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Meaning of Ordinate
Ordinate is a mathematical term that refers to the y-coordinate of a point on a graph. It is the distance of a point from the y-axis, measured in terms of the unit of the graph’s vertical coordinate system. The ordinate is always positive, and it always corresponds to the value of the y-variable in a function.
Cartesian Coordinate System
A Cartesian coordinate system is a coordinate system that uses a Cartesian plane to establish relative positions of points. It uses two perpendicular lines, called coordinate axes, to indicate the position of a point. The x-axis is the horizontal line, and the y-axis is the vertical line. The point is located at the intersection of the two lines.
Plotting Ordinates in Coordinate System
In mathematics and physics, a coordinate system is a system that uses one or more numbers, or coordinates, to uniquely identify a position in a given space.
A coordinate system can be used to represent a point in a two-dimensional space, or a point in a three-dimensional space. In a two-dimensional space, a coordinate system uses two coordinates, typically denoted by x and y. In a three-dimensional space, a coordinate system uses three coordinates, typically denoted by x, y, and z.
A point in a two-dimensional space can be represented by a pair of coordinates, x and y. A point in a three-dimensional space can be represented by a triple of coordinates, x, y, and z.
The x-coordinate represents the horizontal position of a point, and the y-coordinate represents the vertical position of a point. The z-coordinate represents the depth, or distance, of a point from a reference point.
A coordinate system can be used to represent any point in a given space. However, not all coordinate systems are suitable for all purposes. For example, a coordinate system that uses Latitude and Longitude coordinates is not suitable for representing points in a two-dimensional space.
The Ordinate in Coordinate System Examples
In mathematics, the ordinate (plural ordinates) is the vertical distance between a point and a line, or the value of a function at a given point. The word comes from the Latin ordinare, meaning “to arrange”.
The following are coordinate system examples with ordinates labeled.
In the Cartesian coordinate system, the ordinate is the y-coordinate.
In the polar coordinate system, the ordinate is the radial coordinate or the distance from the origin.
In the cylindrical coordinate system, the ordinate is the z-coordinate.
Difference between Ordinate and Abscissa
The ordinate is the y-coordinate of a point on a graph, while the abscissa is the x-coordinate. The ordinate is the vertical distance between the y-axis and the point, while the abscissa is the horizontal distance between the x-axis and the point.
Fun Quiz
1. What is the capital of the United States?
Washington D.C.
Importance of Ordinates in Maths
In mathematics, ordinates are the y-coordinates of points on a graph. They are used to measure the height or depth of a point on the graph.
Also Check For:
Polar Coordinates – Formula and Solved Examples
