Table of contents

0. Review of Algebra4h 16m
1. Equations & Inequalities3h 18m
2. Graphs of Equations43m
3. Functions2h 17m
4. Polynomial Functions1h 44m
5. Rational Functions1h 23m
6. Exponential & Logarithmic Functions2h 28m
7. Systems of Equations & Matrices4h 6m
8. Conic Sections2h 23m
9. Sequences, Series, & Induction1h 19m
10. Combinatorics & Probability1h 45m

2. Graphs of Equations

Graphs and Coordinates

College Algebra

2. Graphs of Equations

Graphs and Coordinates

1:17 minutes

Problem 12

Textbook Question

In Exercises 1-12, plot the given point in a rectangular coordinate system. (- 5/2, 3/2)

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

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' represents the horizontal position and 'y' represents the vertical position. This system allows for the precise plotting of points and the visualization of geometric shapes.

Ordered Pair

An ordered pair is a pair of numbers used to represent a point in a coordinate system. The first number indicates the position along the x-axis, while the second number indicates the position along the y-axis. For example, the ordered pair (-5/2, 3/2) specifies a point located 2.5 units to the left of the origin and 1.5 units above it, providing a clear method for locating points in a two-dimensional space.

Plotting Points

Plotting points involves marking a point on a coordinate grid based on its ordered pair. To plot the point (-5/2, 3/2), one would move left from the origin along the x-axis to -2.5 and then move up to 1.5 on the y-axis. This process is essential for visualizing data, understanding relationships between variables, and solving geometric problems in algebra.