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Secondary 2 · Mathematics
Functions · Functions

Representation in the Cartesian Plane

Before you start, make sure you know: Representation on the number line (Secondary Year 1)

Ximena tells Diego: "Let's meet at the corner by the tortilla shop." But which corner? On a map, in a video game, or on a ship's radar, every position is given with two numbers: the first says how far to the right (or left) and the second how far up (or down). That pair of numbers and the axes that measure them make up the Cartesian plane. At the end of the page you'll see how Ximena and Diego agree on a meeting spot.

The coordinate axes

Perpendicular Cartesian axes X and Y crossing at the origin O, with a point P plotted in the first quadrant. X Y O P
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Complete the following sentences about the Cartesian coordinate system: a) The horizontal axis is called the axis of \\\\\\\\ and is represented by the letter $X$. b)…

Complete the following sentences about the Cartesian coordinate system:

  1. a) The horizontal axis is called the axis of ________ and is represented by the letter $X$.
  2. b) The vertical axis is called the axis of ________ and is represented by the letter $Y$.
  3. c) The point of intersection of both axes is called the ________ and its coordinates are $(0, 0)$.
Solve
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Draw a set of coordinate axes in your notebook and identify which quadrant (first, second, third, or fourth) the following points are in without plotting them: $P(4, 7)$…

Draw a set of coordinate axes in your notebook and identify which quadrant (first, second, third, or fourth) the following points are in without plotting them:

  • $P(4, 7)$

  • $Q(-3, 5)$

  • $R(-2, -8)$

  • $S(6, -1)$

You can do it on paper and send a photo with your answer.

Solve
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A delivery drone leaves the logistics center, located at point $(0, 0)$. It makes two deliveries: the first at point $A(0, 4)$ and the second at point $B(5, 0)$. a)…

A delivery drone leaves the logistics center, located at point $(0, 0)$. It makes two deliveries: the first at point $A(0, 4)$ and the second at point $B(5, 0)$.

  1. a) State which axis each of the delivery points lies on.
  2. b) If the drone flies in a straight line from point $A$ to point $B$, represent the path on coordinate axes.
X Y 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 O(0,0) A(0,4) B(5,0)
Solve

The coordinates of a point

Each point is written $P(x, y)$. To plot it: first count $x$ steps from $O$ to the right (or to the left if it is negative), then go up or down $y$ steps from there.

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In the following Cartesian plane, the positions of four objects in a room are marked. Write down the coordinates $(x, y)$ of each of the points represented: the remote…

In the following Cartesian plane, the positions of four objects in a room are marked. Write down the coordinates $(x, y)$ of each of the points represented: the remote control ($A$), the book ($B$), the keys ($C$) and the backpack ($D$).

x y −3 −2 −1 1 2 3 4 5 4 3 2 1 0 −1 −2 −3 −4 B C A D
Solve
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We are designing a level for a video game on a grid. Three of the vertices of a rectangular room are the points $A(1, 2)$, $B(6, 2)$ and $C(6, 5)$. a) Plot the points on…

We are designing a level for a video game on a grid. Three of the vertices of a rectangular room are the points $A(1, 2)$, $B(6, 2)$ and $C(6, 5)$.

  1. a) Plot the points on a Cartesian plane.
  1. b) What must the coordinates of the fourth vertex $D$ be so that the room is a perfect rectangle?
  1. c) Join the points in order ($A$, $B$, $C$ and $D$) and check your answer.

You can do it on paper and send a photo with your answer.

Solve
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Plot the following points on a grid and join them in alphabetical order. Finally, join the last point to the first. What geometric shape have you obtained? $A(-2, 2)$…

Plot the following points on a grid and join them in alphabetical order. Finally, join the last point to the first. What geometric shape have you obtained?

