x-axis vs. y-axis

x-axis vs. y-axis: What's the difference?

In a Cartesian plane, the x-axis and y-axis are perpendicular to each other. The y-axis is vertical, while the x-axis is horizontal. In scientific graphing, the terms often are used to describe the two axes of a plot. Independent variables are charted on the x-axis, and dependent variables on the y-axis.

x-axis

noun

Mathematics.

plural

x-axes 

  1. Also called axis of abscissas. (in a plane Cartesian coordinate system) the axis, usually horizontal, along which the abscissa is measured and from which the ordinate is measured.

  2. (in a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system) the axis along which values of x are measured and at which both y and z equal zero.

y-axis

noun

Mathematics.

plural

y-axes 

  1. Also called axis of ordinates. (in a plane Cartesian coordinate system) the axis, usually vertical, along which the ordinate is measured and from which the abscissa is measured.

  2. (in a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system) the axis along which values of y are measured and at which both x and z equal zero.