Can We Change the Origin in the xy Plane?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of the origin in the xy plane and whether it can be defined at points other than (0,0), such as (1,1) or (2,0). The scope includes definitions, coordinate systems, and the implications of changing the origin.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that the point (0,0) is defined as the origin, and changing this definition does not make sense.
  • Others propose that it is possible to define different origins for different coordinate systems, such as having one system with an origin at (0,0) and another at (2,0).
  • A later reply clarifies that while the origin of a second system may be at (2,0) in the first system's coordinates, within the second system, the origin is still defined as (0,0).

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally disagree on whether it is valid to redefine the origin to points other than (0,0), with some insisting on the traditional definition and others exploring the implications of multiple coordinate systems.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the dependence on definitions of origin and the implications of using different coordinate systems, but does not resolve the underlying conceptual disagreements.

LagrangeEuler
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Almost always in xy plane we take that origin is ##(0,0)##. Is it possible to take that origin is in the point ##(1,1)##, or some other point?
 
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The point (0,0) is called origin. That is just a definition. It does not make sense to give another point the same name.
 
If I want to use some translation in x-axis I need more then one coordinate system, for example. So origin of first system for instance is ##(0,0)## and for second is ##(2,0)##?
 
The origin of the second system is at ##(2,0)## in the coordinates of the first system, but using the coordinates of the second system the origin, by definition, is at ##(0,0)##. As mfb said, it doesn't make sense to use the term to apply to some other point in the coordinate system.
 

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