Home Back

Cartesian Plane Equation Calculator

Cartesian Plane Equation:

\[ Ax + By + C = 0 \]

dimensionless
dimensionless
dimensionless

Unit Converter ▲

Unit Converter ▼

From: To:

1. What is the Cartesian Plane Equation?

The Cartesian plane equation (Ax + By + C = 0) represents a straight line in a two-dimensional coordinate system. It's a fundamental concept in analytic geometry that describes the relationship between x and y coordinates on a plane.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard form equation:

\[ Ax + By + C = 0 \]

Where:

Explanation: The equation represents a straight line where A and B cannot both be zero. The line's slope and intercept can be derived from these coefficients.

3. Importance of Cartesian Plane Equation

Details: This equation is essential for graphing lines, solving systems of equations, and understanding geometric relationships in mathematics, physics, and engineering applications.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the coefficients A, B, and C as dimensionless values. At least one of A or B must be non-zero to define a valid line equation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What if both A and B are zero?
A: If both A and B are zero, the equation becomes C = 0, which either has no solution (if C ≠ 0) or is true for all points (if C = 0), but doesn't represent a line.

Q2: How do I convert to slope-intercept form?
A: To convert Ax + By + C = 0 to y = mx + b form, solve for y: y = (-A/B)x - (C/B) when B ≠ 0.

Q3: What does a zero coefficient mean?
A: If A = 0, the line is horizontal. If B = 0, the line is vertical. If C = 0, the line passes through the origin.

Q4: How are parallel lines represented?
A: Parallel lines have the same A:B ratio. For example, 2x + 3y + 1 = 0 and 4x + 6y + 5 = 0 are parallel.

Q5: Can this represent curves?
A: No, Ax + By + C = 0 only represents straight lines. Curves require higher-degree equations.

Cartesian Plane Equation Calculator© - All Rights Reserved 2025