I.

Learning objectives:
1. Illustrate the Rectangular Coordinate System and its uses; and
2. Plot positions on the coordinate plane using the coordinate axes.

Learning Competencies:
1. illustrates the rectangular coordinate system and its uses.
2. illustrates linear equations in two variables

II. Lesson Proper

COORDINATE SYSTEM

A system for graphing number pairs is called rectangular

coordinate system, or the Cartesian coordinate system. It is named after René Descartes (1596 – 1650), who
is known as the “Father of Modern Mathematics.
“Cartesian is a result of René Descartes’ experience of mapping a fly on the ceiling of his bedroom as he lay
sick in bed. Real-life activities involving use of this system include map-making and mapping the locations of
objects.
The Cartesian plane is composed of two perpendicular number lines that meet at the point of origin (0, 0) and
divide the plane into four regions called quadrants which is marked on this graph with Roman numerals.
The Cartesian plane is made up of two number lines:
1. The horizontal number line is the x- axis.
2. The vertical number line is the y- axis.

x- coordinate or abscissa
y- coordinate or ordinate
Each point in the coordinate system is
(−,+) (+,+) defined by an ordered pair of the form (x,
y), where x and y∈ ℜ .

The first coordinate of a point is called the x-

coordinate or abscissa and the second coordinate
is called the y-coordinate or ordinate. We call (x,
y) an ordered pair because it is different from (y,
x).

(,) ( , )

The signs of the first and second coordinates of a point vary in the four quadrants as indicated below.
Quadrant I x > 0, or x is positive y > 0, or y is positive or (+, +);
Quadrant II x < 0, or x is negative y > 0, or y is positive or (−, +);
Quadrant III x < 0, or x is negative y < 0, or y is negative or (−, −);
Quadrant IV x > 0, or x is positive y < 0, or y is negative or (+, −).
- There are also points which lie in the x- and y-axes. The points which lie in the x-axis have coordinates
(x, 0) and the points which lie in the y-axis have coordinates (0, y), where x and y are real numbers.

Plotting a point
- Every point in the coordinate plane can be describes by an ordered pair (x, y) of values. The first number
in the pair is the x-coordinate or abscissa; it tells the distance of the point from the origin measured
along the x-axis.
- The second number in the pair P is the y-coordinate, or ordinate; it tells the distance of the point from
the origin measured along the y-axis. The ordered pair that represents a point is called the coordinate of
the point.
x−coordinate (3 , -2)
y−coordinate
or abscissa or ordinate
Note on the use of parenthesis:
(3,-2) represents a point on the coordinate plane whereas 3(-2) denotes multiplication.

 EXAMPLE 1:  Plot the ordered pairs and name the quadrant or axis in which the point lies.
A (2 , 3) B (-1 , 2) C (-3 , -4) D (2 , 0) and E (0 ,5).

 Remember that each ordered pair associate with only one point on the graph. Just line up the x value
and then the y value to get your location.

A(2 , 3)lies ∈quadrant I .

B(−1 , 2)lies∈quadrant II .

C (−3 ,−4 ) lies ∈quadrant III .

D(2 , 0)lies onthe x−axis .

E( 0 ,5)lies on the y −axis .

For a better understanding:

→ Plot the Point (2 , 4)

(2 , 4)
Step I: To locate a point (2 , 4), using the first
number (x-coordinate) move 2 units to the right of
the origin (which is 0) but don’t plot it yet.

Step II: Then using the second number (y-

coordinate) move 4 units up where you ended in
the x-coordinate.

Step III: Place your point beside the plotted point.

 EXAMPLE 2: Find the x- and y- coordinates of the following labeled points.

CE (0, 5)
F B
E  A(2,3)
B( 1, 2) 
A
 D(2, 0)
D

Remember that each ordered pair associate with only one point on the graph. Just line up the  x value and then
the y value to get your ordered pair.
C (3,  4) 
 Since point A corresponds to 2 on the x-axis and -3 on the y-axis, then A ’ s ordered pair is(2 ,−3).
 Since point B corresponds to 3 on the x-axis and 2 on the y-axis, then B ’ s ordered pair is(3 , 2).
 Since point C corresponds to -2 on the x-axis and 3 on the y-axis, thenC ’ s ordered pair is(−2 ,3).
 Since point D corresponds to -3 on the x-axis and - 4 on the y-axis, then D ’ s ordered pair is(−3 ,−4).
 Since point E corresponds to -3 on the x-axis and 0 on the y-axis, then E ’ s ordered pair is(−3 , 0) .
 Since point F corresponds to 0 on the  x-axis and 2 on the y-axis, then F ’ s ordered pair is(0 ,2) .

