Descartes

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In Mathematics, Descartes chief contribution was in analytical geometry. Descartes saw that a point in a plane could be completely determined if its distances (conventionally 'x' and 'y') were given from two fixed lines drawn at right angles in the plane, with the now-familiar convention of interpreting positive and negative values. Conventionally, such co-ordinates are referred to as "The Rectangular Cartesian Co-ordinate System". (see coordinate systems). Descartes asserted that, similarly, a point in 3-dimensional space could be determined by three co-ordinates.

“It is not enough to have a good mind. The main thing is to use it well”. René Descartes 1637