5.1 Introduction

Coordinate geometry, also called Analytical geometry is a branch of mathematics, in which curves in a plane are represented by algebraic equations. For example, the equation x , describes a circle of unit radius in the plane. Thus coordinate geometry can be seen as a branch of mathematics which interlinks algebra and geometry, where algebraic equations are represented by geometric curves. This connection makes it possible to reformulate problems in geometry to problems in algebra and vice versa.

Thus, in coordinate geometry, the algebraic equations have visual representations thereby making our understanding much deeper. For instance, the first degree equation in two variables ax by = represents a straight line in a plane. Overall, coordinate geometry is a tool to understand concepts visually and created new branches of mathematics in modern times.