Understanding the Cartesian Coordinate System

In mathematics and physics, a Cartesian coordinate system is a set of three perpendicular lines (axes) used to represent points in space. The coordinates are named after René Descartes, who introduced the concept in the 17th century.

The three axes are:

* The x-axis (sometimes called the abscissa), which runs horizontally from left to right.
* The y-axis (sometimes called the ordinate), which runs vertically up and down.
* The z-axis (sometimes called the altitude), which runs perpendicular to both the x and y axes, and is vertical in three-dimensional space.

Each point in space can be represented by a set of coordinates, which are the distances from the point to each of the axes. For example, a point with coordinates (3, 4, 5) is located 3 units away from the x-axis, 4 units away from the y-axis, and 5 units away from the z-axis.

The Cartesian coordinate system is widely used in mathematics, physics, engineering, and other fields to represent points, graphs, and other geometric objects. It is particularly useful for solving problems that involve motion, forces, and other quantities that can be described using three dimensions.