Math Doubts

y-axis of two dimensional Cartesian coordinate system

A number line that displayed in vertical position in a two-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system is called the $y$-axis of two dimensional space.

Introduction

In Bi-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system, there are two number-lines, which are bisected at their middle point but one of them is drawn vertically for measuring the distance of a point from origin in vertical direction. Therefore, the number-line is called the $y$-axis of the two dimensional Cartesian coordinate system.

Example

The $y$-axis is represented by a number-line $YOY’$ in this example. The arrows above and below in number-line $\overleftrightarrow{YY’}$ represents that the straight line can be extended infinitely in both directions.

y axis of two dimensional space

Parts

In two-dimensional space, the horizontal number-line divides the $y$-axis as two parts at origin $(O)$.

Positive y-axis

The part of the $y$-axis that appears above the origin is called the positive $y$-axis. In this case, the ray $\overrightarrow{OY}$ represents the positive $y$-axis. Every division in the positive $y$-axis is denoted by the positive integers.

Negative y-axis

The part of the $y$-axis that appears below the origin is called the negative $y$-axis. In this case, the ray $\overrightarrow{OY’}$ denotes the negative $y$-axis. Each division in the negative $y$-axis is represented by the negative integers.

Usage

In two-dimensional space, the $y$-axis is used to know the distance of any point from the origin by comparing the vertical distance of the point with the number line on the $y$-axis. For example, $E$, $F$, $G$ and $H$ are four points in a two-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system.

points y axis of two dimensional space
  1. The point $E$ is a right side point to the positive $y$-axis and it is $1$ units away from the origin.
  2. The point $F$ is a right side point to the negative $y$-axis and it is $3$ units away from the origin.
  3. The point $G$ is a left side point to the positive $y$-axis and it is $2$ units away from the origin.
  4. The point $H$ is a left side point to the negative $y$-axis and it is $2$ units away from the origin.

In this way, the $y$-axis is used to measure the distance of any point from the origin in vertical direction by the comparison.

Math Doubts

A best free mathematics education website that helps students, teachers and researchers.

Maths Topics

Learn each topic of the mathematics easily with understandable proofs and visual animation graphics.

Maths Problems

A math help place with list of solved problems with answers and worksheets on every concept for your practice.

Learn solutions

Subscribe us

You can get the latest updates from us by following to our official page of Math Doubts in one of your favourite social media sites.

Copyright © 2012 - 2022 Math Doubts, All Rights Reserved