Cartesian coordinate system

Cartesian Coordinate System

The Cartesian coordinate system (pronunciation: /kɑːrˈtiːʒən/ or /kɑːrˈtiːʃən/) is a coordinate system that specifies each point uniquely in a plane by a set of numerical coordinates, which are the signed distances to the point from two fixed perpendicular oriented lines, measured in the same unit of length.

Etymology

The Cartesian coordinate system is named after René Descartes (/ˈdeɪˌkɑːrt/; French: [ʁəne dekaʁt]; Latinized: Renatus Cartesius; adjectival form: Cartesian /kɑːrˈtiːʒən, -iən/), the French mathematician and philosopher who introduced this system in the 17th century.

Description

Each reference line is called a coordinate axis or just axis (plural axes) of the system, and the point where they meet is its origin, at ordered pair (0, 0). The coordinates can also be defined as the positions of the perpendicular projections of the point onto the two axes, expressed as signed distances from the origin.

Related Terms

• Coordinate system
• René Descartes
• Coordinate axis
• Origin

See Also

• Polar coordinate system
• Cylindrical coordinate system
• Spherical coordinate system

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Cartesian coordinate system
• Wikipedia's article - Cartesian coordinate system

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