can be written in the general form An equation of this form is called a linear equation in two variables.
Linear Equation
An equation of the form where are not both zero, is called a linear equation in two variables.
Notice that the word “line” is in linear.
Here is an example of a linear equation in two variables, and
Is a linear equation? It does not appear to be in the form But we could rewrite it in this form.
Add to both sides. | |
Simplify. | |
Use the Commutative Property to put it in |
By rewriting as we can see that it is a linear equation in two variables because it can be written in the form
Linear equations in two variables have infinitely many solutions. For every number that is substituted for there is a corresponding value. This pair of values is a solution to the linear equation and is represented by the ordered pair When we substitute these values of and into the equation, the result is a true statement because the value on the left side is equal to the value on the right side.
Solution to a Linear Equation in Two Variables
An ordered pair is a solution to the linear equation if the equation is a true statement when the and of the ordered pair are substituted into the equation.
Example 11.8
Determine which ordered pairs are solutions of the equation
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- Answer
Substitute the from each ordered pair into the equation and determine if the result is a true statement.
ⓐ ⓑ ⓒ is a solution. is not a solution. is a solution.
Try It 11.15
Determine which ordered pairs are solutions to the given equation:
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Try It 11.16
Determine which ordered pairs are solutions to the given equation:
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Example 11.9
Determine which ordered pairs are solutions of the equation.
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- Answer
Substitute the and from each ordered pair into the equation and determine if it results in a true statement.
ⓐ ⓑ ⓒ is a solution. is a solution. is not a solution.
Try It 11.17
Determine which ordered pairs are solutions of the given equation:
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Try It 11.18
Determine which ordered pairs are solutions of the given equation:
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Complete a Table of Solutions to a Linear Equation
In the previous examples, we substituted the of a given ordered pair to determine whether or not it was a solution to a linear equation. But how do we find the ordered pairs if they are not given? One way is to choose a value for and then solve the equation for Or, choose a value for and then solve for
We’ll start by looking at the solutions to the equation
To find a third solution, we’ll let and solve for
Multiply. | |
Simplify. |
The ordered pair is a solution to . We will add it to the table.
We can find more solutions to the equation by substituting any value of or any value of and solving the resulting equation to get another ordered pair that is a solution. There are an infinite number of solutions for this equation.
Example 11.10
Complete the table to find three solutions to the equation
- Answer
Substitute and into
The results are summarized in the table.
Try It 11.19
Complete the table to find three solutions to the equation:
Try It 11.20
Complete the table to find three solutions to the equation:
Example 11.11
Complete the table to find three solutions to the equation
- Answer
The results are summarized in the table.
Try It 11.21
Complete the table to find three solutions to the equation:
Try It 11.22
Complete the table to find three solutions to the equation:
Find Solutions to Linear Equations in Two Variables
To find a solution to a linear equation, we can choose any number we want to substitute into the equation for either or We could choose or any other value we want. But it’s a good idea to choose a number that’s easy to work with. We’ll usually choose as one of our values.
Example 11.12
Find a solution to the equation
- Answer
Step 1: Choose any value for one of the variables in the equation. We can substitute any value we want for or any value for
Let's pick
What is the value of if ?Step 2: Substitute that value into the equation.
Solve for the other variable.
Substitute for
Simplify.
Divide both sides by 2.Step 3: Write the solution as an ordered pair. So, when This solution is represented by the ordered pair Step 4: Check.
Is the result a true equation?
Yes!
Try It 11.23
Find a solution to the equation:
Try It 11.24
Find a solution to the equation:
We said that linear equations in two variables have infinitely many solutions, and we’ve just found one of them. Let’s find some other solutions to the equation
Example 11.13
Find three more solutions to the equation
- Answer
To find solutions to choose a value for or Remember, we can choose any value we want for or Here we chose for and and for
Substitute it into the equation. Simplify.
Solve.Write the ordered pair. Check your answers.
So and are all solutions to the equation In the previous example, we found that is a solution, too. We can list these solutions in a table.
Try It 11.25
Find three solutions to the equation:
Try It 11.26
Find three solutions to the equation:
Let’s find some solutions to another equation now.
Example 11.14
Find three solutions to the equation
- Answer
Choose a value for or Substitute it into the equation. Solve. Write the ordered pair. So and are three solutions to the equation
Remember, there are an infinite number of solutions to each linear equation. Any point you find is a solution if it makes the equation true.
Try It 11.27
Find three solutions to the equation:
Try It 11.28
Find three solutions to the equation:
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Section 11.1 Exercises
Practice Makes Perfect
Plot Points on a Rectangular Coordinate System
In the following exercises, plot each point on a coordinate grid.
In the following exercises, plot each point on a coordinate grid and identify the quadrant in which the point is located.
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In the following exercises, plot each point on a coordinate grid.
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Identify Points on a Graph
In the following exercises, name the ordered pair of each point shown.
Verify Solutions to an Equation in Two Variables
In the following exercises, determine which ordered pairs are solutions to the given equation.
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Find Solutions to Linear Equations in Two Variables
In the following exercises, complete the table to find solutions to each linear equation.
Everyday Math
Weight of a baby Mackenzie recorded her baby’s weight every two months. The baby’s age, in months, and weight, in pounds, are listed in the table, and shown as an ordered pair in the third column.
ⓐ Plot the points on a coordinate grid.
ⓑ Why is only Quadrant I needed?
Weight of a child Latresha recorded her son’s height and weight every year. His height, in inches, and weight, in pounds, are listed in the table, and shown as an ordered pair in the third column.
ⓐ Plot the points on a coordinate grid.
ⓑ Why is only Quadrant I needed?
Writing Exercises
Have you ever used a map with a rectangular coordinate system? Describe the map and how you used it.
How do you determine if an ordered pair is a solution to a given equation?
Self Check
ⓐ After completing the exercises, use this checklist to evaluate your mastery of the objectives of this section.
ⓑ If most of your checks were:
…confidently. Congratulations! You have achieved the objectives in this section. Reflect on the study skills you used so that you can continue to use them. What did you do to become confident of your ability to do these things? Be specific.
…with some help. This must be addressed quickly because topics you do not master become potholes in your road to success. In math, every topic builds upon previous work. It is important to make sure you have a strong foundation before you move on. Whom can you ask for help? Your fellow classmates and instructor are good resources. Is there a place on campus where math tutors are available? Can your study skills be improved?
…no—I don’t get it! This is a warning sign and you must not ignore it. You should get help right away or you will quickly be overwhelmed. See your instructor as soon as you can to discuss your situation. Together you can come up with a plan to get you the help you need.