It is known as the Cartesian plane, to two perpendicular number lines, one horizontal and one vertical, which intersect at a point called the origin or point 0. The purpose of the Cartesian plane is to describe the position or location of a point in the plane, which is represented by the coordinate system. Parts of the Cartesian plane The elements and characteristics that make up the Cartesian plane are the coordinate axes, the origin, the quadrants, and the coordinates. Coordinate axes Coordinate axes are called the two perpendicular lines that interconnect at a point in the plane. These lines are called the abscissa and the ordinate. Abscissa: the abscissa axis is arranged horizontally and is identified by the letter "x" Ordinate: the ordinate axis is oriented vertically and is represented by the letter "y". Origin or point 0 The origin is called the point at which the “x” and “y” axes intersect, the point to which the value of zero (0) is assigned. Quadrants