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coordinate system

coordinate system

4 3.9
A way of using numbers to find the position of points on a graph or map
  • noun
  • /ˈkoʊɔrdɪneɪt ˈsɪstəm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : sistema de coordenadas
  • For example, using the Cartesian coordinate system from the point of origin, a point is determined to be X=5, Y=3.5.
  • Cartesian coordinate system
  • origin of the coordinate system
  • two coordinate systems

So when doing this with a couple things we need to know about our Cartesian coordinate system.

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Examples

  • Use Cartesian coordinates and other coordinate systems, such as navigational, polar, or spherical systems, to analyze geometric situations.

    Academic text (2011)
  • G&M code is based on a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system.

    Academic text (2011)
  • And so this, these two coordinate systems are very different.

  • And the the coordinate system allows us to do that.

  • By comparing the results under the two coordinate systems, significant differences occurred.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The body is defined in the coordinate system XYZ.

  • To keep things simple, suppose the train is not tilted, so that the two coordinate systems are parallel.

    Academic text (1996)
  • Standardize the coordinate system, format, and precision of reported geographic locations in journal articles.

    Academic text (2013)
  • We can use this formula because all triangles in our Cartesian coordinate system are right triangles.

    Academic text (2011)
  • In math class, we learned how to graph points using the coordinate system to find their locations on a grid.

Synonyms

frame of reference
vscoordinate system
  • Specialized
5 6.1

A system for measuring where things are and how they move from one viewpoint

is focused on uniquely determining positions without tying them to an observer
reference frame
vscoordinate system
  • Specialized
3 7.2

A system that describes where and how an object is located or facing

is focused on uniquely locating points rather than specifying orientation or other properties
reference system
vscoordinate system
  • Specialized
1 4.9

A system that uses coordinates to show positions, like GPS or a map grid

is about using numbers or symbols to uniquely determine point positions

Surface Forms

Morphology

coordinate + system

The meaning is directly and compositionally built from 'coordinate' (a value specifying a point's position) plus 'system' (an organized set of components): together they denote an organized method for using coordinates to locate points. This noun–noun compounding is cross-linguistically common (e.g., sistema de coordenadas) and follows straightforward semantic composition, so a B1 learner who knows both words will readily infer the meaning.

Etymology

Coordinate system is like a street map: each coordinate (a number) works together like a street name and house number, and the system is the set of lines and rules that make the map. That's why the phrase means 'to find exact places'.