Plot the point (-2, 3, 4)

Step by step

The question

Question: plot the point (−2, 3, 4).

The numbers always come in this order: x, then y, then z.

So x = −2, y = 3 and z = 4.

1 Set up the grid

Three axes, at square corners to each other.

x comes toward us, y goes right, z goes up.

The floor is flat, where z is 0.

z is the height above it.

2 Plot the point

Start at the origin, where the axes meet.

Go back 2 along x: a minus means the other way.

Then go 3 along y.

Then go up 4, straight up, along z.

That is the point (−2, 3, 4).

Careful!

The order matters.

The first number is always x.

(3, −2, 4) is a different point.

3 Check

Let's check.

Drop straight down to the floor.

On the floor we are at x = −2, y = 3.

The height is 4.

It matches!

Let's look back.

First: set up the grid.

Then: plot the point.

Last: check.