Answer :

To locate the point [tex]\((3, -1)\)[/tex] on the coordinate plane, follow these steps:

1. Identify the Axes:
- The coordinate plane consists of two perpendicular lines: the horizontal axis (x-axis) and the vertical axis (y-axis).

2. Understand the Coordinates:
- Points on the coordinate plane are given in an [tex]\((x, y)\)[/tex] format.
- The first number, [tex]\(3\)[/tex], is the x-coordinate, which shows the horizontal distance from the origin (0, 0).
- The second number, [tex]\(-1\)[/tex], is the y-coordinate, which shows the vertical distance from the origin.

3. Locate the x-coordinate:
- Start at the origin (0, 0).
- Move horizontally (right) along the x-axis to the point 3 units. This is where [tex]\(x = 3\)[/tex].

4. Locate the y-coordinate:
- From the point where [tex]\(x = 3\)[/tex], move vertically (down) as the y-coordinate is [tex]\(-1\)[/tex]. This means moving 1 unit down.

5. Plot the Point:
- Combine the horizontal movement to [tex]\(x = 3\)[/tex] and the vertical movement down to [tex]\(y = -1\)[/tex].
- The point [tex]\((3, -1)\)[/tex] will be at the intersection of the vertical line through [tex]\(x = 3\)[/tex] and the horizontal line through [tex]\(y = -1\)[/tex].

In summary, the point [tex]\((3, -1)\)[/tex] on the coordinate plane is reached by moving 3 units to the right along the x-axis and then 1 unit down along the y-axis from the origin (0, 0).