In Exercises 1-12, plot the given point in a rectangular coordinate system. (- 4, 0)

Key Concepts

Rectangular Coordinate System

A rectangular coordinate system, also known as the Cartesian coordinate system, consists of two perpendicular axes: the x-axis (horizontal) and the y-axis (vertical). Each point in this system is defined by an ordered pair (x, y), where 'x' indicates the horizontal position and 'y' indicates the vertical position. This system allows for precise plotting of points and is fundamental in algebra and geometry.

Ordered Pairs

An ordered pair is a pair of numbers used to represent a point in a coordinate system, written in the form (x, y). The first number, 'x', corresponds to the horizontal position on the x-axis, while the second number, 'y', corresponds to the vertical position on the y-axis. For example, the point (-4, 0) indicates a position 4 units to the left of the origin along the x-axis and 0 units up or down along the y-axis.

Plotting Points

Plotting points involves marking a specific location on a coordinate grid based on its ordered pair. To plot the point (-4, 0), you start at the origin (0, 0), move 4 units to the left along the x-axis, and remain at 0 on the y-axis. This process visually represents the relationship between the x and y coordinates, making it easier to analyze and interpret data in algebra.