When using the right hand coordinate system, what axis is the middle finger?

When using the right hand coordinate system, what axis is the middle finger?

• A. X-axis
• B. Y-axis
• C. Z-axis
• D. Origin axis

Answer: (A)

In a right-handed coordinate system, the three axes are arranged so that X cross Y equals Z. A simple way to visualize this is to hold your right hand with the thumb pointing along the X axis and the index finger along the Y axis; your middle finger naturally points along the Z axis. So the middle finger corresponds to the Z axis. Some texts describe the mapping differently as long as the overall right-hand orientation is preserved, but the standard takeaway is that the middle finger points to Z.

In a right-handed coordinate system, the three axes are arranged so that X cross Y equals Z. A simple way to visualize this is to hold your right hand with the thumb pointing along the X axis and the index finger along the Y axis; your middle finger naturally points along the Z axis. So the middle finger corresponds to the Z axis. Some texts describe the mapping differently as long as the overall right-hand orientation is preserved, but the standard takeaway is that the middle finger points to Z.