Math Is Fun Forum

Dawn0388

Member

From: Hong Kong

Registered: 2014-10-17

Posts: 4

Website

What Are X And Y Stand For?

That's a really easy question for you guys.
I know that X =  [-]  ---> [+]
Y = [+]
        |
        |
      [-]

But what are X and Y stand for? Are these just a alphabet?

---

"Striving for success without hard work is like trying to harvest where you haven't planted." - David Bly

Bob

Administrator

Registered: 2010-06-20

Posts: 10,621

Re: What Are X And Y Stand For?

hi Dawn0388

Welcome to the forum.

The x-y system of coordinates was invented by the mathematician Descartes. 

http://mathworld.wolfram.com/CartesianCoordinates.html

But you don't have to use x and y at all.  For example to draw a graph of velocity changes with time, you might have 't' across and 'v' up.

You'll find more about coordinates at

http://www.mathsisfun.com/data/cartesia … nates.html

Bob

---

Children are not defined by school ...........The Fonz
You cannot teach a man anything;  you can only help him find it within himself..........Galileo Galilei
Sometimes I deliberately make mistakes, just to test you!  …………….Bob

Dawn0388

Member

From: Hong Kong

Registered: 2014-10-17

Posts: 4

Website

Re: What Are X And Y Stand For?

hi Dawn0388

Welcome to the forum.

The x-y system of coordinates was invented by the mathematician Descartes. 

http://mathworld.wolfram.com/CartesianCoordinates.html

But you don't have to use x and y at all.  For example to draw a graph of velocity changes with time, you might have 't' across and 'v' up.

You'll find more about coordinates at

http://www.mathsisfun.com/data/cartesia … nates.html

Bob

Thank you for answering me the question!

---

"Striving for success without hard work is like trying to harvest where you haven't planted." - David Bly