Quadrants of the Cartesian Coordinate System
The Cartesian Coordinate System can be broken up into several pieces: the x-axis, the y-axis, the origin (which lies on both axes), and the four quadrants. Each point on a flat surface must lie somewhere on either of the axes (or on both, in the case of the origin) or in one of the four quadrants.
The x-axis, the y-axis, and the four quadrants are shown in the image below. The origin of the coordinate system is located at the intersection of the two axes.
The x-axis, the y-axis, and the four quadrants are shown in the image below. The origin of the coordinate system is located at the intersection of the two axes.
Because Quadrant 1 is located to the right of the y-axis and above the x-axis, all of the points in Quadrant 1 have a positive x-coordinate and a positive y-coordinate.
Quadrant 2 is located to the left of the y-axis and above the x-axis. As a result, all of the points in Quadrant 2 have a negative x-coordinate and a positive y-coordinate.
Because Quadrant 3 is located to the left of the y-axis and below the x-axis, all of the points in Quadrant 3 have a negative x-coordinate and a negative y-coordinate.
Quadrant 4 is located to the right of the y-axis and below the x-axis. As a result, all of the points in Quadrant 4 have a positive x-coordinate and a negative y-coordinate.
All points located on the x-axis have a y-coordinate equal to zero (including the origin), and all points located on the y-axis have an x-coordinate equal to zero (including the origin).
Quadrant 2 is located to the left of the y-axis and above the x-axis. As a result, all of the points in Quadrant 2 have a negative x-coordinate and a positive y-coordinate.
Because Quadrant 3 is located to the left of the y-axis and below the x-axis, all of the points in Quadrant 3 have a negative x-coordinate and a negative y-coordinate.
Quadrant 4 is located to the right of the y-axis and below the x-axis. As a result, all of the points in Quadrant 4 have a positive x-coordinate and a negative y-coordinate.
All points located on the x-axis have a y-coordinate equal to zero (including the origin), and all points located on the y-axis have an x-coordinate equal to zero (including the origin).