The Concept of Distance from the Y-Axis
In coordinate geometry, the distance of a point from the y-axis is an important concept that helps us understand the position of points on a Cartesian plane.
Understanding the Components
- Point Representation: A point in a 2D coordinate system is represented as (x, y), where 'x' is the horizontal distance from the y-axis and 'y' is the vertical distance from the x-axis.
- Y-Axis: The y-axis is the vertical line on the coordinate plane where the x-coordinate is always zero (0).
Definition of Abscissa
- Abscissa: The term "abscissa" refers specifically to the x-coordinate of a point. It indicates how far the point is from the y-axis.
- Distance Calculation: The distance of a point (x, y) from the y-axis is the absolute value of its abscissa, which is |x|. This means:
- If the point is at (3, 2), its distance from the y-axis is 3.
- If the point is at (-4, 5), its distance from the y-axis is 4.
Other Terms Clarified
- Origin: The origin (0, 0) is the point where the x-axis and y-axis intersect, but it does not define distance from the y-axis.
- Ordinate: The term "ordinate" refers to the y-coordinate, which measures the distance from the x-axis, not the y-axis.
Conclusion
Thus, the correct answer to the question regarding the distance of a point from the y-axis is abscissa (option 'A'). Understanding this concept is crucial for solving problems in coordinate geometry effectively.

Abscissa