In a coordinate plane, how do the x-axis and y-axis interact?

The x-axis and y-axis interact by forming intersecting, perpendicular lines. In a standard Cartesian coordinate system, the x-axis runs horizontally, while the y-axis runs vertically. They intersect at the origin, which is the point (0,0). This meeting creates a right angle between the two axes, demonstrating their perpendicular relationship.

Being perpendicular is fundamental to the coordinate plane as it allows for the organization of points in a systematic way. Every point in this system is defined by an ordered pair, where the first value corresponds to its position on the x-axis and the second value corresponds to its position on the y-axis. This structure is essential for graphing linear equations, understanding geometric shapes, and performing calculations involving coordinates.

The other options do not accurately describe the relationship between these axes in a Cartesian plane, as they do not reflect the geometric properties that define how the x and y axes interact.