x and y-axis are two important lines that make a graph. A graph consists of a horizontal axis and a vertical axis where data can be represented. A point can be described in a horizontal way or a vertical way, which can be easily understood using a graph. These horizontal and vertical lines or axis in a graph are the x-axis and y-axis respectively. In this mini-lesson, we will learn about the x-axis and y-axis and what is x and y-axis in geometry along with solving a few examples.
| 1. | X and Y-Axis Definition |
| 2. | X and Y-Axis Equation |
| 3. | What Comes First: X-Axis or Y-Axis? |
| 4. | FAQs on X and Y Axis |
X and Y-Axis Definition
Any point on the coordinate plane is well defined by an ordered pair where the ordered pair is written as (x-coordinate,y-coordinate) or (x,y), where x-coordinate represents a point on the x-axis or perpendicular distance from the y-axis and y-coordinate represents a point on the y-axis or perpendicular distance from the x-axis. X and y-axis are the axes used in coordinate systems that form a coordinate plane. The horizontal axis is represented by the x-axis and the vertical axis is represented by the y-axis. The point where the x and y-axis intersect is known as the origin and is used as the reference point for the plane. The x-axis is also known as abscissa or x graph whereas the y-axis is also known as ordinate or y graph. The image below shows the respective representation.
For example: The population of a city from 2015 to 2020 is given in the X and Y graph table as:
| Years | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| People in Millions | 1 | 1.5 | 2 | 2.5 | 3 | 3.5 |
To locate any point on the coordinate plane, we use an ordered pair where the ordered pair is written as (x-coordinate,y-coordinate) or (x, y), where x-coordinate represents a point on the x-axis or perpendicular distance from the y-axis and y-coordinate represents a point on the y-axis or perpendicular distance from the x-axis, therefore it is clear from above that x-axis comes first when writing the ordered pair to locate a point. We can see here that the location of each point on the graph is noted as an ordered pair where the x-axis or x-coordinate leads the y-axis or y-coordinate. Then to represent these points on the x and y chart, using years on the x-axis and the corresponding population on the y-axis as:
X and Y-Axis Equation
Let's consider a linear equation y = 2x+1. Now to graph this equation construct a table having two columns for values of x and y. To draw the x and y-axis coordinate graph of the linear equation, we need to draw the X and Y-axis grid table for at least two points.
| x | y |
|---|---|
| 0 | 1 |
| 1 | 3 |
| 2 | 5 |
Now draw the points on the graph where the values of x lie on x-axis and the corresponding values of y lie on y-axis. Then join the points with a straight line to draw the graph of the equation.
What Comes First: X-Axis or Y-Axis?
To locate any point on the coordinate plane, we use an ordered pair where the ordered pair is written as (x-coordinate,y-coordinate) or (x,y), where x-coordinate represents a point on the x-axis or perpendicular distance from the y-axis and y-coordinate represents a point on the y-axis or perpendicular distance from the x-axis, therefore it is clear from above that x-axis comes first when writing the ordered pair to locate a point. We can see here that the location of each point on the graph is noted as an ordered pair where the x-axis or x-coordinate leads the y-axis or y-coordinate.
Important Notes:
- x-axis is also called abscissa.
- y axis is also called ordinate.
- There are infinite points on the x-axis and y-axis.
- Origin is the intersection point of x-axis and y-axis.
Related Topics
Listed below are a few interesting topics related to x and y axis.
- Introduction to Graphing
- Geometry
- Polar Coordinates
FAQs on X and Y Axis
What are the 4 Quadrants in a Graph?
The four quadrants or x and y-axis quadrants are as follows:
- Quadrant 1: Is the positive side of both x and y axis.
- Quadrant 2: Is the negative side of x axis and positive side of y axis.
- Quadrant 3: Is the negative side of both x and y axis.
- Quadrant 4: Is the negative side of y axis and positive side of x axis.
How Do I Graph an Equation?
To graph an equation, first construct a table having two columns for values of x and y. Then draw the points on the graph where the values of x lie on the x-axis and the corresponding values of y lie on the y-axis. Then join the points to draw the graph of the equation.
Which Point is on the Negative y-axis?
The point which has a negative value of its y-coordinate is on the negative y-axis.
Which is x and y-axis?
The horizontal axis is known as the x-axis and the vertical axis is known as the y-axis.
How Do you Plot a Graph with the x and y-axis?
At first, we draw and label the x and y-axis. Then we plot the coordinates of the function at various values of the x and y-coordinates. Then we connect the coordinates and plot the graph of a function.
What is the Name of the y-axis?
The vertical axis is known as the abscissa-axis.
What is the Name of the x-axis?
The x-axis is known as the ordinate-axis.