  • $A(-2, 2)$

  • $B(2, 2)$

  • $C(2, -2)$

  • $D(-2, -2)$

Solve

The quadrants

Depending on the sign of $x$ and of $y$, each point falls in one of the four quadrants, numbered counterclockwise:

Cartesian plane divided into the four quadrants numbered I to IV counterclockwise, with the signs of the coordinates of each one. I(+, +) II(−, +) III(−, −) IV(+, −)
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A group of archaeologists is mapping the ruins of an ancient Roman city. They have placed the center of an amphitheater at the origin $O(0,0)$. Plot the following points…

A group of archaeologists is mapping the ruins of an ancient Roman city. They have placed the center of an amphitheater at the origin $O(0,0)$. Plot the following points of interest on a Cartesian plane and determine which quadrant each one is in:

  • Temple of Jupiter: $A(-4, 3)$

  • Public baths: $B(5, -2)$

  • North Gate: $C(0, 6)$

  • Forum: $D(-3, -5)$

  • Market: $E(6, 4)$

If they decided to build a fence joining the points $E$, $B$ and $A$, what geometric shape would be formed?

I II III IV X Y 5 −5 5 −5 O(0,0) A(−4.3) B(5,-2) C(0,6) D(−3,-5) E(6,4)
Solve
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Look at the points represented on the following marine navigation radar. Write down the coordinates of the ships identified by the letters $P$, $Q$, $R$ and $S$. Also…

Look at the points represented on the following marine navigation radar. Write down the coordinates of the ships identified by the letters $P$, $Q$, $R$ and $S$. Also indicate which ships have the same x-coordinate and which ones lie on one of the coordinate axes.

X Y 2 4 −2 −4 2 4 −2 −4 Q P R S
Solve
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Draw a Cartesian plane and plot the following points that form the vertices of a rectangle: $A(-4, -1)$, $B(3, -1)$ and $C(3, 4)$. Find the coordinates of the fourth…

Draw a Cartesian plane and plot the following points that form the vertices of a rectangle: $A(-4, -1)$, $B(3, -1)$ and $C(3, 4)$.

  • Find the coordinates of the fourth vertex $D$ to complete the rectangle.

  • Calculate the perimetre and the area of this rectangle by counting the grid units.

  • In which quadrant is most of the area of the rectangle located?

You can do it on paper and send a photo with your answer.

Solve

Points on the axes and symmetric points

A point can fall on an axis instead of in a quadrant: if $x = 0$ it is on the $Y$-axis; if $y = 0$, on the $X$-axis. The origin $(0, 0)$ is not in any quadrant.

It is also useful to know how to reflect a point:

Point M(x, y) in the first quadrant next to its three symmetric points about the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the origin. M(x, y) (x, −y) (−x, y) (−x, −y)
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Plot the point $A(-4, 3)$ in your notebook. a) Write down the coordinates of a point $B$ that has the same x-coordinate as $A$, but its y-coordinate is the opposite. b)…

Plot the point $A(-4, 3)$ in your notebook.

  1. a) Write down the coordinates of a point $B$ that has the same x-coordinate as $A$, but its y-coordinate is the opposite.
  2. b) Write down the coordinates of a point $C$ that has the same y-coordinate as $A$, but its x-coordinate is the opposite.
  3. c) Plot all three points and observe the symmetry created with respect to the axes.

You can do it on paper and send a photo with your answer.

Solve
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In a strategy video game, the base of operations is at point $M(-3, 2)$. The programmer wants to place three guard posts in symmetrical positions: Post $P_1$ is the…

In a strategy video game, the base of operations is at point $M(-3, 2)$. The programmer wants to place three guard posts in symmetrical positions:

  • Post $P_1$ is the reflection of $M$ across the x-axis.

  • Post $P_2$ is the reflection of $M$ across the y-axis.

  • Post $P_3$ is the reflection of $M$ in the origin.

Plot the four points on the Cartesian plane and write down their coordinates.

Solve
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In an art design class, students must create shapes using symmetry. A triangle is drawn with vertices $A(1, 2)$, $B(4, 2)$ and $C(2, 5)$. a) Plot the original triangle.…

In an art design class, students must create shapes using symmetry. A triangle is drawn with vertices $A(1, 2)$, $B(4, 2)$ and $C(2, 5)$.

a) Plot the original triangle.

b) Draw the reflection of the triangle across the $Y$-axis. Write down the coordinates of the new vertices $A'$, $B'$ and $C'$.

c) Draw the reflection of the original triangle about the origin $O(0,0)$. Write down the coordinates of these new vertices $A''$, $B''$ and $C''$.

d) How have the signs of the coordinates changed in each case?

You can do it on paper and send a photo with your answer.

