Functions

=**Cartesian Planes**=

A Cartesian Plane is an endless two-dimensional plane(graph) with a set of axis to plot and graph points

The two axis are called x & y axis. X axis is horizontal, Y axis vertical. It is used to determine each point uniquely in a plane through two numbers called the coordinates.

All points on the Cartesian plane have a set of coordinates. E.g.: 5,10. The first number (5) tells us how far right or left (or just on the x-axis) is the point plotte d. The second number (10) tells us how far down or up is  the point plotted (y-axis)



= = =** Slopes **= Slopes are often used to measure the steepness, incline, gradient or grade of a straight line. The higher slope value in our case "m" (below) the steeper the incline becomes. We can also define slope as the ratio of the "rise" divided by the "run" between two points on a line - the ratio of the altitude change to the horizontal distance between any two points on the line.

Here is an example of a slope equation:

= = Places where the slope line meet the x&y axis are called X and Y intercepts. The //x//-intercepts    are where the graph crosses the //x//-axis, and the //y//-intercepts  are where   the graph crosses the //y//-axis.

=FAQ's= (Fequently Asked Questions) // 1.) //// Has each of the four “regions” got a name? // Yes. They are called quadrants.

// 2.) //// Can they be put and named in order? // They are named in roman system. (eg quadrant I, quadrant II etc.) They are labelled counter-clockwise starting from the top left quadrant (“northeast”) // 3.)  //// What are Cartesian planes made for? // Often two or three dimensions of space can be represented by using Cartesian coordinates. However they can be also used to represent a range of other, different quantities such as mass, force, time etc. Cartesian planes also help to visualise four- and higher dimensional spaces, although it’s hard to imagine. In other words, certain calculations that include many variables can be done.

// 4.) //// Do equations that use the Cartesian coordinate system have a specific name? // Yes they’re called Cartesian equations.

// 5.) //// Doesn’t the point where both of the axis meet have a name?  // Yes, it does, it’s called the origin, normally labelled “O”

// 6.) //// What is the gradient? // It tells us the steepness of a line, also called the incline.