Basics of a Graph

Graphs, like equations, are a tool for working with relationships between two (or sometimes more) variables. A basic two-dimensional graph consists of a vertical and a horizontal line that intersects at a point called origin.

The horizontal line is the x axis, the vertical line is the y axis.

In simple line graphs, the x and y axes are each divided into evenly spaced subdivisions that are assigned to numerical values.

To the right of the origin on the x axis, the values are positive numbers; to the left of the origin the values are negative.

On the y axis, values above the origin are positive; below the origin, they are negative.

At any given point on the graph, the value of the variable on the x axis, is paired with a corresponding value of the variable on the y axis. The two values are called coordinates because they are coordinated, or associated, with one another.

The first point shown on the graph has an x coordinate of -4 because it is a distance of 4 to the left of the origin and a y coordinate of -6, because it is a distance of 6 below the origin.

This point can be written as x = -4, y = -6, or as (-4,-6).

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