Every point in the \(xy\)-plane is represented by an ordered pair, \((x,y)\) that tells us its vertical and horizontal position in the plane.

The \(y\)-coordinate gives the vertical position of the point in the plane. It tells us how far up or down the plane the point lies.

The \(y\)-coordinate always comes second in the ordered pair representing the point.

For example, if the ordered pair \((3,2)\) represents the point \(P\) in the \(xy\)-plane, the \(y\)-coordinate of \(P\) is \(2\).

Another name for the \(y\)-coordinate is the "ordinate".