Definition:Orientation of Coordinate Axes

This page is about orientation in the context of Analytic Geometry. For other uses, see orientation.

Definition

The orientation of a coordinate system is the disposition of the coordinate axes relative to each other.

Cartesian Plane

There are $2$ different orientations of a Cartesian plane:

$\qquad \qquad \qquad$

Cartesian $3$-Space

There are $2$ different orientations of a Cartesian $3$-space:

$\qquad \qquad \qquad$

Also known as

The orientation of a Cartesian coordinate system is known as it handedness.

The term arises from whether it is defined as a left-handed system or a right-handed system.

Sources

• 1936: Richard Courant: Differential and Integral Calculus: Volume $\text { II }$ ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $\text I$: Preliminary Remarks on Analytical Geometry and Vector Analysis: $1$. Rectangular Co-ordinates and Vectors: $1$. Coordinate Axes