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JEE Main 2026 Preparation: Question Papers, Solutions, Mock Tests & Strategy Unacademy » JEE Study Material » Mathematics » Position of Origin

Position of Origin

The position of origin in maths is a particular point from where all other points are measured. Read on to learn more on the topic.

Table of Content
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The position of a point of origin is the beginning or starting point, from where all the other points are taken into consideration. On a graph, this position is fixed, usually denoted as O, and acts as a definite reference point for the surrounding space. It is denoted as (0,0 ) on the graph. How far that point is from the origin determines the position of the coordinates. 

The x and y-axis are equal to zero, and the x-axis and the y-axis intersect, and the point of intersection is 0.

Cartesian Plane

French mathematician Rene Descartes first introduced the concept of a Cartesian, where the two branches of algebra and geometry were put together by the plane or coordinate system. 

How Does This System Work?

  • There is a straight line where integers are placed at an equal distance from a definite region.

  • The point from where the points are marked is the origin.

  • On the right-hand side, numbers are positive and the negative on the left of 0.

  • This straight line is a number line. 

  • When two number lines are perpendicular, then a coordinate axis is formed. 

What is The Cartesian Coordinate System? 

  • A Cartesian coordinate system or coordinate system on a graph helps find the location of a point.

  • Pairs (x, y) are known as coordinates. 

  • The X-axis is the horizontal line and is named X, X.

  •  Y-axis is the vertical line and is named Y, Y. 

  •  ‘O’  or the origin is the point of intersection of these two axes.

  • The coordinate plane is also called a 2-dimensional plane. 

Quadrants of a Coordinate System 

Dividing the Cartesian plane into four quadrants by the coordinate axes XX’ and YY’ are:

  1. First quadrant – region  XOY

  2. Second quadrant- region  X’OY

  3. Third quadrant- region  X’OY’ 

  4. Fourth quadrant- region Y’OX

The four parts are called quadrants, and the plane divides into four parts. These parts are numbered I, II, III, and IV anticlockwise from OX. So, in a position of origin, the defining factor is the formation of a plane that consists of axes, and these quadrants and the plane is called the Cartesian plane or coordinate plane or the XY plane. The axis is called coordinate axes. 

Sign Convention

On the X-axis: The ray OX is positive, OX’ is negative. 

On the Y-axis- OY on Y-axis is positive, OY’ is negative. 

 (+, +) – I quadrant

 (-, +) – II quadrant

 (-, -) – III quardrant

 (+, -) – IV quadrant

Cartesian Coordinates of a Point

In an ordered pair, the first number is the abscissa. The value of x in the ordered pair is called the abscissa which is the distance of a point on the plane from the y-axis. The second number in the ordered pair is the ordinate. It takes the value of y, and the ordinate is the distance of any point on the plane from the x-axis. For example, if the Cartesian coordinate is (2, 3), 2 represents the abscissa, and 3 illustrates the ordinate.

Taking a point on the X-axis, a distance of the point from the X-axis is O. The Y-coordinate on the X-axis is O. Hence, the coordinate of a point on the X-axis is given as (x, 0). Similarly, for a point on the Y-axis, the distance of the point from the Y-axis is O, i.e., the abscissa is zero. 

Hence, the coordinates of a point on the Y-axis are (0, y).

If x=y, then (x,y) = (y,x)

If  x ≠ y, then (x, y) ≠ (y, x) 

( 0,0 ) are the coordinates of the origin.

Conclusion 

Plotting of graph lines and points is done with the help of coordinate planes. Position of origin and coordinate planes hold a lot of importance in the real world. Arrangement of everyday furniture, mapping an area, locating aircraft, and conducting route maps can be done with the help of the coordinate plane.

faq

Frequently asked questions

Get answers to the most common queries related to the JEE Examination Preparation.

What is a point of origin?

Ans : The position of a point of origin is the beginning or starting point, from where all the othe...Read full

Describe the point of origin on a graph

Ans : On a graph, this position is fixed, usually denoted as O, and acts as a definite reference po...Read full

What is The Cartesian Coordinate System?

Ans : A Cartesian coordinate system or coordinate system on a graph helps find the location of a po...Read full

Who introduced the concept of a Cartesian?

Ans : French mathematician Rene Descartes first introduced the concept of a Cartesian, where the tw...Read full

How is the point of origin important in everyday life?

Ans : The position of origin in the Cartesian plane is used for several applications such as mappin...Read full

Ans : The position of a point of origin is the beginning or starting point, from where all the other points are taken into consideration. 

Ans : On a graph, this position is fixed, usually denoted as O, and acts as a definite reference point for the surrounding space. It is denoted as (0,0 ) on the graph. How far that point is from the origin determines the position of the coordinates. 

Ans : A Cartesian coordinate system or coordinate system on a graph helps find the location of a point.

Ans : French mathematician Rene Descartes first introduced the concept of a Cartesian, where the two branches of algebra and geometry were put together by the plane or coordinate system. This is the reason why the concept was named after him. 

 

Ans : The position of origin in the Cartesian plane is used for several applications such as mapping routes, which helps carve GPS locations and aircraft routes. It is also used to build furniture. 

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