<P> In mathematics, the origin of a Euclidean space is a special point, usually denoted by the letter O, used as a fixed point of reference for the geometry of the surrounding space . </P> <P> In physical problems, the choice of origin is often arbitrary, meaning any choice of origin will ultimately give the same answer . This allows one to pick an origin point that makes the mathematics as simple as possible, often by taking advantage of some kind of geometric symmetry . </P> <P> In a Cartesian coordinate system, the origin is the point where the axes of the system intersect . The origin divides each of these axes into two halves, a positive and a negative semiaxis . Points can then be located with reference to the origin by giving their numerical coordinates--that is, the positions of their projections along each axis, either in the positive or negative direction . The coordinates of the origin are always all zero, for example (0, 0) in two dimensions and (0, 0, 0) in three . </P> <P> In a polar coordinate system, the origin may also be called the pole . It does not itself have well - defined polar coordinates, because the polar coordinates of a point include the angle made by the positive x-axis and the ray from the origin to the point, and this ray is not well - defined for the origin itself . </P>

Where is the origin of a rectangular coordinate system​ located