The x-axis and y-axis Remembered!

The x-axis and y-axis are two lines that create the coordinate plane.  The x-axis is a horizontal line and the y-axis is a vertical line.  I'm sure you've heard that a million times, but here's a trick to help you remember...

x is left (try to hear the "rhyme")

y is high (to the sky)

Of course:

• x goes left or right
.


• y goes high or low. 

The x-axis and y-axis are simply just two number lines.  In the grid above, we can plot points and graph lines or curves.  Hopefully these little rhymes will help you to remember the correct directions for the x-axis and y-axis.

Interested in finding out about the slope or y-intercept of a line that is graphed in the coordinate plane?  How about our explanation of the coordinate plane through Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean? Don't miss it!

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