planes and 3D space

the right hand rule

Take and place you hand on the Z axis. If you can turn the X axis to the Y axis (in only 90 degrees) you have a right hand coordinate system.

We will also use the right hand rule to determine the direction of a normal of a plane. By convention, the direction of the normal will point out, or is on the outside face of a plane. Most systems require that polygons be specified based on the right hand rule. That is, let the right hand fingers follow the order of specified points, the thumb will then point in direction of the surface normal and will be on the outside face the plane.