abscissa
n.
distance of a coordinate from the the vertical axis (y-axis) of a graph measured on a line which is parallel to the horizontal axis (x-axis)
Cartesian coordinate system
In
mathematics, the Cartesian coordinate system (also called rectangular coordinate system) is used to determine each
point uniquely in a
plane through two
numbers, usually called the x-coordinate and the y-coordinate of the point. To define the coordinates, two
perpendicular directed lines (the x-axis or , and the y-axis or ), are specified, as well as the
unit length, which is marked off on the two axes (see Figure 1). Cartesian coordinate systems are also used in
space (where three coordinates are used) and in
higher dimensions.
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abscissa
Noun
1. the value of a coordinate on the horizontal axis
(hypernym) cartesian coordinate
Abscissae
(pl. )
of Abscissa
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), edited by Noah Porter.
About
abscissa
<
mathematics> The horizontal or x coordinate on an (x, y) graph; the input of a function against which the output is plotted.
The vertical or y coordinate is the "
ordinate".
See
Cartesian coordinates.
(1997-07-08)
(c) Copyright 1993 by Denis Howe