Plotting Points on a Grid

Core concept

For example, the point (3,2) is located 3 units to the right and 2 units up from the origin, while (-2,4) is 2 units left and 4 units up. This coordinate system, called the Cartesian plane (named after mathematician René Descartes), is fundamental not just to mathematics but to fields like computer graphics, mapping, and navigation, where precise location on a two-dimensional surface must be communicated clearly and unambiguously.