Definition:Cartesian 3-Space
Definition
The Cartesian $3$-space is a Cartesian coordinate system of $3$ dimensions.
Definition by Axes
Every point in ordinary $3$-space can be identified uniquely by means of an ordered triple of real coordinates $\tuple {x, y, z}$, as follows:
Construct a Cartesian plane, with origin $O$ and axes identified as the $x$-axis and $y$-axis.
Recall the identification of the point $P$ with the coordinate pair $\tuple {1, 0}$ in the $x$-$y$ plane.
Construct an infinite straight line through $O$ perpendicular to both the $x$-axis and the$y$-axis and call it the $z$-axis.
Identify the point $P$ on the $z$-axis such that $OP = OP$.
Identify the $z$-axis with the real number line such that:
Definition by Planes
Every point in ordinary $3$-space can be identified uniquely by means of an ordered triple of real coordinates $\tuple {x, y, z}$, as follows:
Identify one distinct point in space as the origin $O$.
Let $3$ distinct planes be constructed through $O$ such that all are perpendicular.
Each pair of these $3$ planes intersect in a straight line that passes through $O$.
Let $X$, $Y$ and $Z$ be points, other than $O$, one on each of these $3$ lines of intersection.
Then the lines $OX$, $OY$ and $OZ$ are named the $x$-axis, $y$-axis and $z$-axis respectively.
Select a point $P$ on the $x$-axis different from $O$.
Let $P$ be identified with the coordinate pair $\tuple {1, 0}$ in the $x$-$y$ plane.
Identify the point $P'$ on the $y$-axis such that $OP' = OP$.
Identify the point $P$ on the $z$-axis such that $OP = OP$.
Orientation
It remains to identify the point $P$ on the $z$-axis such that $OP = OP$.
Right-Handed
The Cartesian $3$-Space is defined as right-handed when $P$ is located as follows.
Let the coordinate axes be oriented as follows:
Imagine being positioned, standing on the $x$-$y$ plane at $O$, and facing along the $x$-axis towards $P$, with $P'$ on the left.
Then $P$ is then one unit above the $x$-$y$ plane.
Left-Handed
The Cartesian $3$-Space is defined as left-handed when $P$ is located as follows.
Let the coordinate axes be oriented as follows:
Imagine being positioned, standing on the $x$-$y$ plane at $O$, and facing along the $x$-axis towards $P$, with $P'$ on the left.
Then $P$ is then one unit below the $x$-$y$ plane.
Cartesian Coordinate Triple
Let $Q$ be a point in Cartesian $3$-space.
Construct $3$ straight lines through $Q$:
- one perpendicular to the $y$-$z$ plane, intersecting the $y$-$z$ plane at the point $x$
- one perpendicular to the $x$-$z$ plane, intersecting the $x$-$z$ plane at the point $y$
- one perpendicular to the $x$-$y$ plane, intersecting the $x$-$y$ plane at the point $z$.
The point $Q$ is then uniquely identified by the ordered pair $\tuple {x, y, z}$.
Hence:
- the point $P$ is identified with the coordinates $\tuple {1, 0, 0}$
- the point $P'$ is identified with the coordinates $\tuple {0, 1, 0}$.
- the point $P$ is identified with the coordinates $\tuple {0, 0, 1}$.
Also see
Sources
- 1951: B. Hague: An Introduction to Vector Analysis (5th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $\text I$: Definitions. Elements of Vector Algebra: $4$. Components of a Vector
- 1964: D.E. Rutherford: Classical Mechanics (3rd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $\text I$: Kinematics: $1$. Space and Time