Solve

Figures in the plane

With coordinates you can draw figures: you plot the vertices and connect them in order. If two points have the same abscissa, the segment joining them is vertical; if they have the same ordinate, it is horizontal. So the length of a vertical segment is the difference between the ordinates, and that of a horizontal one is the difference between the abscissas.

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Given the points $M(3, 2)$ and $N(3, -4)$: a) Plot them on the Cartesian plane. b) What do their coordinates have in common? c) If you draw the line that passes through…

Given the points $M(3, 2)$ and $N(3, -4)$:

  1. a) Plot them on the Cartesian plane.
  1. b) What do their coordinates have in common?
  1. c) If you draw the line that passes through both, is it a horizontal or a vertical line?
Solve
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Draw a set of Cartesian axes and plot the points $A(2, 1)$ and $B(2, 5)$. Find the coordinates of a point $C$ such that triangle $ABC$ is an isosceles right-angled…

Draw a set of Cartesian axes and plot the points $A(2, 1)$ and $B(2, 5)$.

  • Find the coordinates of a point $C$ such that triangle $ABC$ is an isosceles right-angled triangle (having two equal sides and an angle of $90^\circ$).

  • Is there more than one possible solution? Write down the coordinates of all the ones you find.

You can do it on paper and send a photo with your answer.

Solve
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The design for a new sports clothing brand logo is based on a symmetrical rhombus. Three of its vertices are known: $A(-2, 1)$, $B(1, 4)$ and $C(4, 1)$. a) Plot these…

The design for a new sports clothing brand logo is based on a symmetrical rhombus. Three of its vertices are known: $A(-2, 1)$, $B(1, 4)$ and $C(4, 1)$.

a) Plot these points on the Cartesian plane and determine the coordinates of the fourth vertex, $D$, so that the shape is a rhombus.

b) Calculate the coordinates of the center of the rhombus (the point where its diagonals intersect).

c) If we wanted to double the size of the logo keeping vertex $A$ in place, what would the new coordinates of points $B$ and $C$ be?

X Y 0 −2 1 4 10 −2 1 4 7 A(−2.1) B(1,4) C(4,1) D(?,?) Center(?,?) B'(?,?) C'(?,?)
Solve

Tables and graphs of relationships

When $y$ depends on $x$ (temperature according to the hour, depth according to distance), you make a table of values, plot each pair $(x, y)$ as a point, and connect the points. If the rule is $y = 2x$, the points line up on a line through the origin. If not, the shape may be a curve.

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Identify which of the following points satisfy the condition that their y-coordinate is double their x-coordinate ($y = 2x$): $A(1, 2)$ $B(-2, -4)$ $C(3; 1.5)$…

Identify which of the following points satisfy the condition that their y-coordinate is double their x-coordinate ($y = 2x$):

  • $A(1, 2)$

  • $B(-2, -4)$

  • $C(3; 1.5)$

  • $D(-1, 2)$

  • $E(0, 0)$

Plot them on a Cartesian plane. What do you observe when you join these points?

Solve
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At a weather station, the variation in temperature over the course of a morning has been recorded. The data obtained are: At $0$ hours (midnight): $-2\,^\circ C$ At $2$…

At a weather station, the variation in temperature over the course of a morning has been recorded. The data obtained are:

  • At $0$ hours (midnight): $-2\,^\circ C$

  • At $2$ hours: $-1\,^\circ C$

  • At $4$ hours: $2\,^\circ C$

  • At $6$ hours: $4\,^\circ C$

In the figure you have the axes with their scale (on the $X$ axis, each unit is $1$ hour; on the $Y$ axis, each unit is $1\,^\circ C$). Copy it into your notebook, preferably on graph paper, and solve:

Empty coordinate axes: time in hours on the horizontal axis, from 0 to 7, and temperature in degrees Celsius on the vertical axis, from −3 to 5 Time (h) Temperature (°C) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 −3 −2 −1 1 2 3 4 5 0
  1. a) Represent these data as points $(x, y)$ on the Cartesian plane, where the $X$ axis represents time and the $Y$ axis represents temperature.
  1. b) Join the points with line segments to draw the graph.
  1. c) What is the meaning of the point where the graph crosses the x-axis? Give its coordinates approximately.
  1. d) What is the meaning of the point where the graph crosses the y-axis? Give its coordinates.
Solve
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A biologist measures the depth of a lake at different points along a straight line crossing from one shore to the other. The starting shore is at $x=0$ and the ending…

