Why Coordinates
Coordinates are numbers used to locate the exact position of a point with respect to a fixed reference line or fixed axes.
In one line: Plane position needs two clues: across and up.
Practice This ConceptUnderstand it
In daily life, position becomes clear only when we use a reference. A seat number in a cinema hall, a row and column in a classroom, or a point on graph paper works because there is a fixed starting point and a fixed direction. Coordinates give the same clarity in mathematics.
Example
Formula and rule
On a line, one coordinate can locate a point.
On a plane, an ordered pair (x, y) locates a point uniquely.
See it worked out
Follow the example line by line, then use the same method on new questions.
Worked example
A classroom has 6 rows and 5 columns.
- 1A student at row 4 and column 2 is written as (4, 2).
- 2Changing it to (2, 4) usually means a different seat, so order matters.
Method you can reuse
- 1First identify the fixed starting point.
- 2Next identify the two directions used.
- 3Then write the position as an ordered pair without interchanging the numbers.
Visual tip
A simple classroom seating grid or graph paper grid can show how row and column together identify one exact position.
Check yourself
Answer the question in your head before opening the answer.
Try it yourself
Why are two numbers needed to locate a point on a plane?
Think first, then show answerHide answer
Common wrong answer
Writing only 4 for row 4, column 2 is incomplete because it does not tell the column.
Don't mix this up
Exam tip
Write it in the exam
Each point is worth about one mark. Write point 1 for a 1-mark question and keep adding points as the marks go up.
How CBSE asks it
- 1
Enough for 1 mark
Coordinates are numbers used to locate the exact position of a point with respect to a fixed reference line or fixed axes.
- 2
Add for 2 marks
In daily life, position becomes clear only when we use a reference.
- 3
Add for 3 marks
A seat number in a cinema hall, a row and column in a classroom, or a point on graph paper works because there is a fixed starting point and a fixed direction.
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