The Point (1/2, 1/2)
5. Finally, Some Quadrant Action!
Finally, let's consider the point (1/2, 1/2). Here, both our x-coordinate and our y-coordinate are 1/2. This means we start at the origin (0, 0), move 1/2 a unit to the right along the x-axis, and then move 1/2 a unit up along the y-axis. And there we have it — a true quadrant dweller!
Since both the x and y values are positive, this point lies in Quadrant I. Remember, Quadrant I is the "all positive" zone, where both the x and y coordinates are greater than zero. Our point (1/2, 1/2) fits perfectly into this description.
So, after our little tour of the coordinate plane, we've finally found a home for a point involving 1/2 that actually resides in a quadrant! It took a little work, but we got there. This underscores the importance of having both an x and a y coordinate to definitively place a point.
So, the next time someone asks you "In which quadrant does the point 1/2 lie?", you can confidently respond, "Well, that depends! 1/2 by itself isn't a point. But if you give me another coordinate, I can tell you! If it is the point (1/2, 1/2), it is definitely in Quadrant I." And that, my friends, is how you conquer the coordinate plane.