A biologist measures the depth of a lake at different points along a straight line crossing from one shore to the other. The starting shore is at $x=0$ and the ending shore is at $x=10$. The depth $y$ (in meters, expressed as negative values to indicate depth) follows the function $y = x^2 - 10x$.

a) Create a table of values for $x \in \{0, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10\}$.

b) Plot the points on the Cartesian plane and join them with a smooth curve.

c) At what point is the maximum depth of the lake reached, and what is this value?

d) What does the fact that the value of $y$ is $0$ at $x=0$ and $x=10$ represent?

2 4 6 8 10 x (m) 0 −5 −10 −15 −20 −25 y (m) Lake surface y = x² - 10x V(5, −25) Maximum depth
Solve

Piecewise graphs and crossing lines

Sometimes the rule changes depending on the value of $x$. For example, a parking lot charges $\$20$ if you stay up to $10$ minutes and $\$35$ if you stay longer. The graph is piecewise: a horizontal segment in each interval. At the endpoint where the rule no longer holds, you draw an open dot ○ (not included), and at the one where it does hold, a filled dot ● (included).

Piecewise graph: cost of 20 pesos up to 10 minutes with a filled dot at the end, and 35 pesos afterward with an open dot at the start. minutes pesos 20 35 10

To see where two relationships cross, you draw them on the same axes: the point where the lines intersect satisfies both rules at the same time. For example, $y = x + 1$ and $y = -x + 5$ intersect at $(2, 3)$, because with $x = 2$ both give $y = 3$.

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A delivery drone follows a linear route. It takes off from the warehouse at point $S(-5, -2)$ and must pass through points $T(-2, 1)$ and $U(1, 4)$ before reaching its…

A delivery drone follows a linear route. It takes off from the warehouse at point $S(-5, -2)$ and must pass through points $T(-2, 1)$ and $U(1, 4)$ before reaching its destination.

  1. a) Plot the points $S$, $T$ and $U$ on a Cartesian plane (on grid paper). Are they collinear?
  1. b) If the drone continues along its path in the same direction, will it pass through point $V(4, 7)$? Justify your answer graphically: plot $V$ as well and the line joining the points.

You can do it on paper and send a photo with your answer.

Solve
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An electric scooter rental company uses a tiered rate to avoid trips that are too short. The cost $y$ (in pesos) depends on the time $x$ (in minutes) according to these…

An electric scooter rental company uses a tiered rate to avoid trips that are too short. The cost $y$ (in pesos) depends on the time $x$ (in minutes) according to these rules:

  • If the trip lasts between $0$ and $10$ minutes (inclusive), the cost is $40$ pesos.

  • If it lasts more than $10$ and up to $20$ minutes, the cost is $80$ pesos.

  • From $20$ minutes onward, the cost is a fixed $80$ pesos plus $2$ pesos for each additional minute past $20$.

a) Draw a graph of this function on the Cartesian plane for a time from $0$ to $40$ minutes.

b) State whether the function is continuous or discontinuous. If it is discontinuous, indicate the jump points.

c) How much will a person pay who uses the scooter for $25$ minutes? And someone who uses it for $10$ minutes and one second?

Solve
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Two ships, the Alfa* and the Beta*, are travelling across the ocean. Their positions on the Cartesian plane (where each unit on the vertical axis represents $1$ nautical…

Two ships, the Alfa and the Beta, are travelling across the ocean. Their positions on the Cartesian plane (where each unit on the vertical axis represents $1$ nautical mile) are given by the following functions with respect to time $t$ (in hours):

  • Ship Alfa: $y = 2t - 4$

  • Ship Beta: $y = -t + 5$

Use the axes in the figure (copy them into your notebook) to solve the parts.

a) Plot both paths on the same coordinate axes for values of $t$ between $0$ and $6$.

b) At what point on the map will the two ships cross? Find the coordinates $(t, y)$ of that point visually from the graph.

c) At what time ($t$) will that meeting take place?

