A coordinate system is a mathematical system used to uniquely determine the position of a point or other geometric element within a space. It uses a set of numbers or coordinates to specify the location of the point relative to an origin and a set of axes. The most common coordinate system is the Cartesian coordinate system, which uses perpendicular axes (usually labeled x and y) to locate points in two-dimensional space. Other coordinate systems include polar coordinates, spherical coordinates, and cylindrical coordinates, each of which is better suited for solving specific types of problems or representing different geometries. Coordinate systems are used in various fields of study, including mathematics, physics, engineering, and computer science.