Final answer:
To plot the point (-7,-2), start at the origin of a Cartesian plane, move 7 units left, and then 2 units down, placing the point in the third quadrant.
Step-by-step explanation:
Plotting the point (−7,−2) involves finding the position on a two-dimensional graph where the x-coordinate is -7 and the y-coordinate is -2. To do this, you will start at the origin, which is the point (0,0), and move 7 units to the left since the x-coordinate is negative, and then move 2 units down because the y-coordinate is negative. This point will be in the third quadrant of the Cartesian plane because both coordinates are negative.
In relation to the information given, plotting lines or understanding the positioning of points becomes essential in graphing linear equations, calculating slopes, or even in the graphing of more complex figures like ellipses as mentioned in the reference with figure 7.3. Various graphs such as position vs. time and velocity vs. time can provide insights into the motion of objects, and the understanding of Cartesian coordinates is foundational for creating and interpreting these graphs.