Cartesian coordinates in three dimensions, animation. At the centre of the grid is the origin (red). This lies at point 0, 0, 0, where the X Y and Z axes meet. A point (purple) is in position 7 along the X axis, 5 on the Y axis, and 8 on the Z axis. These coordinates are written as (7, 5, 8). Shadows of the purple point are cast on each of the three perpendicular planes. The three coordinates (x, y, z) can specify a point anywhere in three dimensional space.