Definition:Ordinate

Definition

Consider the graph $y = \map f x$ of a real function $f$ embedded in a Cartesian plane.

The $y$ coordinate of a point $P = \tuple {x, y}$ on $f$ is known as the ordinate of $P$.

Also see

• Definition:Abscissa

Historical Note

The term ordinate entered the mathematical mainstream via the works of Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz, and some suggest that he may even have coined it.

Sources

• 1933: D.M.Y. Sommerville: Analytical Conics (3rd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $\text I$. Coordinates: $2$. Coordinates
• 1958: P.J. Hilton: Differential Calculus ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $1$: Introduction to Coordinate Geometry (footnote)
• 1972: Murray R. Spiegel and R.W. Boxer: Theory and Problems of Statistics (SI ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $1$: Rectangular co-ordinates
• 1998: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): ordinate
• 2008: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (4th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): ordinate