Grid facts & stats

Question 1

In the ordered pair (3, 5), which number gives the x (horizontal) position?

Accepted Answer

The first number, 3. Ordered pairs are written (x, y), so the first number is the horizontal position.

Question 2

A digital image is a grid made up of tiny units called what?

Accepted Answer

Pixels. Pixels, short for 'picture elements', are arranged in rows and columns to form a digital image.

Question 3

The Cartesian coordinate system is named after which mathematician?

Accepted Answer

René Descartes. 'Cartesian' comes from Cartesius, the Latin form of René Descartes's name.

Question 4

On a map grid, in which direction do lines of latitude run?

Accepted Answer

East to west. Lines of latitude circle the globe east to west, parallel to the equator.

Question 5

At what frequency does the alternating-current power grid run in the United States and Canada?

Accepted Answer

60 hertz. North American grids use 60 Hz alternating current, while most of Europe uses 50 Hz.

Question 6

Manhattan's famous street grid was laid out in the Commissioners' Plan of which year?

Accepted Answer

1811. The Commissioners' Plan of 1811 set out Manhattan's rectangular grid of numbered streets and avenues.

Question 7

What is the distance between two points measured only along horizontal and vertical grid lines called?

Accepted Answer

Manhattan distance. Manhattan or taxicab distance adds the horizontal and vertical steps, like walking along a street grid.

The basics