Analytical geometry or coordinate geometry or cartesian geometry was developed by Pierre de Fermat and Rene Descartes. Analytical geometry uses algebra to study geometric properties; operates on symbols defined in a coordinate system.Analytic geometry is the study of points, curves and lines defined by algebraic expressions. The cartesian plane, the basis of analytic geometry, allows algebraic equations to be graphically represented, in a process called graphing.

Mathematical applications of analytic geometry lie mainly in relating algebra and geometry. The concepts in this section are useful for solving problems such as calculus on the cartesian plane. The study of calculus depends heavily on a clear understanding of functions, graphs, slopes of curves and shapes of curves.

The application of analytic geometry is in cartography. It can be used in the location of places and points on a topographical map. The concept of longitude and latitude is also based on analytic geometry. Hence, it can also be used in navigation.