Ordinate: meaning, definitions and examples

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ordinate

 

[ ˈɔːrdɪnət ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

mathematics, coordinates

In mathematics, an 'ordinate' refers to the second element of an ordered pair, particularly in the Cartesian coordinate system. It represents the vertical position of a point in relation to a given reference. In a two-dimensional space, an ordinate is paired with an abscissa, which indicates the horizontal position. The ordinate is often denoted by the letter 'y' in mathematical equations and graphs. Understanding ordinates is essential for interpreting graphs and solving geometry problems.

Synonyms

vertical coordinate, y-coordinate

Examples of usage

  • The point has coordinates (3, 4), where 4 is the ordinate.
  • On the graph, the ordinate represents the height above the x-axis.
  • To find the ordinate, input the corresponding value into the equation.

Translations

Translations of the word "ordinate" in other languages:

🇵🇹 ordenar

🇮🇳 क्रमबद्ध करना

🇩🇪 geordnet

🇮🇩 mengatur

🇺🇦 упорядковувати

🇵🇱 uporządkować

🇯🇵 整理する

🇫🇷 ordonner

🇪🇸 ordenar

🇹🇷 düzenlemek

🇰🇷 정리하다

🇸🇦 ترتيب

🇨🇿 uspořádat

🇸🇰 usporiadať

🇨🇳 排列

🇸🇮 urediti

🇮🇸 raða

🇰🇿 реттеу

🇬🇪 დაალაგებს

🇦🇿 düzənləmək

🇲🇽 ordenar

Word origin

The term 'ordinate' originates from the Latin word 'ordinatus', which is the past participle of 'ordinare', meaning 'to arrange' or 'to order'. This etymology relates to the idea of positioning points in a systematic way on a coordinate grid. The use of 'ordinate' in the context of mathematics was solidified during the development of the Cartesian coordinate system by René Descartes in the 17th century. With the introduction of this system, the concept of ordered pairs was formalized, and 'ordinate' became a standard term for the vertical component of such pairs. Its usage has been prevalent in various fields including physics, engineering, and computer science, where precise navigation and representation in a two-dimensional plane are crucial.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,367, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.