Coordinate axes with grid: time t in hours on the horizontal axis and position y in miles on the vertical axis, empty for drawing the paths 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 −4 −2 0 2 4 6 8 10 Time t (h) Position y (miles)
Solve

Is it a function? Domain and range

On a graph, you can tell using the vertical line test: if any vertical line crosses the graph at two or more points, there is an $x$ with two values of $y$ and it is not a function. A circle centered at the origin with radius $5$ is not a function: with $x = 0$ you get $y = 5$ and $y = -5$. A non-vertical line is a function.

Imagine a drone leaving its base: for 10 s it moves away up to 20 m, stays still for 10 s, and returns in 10 s.

Distance-time graph of a drone: it rises from 0 to 20 meters in 10 seconds, holds for 10 seconds, and returns to 0 in the next 10 seconds. time (s) distance (m) 10 20 30 20

The domain is the seconds from $0$ to $30$, that is $[0, 30]$. The range is the distances from $0$ to $20$ m, that is $[0, 20]$. From $0$ to $10$ s the graph rises (it moves away), from $10$ to $20$ s it is horizontal (stationary), and from $20$ to $30$ s it falls (it comes closer). In the first segment the speed is $20 \div 10 = 2$ m/s.

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A surveillance drone completes a round trip from its base. Its distance from the base (in meters) with respect to time (in seconds) is given by the following graph: a)…

A surveillance drone completes a round trip from its base. Its distance from the base (in meters) with respect to time (in seconds) is given by the following graph:

0 10 20 30 36 40 44 50 25 50 75 100 125 Time (s) Distance (m)

a) Determine the domain and range of this function according to the graph.

b) Identify the time intervals in which the drone moves away from the base, gets closer, or remains stationary.

c) What is the speed of the drone (in m/s) during the first $10$ seconds? Remember that $v = \frac{distancia}{tiempo}$.

Solve
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Analyse the following two graphs, $G_1$ and $G_2$, drawn on the same set of axes, and answer with reasoning. The graph $G_1$ is the line $y=0.5x+4$ and the graph $G_2$…

Analyse the following two graphs, $G_1$ and $G_2$, drawn on the same set of axes, and answer with reasoning. The graph $G_1$ is the line $y=0.5x+4$ and the graph $G_2$ is a circle centred at the origin with radius $3$.

a) Which of them represent a function? Justify your answer using the concept of "uniqueness of image".

b) For those that are functions, state whether they are increasing or decreasing over their whole domain.

c) Look at the points of $G_2$ with $x=0$: which values of $y$ correspond to them? What do you conclude about whether $G_2$ satisfies uniqueness of image? Also give another value of $x$, different from $0$, for which the same happens.

Line G1 crossing the x-axis at -8 and the y-axis at 4, and circle G2 centred at the origin with radius 3, on axes with 1 unit = 20 pixelsxyG₁G₂−8−6−4−2246826−2−4−6
Solve

Regions with inequalities

You don't only draw lines: you can also draw regions. A condition with $\leq$ or $\geq$ includes its boundary; with $<$ or $>$ it does not. Remember that the absolute value $|a|$ is the distance from $a$ to $0$, so $|-3| = 3$.

Region |x| + |y| ≤ 2 in the Cartesian plane: tilted square with vertices at (2, 0), (0, 2), (−2, 0), and (0, −2), shaded inside. (2, 0) (0, 2) (−2, 0) (0, −2)
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In a strategy video game, the area of influence of a defence tower is bounded by the points $(x, y)$ that satisfy the following condition: the modulus of their…

In a strategy video game, the area of influence of a defence tower is bounded by the points $(x, y)$ that satisfy the following condition: the modulus of their x-coordinate plus the modulus of their y-coordinate must be less than or equal to $4$, that is, $|x| + |y| \leq 4$.

a) Plot on the Cartesian plane all the points that form the boundary of this region (where $|x| + |y| = 4$). What geometric shape do you obtain?

b) Check whether the points $P(2, 2)$, $Q(-3, 2)$ and $R(0, -4)$ are inside, outside, or on the boundary of the area of influence.

c) Calculate the area of this region in square units.

You can do it on paper and send a photo with your answer.

Solve

Back to the beginning: Ximena and Diego agree if they say "the corner $(3, 2)$": three blocks to the right of the tortilla shop and two blocks up. An ordered pair locates a single point.

Summary

See all the exercises in this section