Ordinate is a term used in mathematics and geometry to refer to the vertical axis of a coordinate system. The term is typically used to distinguish the vertical line from the horizontal line, which is known as the abscissa. In a two-dimensional coordinate system, the abscissa identifies the position of a point along the horizontal axis while the ordinate identifies a point’s position along the vertical axis (Khan Academy, 2020).
The ordinate is commonly used in several different applications. In graphs, the ordinate is used to represent the dependent variable, while the abscissa is used to represent the independent variable. In calculus, the ordinate measures the rate of change in a function, such as its rate of increase or decrease. It is also used in trigonometry to measure the angle and distance of a particular point relative to the origin of a circle (Khan Academy, 2020).
In addition, the ordinate can be used to describe a point in space. In three-dimensional space, the ordinate is used to describe the vertical position of a point, while the abscissa and the applicate are used to describe the horizontal and depth position (Khan Academy, 2020).
The concept of the ordinate is an important part of mathematics and geometry, and it is used in a variety of applications. Understanding the concept is essential for anyone who wishes to work with coordinate systems or graphs.
References
Khan Academy (2020). What is an ordinate? Retrieved from https://www.khanacademy.org/math/basic-geo/basic-geo-coord-plane/coordinate-plane-basics/v/ordinate-definition