Two Numbers, One Point

Two number lines that cross at zero make the coordinate plane. The horizontal line is the x-axis and the vertical line is the y-axis. The point where they cross is the origin. A pair of numbers like (3, 2) names one point on the plane. These two numbers are called the coordinates of the point. The first number is the x-coordinate and the second number is the y-coordinate. To find the point (3, 2), start at the origin, go 3 units to the right along the x-axis, then go 2 units up.

The point (3, 2) is 3 to the right and 2 up

The order of the two numbers matters. (3, 2) and (2, 3) are two different points. A negative x-coordinate means you go left instead of right. A negative y-coordinate means you go down instead of up. For example, (-2, 3) is 2 to the left and 3 up. The pair (0, 0) is the origin itself, because you do not move at all.