LINEAR EQUATION IN TWO VARIABLES

 A linear equation in two variables is an equation that can be written in the form:
Ax + By + C = 0; where a, b, and c are real numbers, but a and b cannot both be zero.
 The graph formed by this kind of equation is a line. The standard form of a linear equation in two
variables is given by Ax + By = C.

Note that the standard form has x and y terms together on one side, and the constant is isolated on the other side.
The exponent of the x and y variable should be one, and the equation has no xy term.

Example 1: Identify the following if it is a linear equation. If yes, write it in standard form.
A. x +3 y=2
 it is a linear equation because the highest degree (exponent) is 1, it is already in standard form because the
constant is isolated on the other side.
B. 3 y−4 x+ 6=0
 It is a linear equation because the highest degree/exponent is 1. The standard form is 4x - 3y = 6
C. x 2+ 5 x + 4
 It is not a linear equation because the highest degree is 2.
D. x=5
 It is a linear equation of the form x + 0y = 5.
E. y=−2
 It is a linear equation of the form 0x + y = -2.

NOTE: Letters D is an examples of a special case of linear equation where in A or B is equal to zero. If A is
equal to zero, then the equation has no x term. Similarly, if B = 0, then the equation has no y term.

GRAPHING A LINEAR EQUATION USING A TABLE OF VALUES

There are a number of ways to graph a line. It can be done using a table of values for x and y, by the intercept
method, or by the slope-intercept form.

Steps in graphing a linear equation using table of values:

1. Find at least two ordered pairs that satisfy the equation.
2. Plot the points.
3. Draw a line through the points.

 EXAMPLE #1: Graph y=3 x−1 using a table of values.

Step I: Create a table of values for the equation. Use x to solve for the value of x y
y. −2
- You may use any different values, but your graph will be the same no matter −1
what values you use. 0
(NOTE: But it is better to use a lower number for an easier plotting) 1
2
Step II: Substitute the values of x in the given equation. ( y=3 x – 1)

For x=−2 For x=−1 For x=0 For x=1 For x=2
y=3 x – 1 y=3 x – 1 y=3 x – 1 y=3 x – 1 y=3 x – 1
y=3 (−2) – 1 y=3 (−1) – 1 y=3 (0)– 1 y=3 (1) – 1 y=3 (2) – 1
y=−6 – 1 y=−3 – 1 y=0 – 1 y=3 – 1 y=6 – 1
y=−7 y=−4 y=−1 y=2 y=5
(−2 ,−7) (−1 ,−4) (0 ,−1) (1 , 2) (2 , 5)

Step III: Step IV: Step V:

Now, we have a We can now plot the Connect the points using a
complete values. ordered pairs onto the grid. straight line, and done!

EXAMPLE #2:
Graph 2 x−3 y=6
using a table of
values.
Step I: Create a table of values for the equation. Use x to solve for the value of x y
y. −1
0
1
2
Step II: Transformthe equation 2 x−3 y =6 into the standard
form y=mx+ b .
2 x−(2 x)−3 y=6−2 x → Subtraction Property of Equality
2 x−( 2 x )−3 y =6−2 x → Perform operation
2 x−(2 x)−3 y=6−2 x → Division Property of Equality
2 x−( 2 x )−3 y =−3 → Subtraction Property of Equality
2
2 x−( 2 x )−3 y = x−2 → Standard ¿ y=mx+b
3
2
Step III: Substitute the values of x in the given equation. ( y= x−3) Step IV: Complete
3
For x=−1 For x=0 For x=1 For x=2 Values
2 2 2 2
y= x −2 y= x −2 y= x −2 y= x −2 x y
3 3 3 3
2 2 2 −1 −2.67
y= (−1 )−2 2 y= (1)−2 y= (2)−2
3 y= (0)−2 3 3
3 0 −2
−2 2 4
y= −2 y=0−2 y= −2 y= −2 1 −1.33
3 3 3
−8 y=−2 −4 −2 2 −0.67
y= ¿−2.67 y= or −1.33 y= or −0.67
3 3 3
(0 ,−2)
(−1 ,−2.67) ¿1 , −1.33 ¿ (2 ,−0.67)

Step V: Plotting. Step VI: Connect the points.