INTRODUCTION TO GRAPHS
• In the Cartesian plane, the horizontal line is called the x-axis and the vertical line
is called the y-axis.
• The coordinate axes divide the plane into four parts called quadrants.
• The point of intersection of the axes is called the origin.
• The x - coordinate of a point is its perpendicular distance from the y - axis
measured along the x -axis. The x - coordinate is also called the abscissa.
• The y - coordinate of a point is its perpendicular distance from the x - axis
measured along the y – axis. The y - coordinate is also called the ordinate.
• (x, y) are called the coordinates of the point whose abscissa is x and the ordinate
is y.
• The coordinates describe a point in the plane uniquely.
• Coordinates of a point on the x-axis are of the form (x, 0) and that of the point on
the y-axis is of the form (0, y).
• The Origin has zero distance from both the axes so that its abscissa and ordinate
are both zero. The coordinates of the origin are (0, 0),
• Signs of the coordinates of a point in the first quadrant are (+, +), in the second
quadrant (–, +), in the third quadrant (–, –) and in the fourth quadrant (+, –).
• Two independent informations are necessary to find the position of a point.
• The process of fixing a point with the help of the coordinates is known as plotting
a point in the plane.
• The system used for describing the position of a point in a plane is also known as
the Cartesian system.
Cartesian Plane and Coordinate Axes
A cartesian plane is formed and defined by two perpendicular number lines :
the x−axis, which is horizontal and the y−axis, which is vertical. These are called
the coordinate axes.
The point at which the two axes meet is called the zero or origin of the cartesian plane.
The two coordinate axes help to plot any point on the cartesian plane.
Graphical methods used to present data are very efficient in organizing the data and
understanding them.
These are various graphical methods:
• While comparing among categories, the method which is appropriate is the bar
graph.
• While comparing parts of a whole, a pie chart is the ideal method.
• When data is provided in intervals, a histogram can be used for easier
understanding.
• In the case of the data changing continuously over a period of time, a line graph
will be useful
• When an unbroken line is represented, it is done with the help of a linear graph
• LINE GRAPH
• A line graph is a graphical representation of information that changes
over a period of time.
• It is a chart made by joining points using line segments.
• Simple line graphs: It is formed when you draw just one line to
connect the data points. It is also known as a linear graph.
• Linear Graph
• A graph where all the data points can be plotted on a single straight
line is called a linear graph.
• A line graph in which all the line segments form a part of a single line
is called a linear graph.
