geometry · Year 6 · AC9M6SP02
Four-quadrant coordinates
The x-axis and y-axis cross at the origin, (0, 0), and split the grid into four quadrants numbered anticlockwise from the top right. A coordinate pair is written (across, up or down). Right and up are positive, and left and down are negative. So (−2, 3) is 2 left and 3 up, in Quadrant 2. To move a point, change only the coordinate for that direction: right or left changes x, and up or down changes y. Moving right adds to x and moving left subtracts, so (−2, 3) moved 4 right is (2, 3).
Sample questions
Point P is plotted on the grid. What are the coordinates of P?
- Start at the origin, (0, 0). The first number says how far across and the second says how far up or down.
- P is 2 left of the origin and 4 above it.
- Left and down are negative, so the coordinates are (-2, 4).
Answer: (-2, 4)
Point P is plotted on the grid. What are the coordinates of P?
- Start at the origin, (0, 0). The first number says how far across and the second says how far up or down.
- P is 2 left of the origin and 1 below it.
- Left and down are negative, so the coordinates are (-2, -1).
Answer: (-2, -1)
Point P is plotted on the grid. What are the coordinates of P?
- Start at the origin, (0, 0). The first number says how far across and the second says how far up or down.
- P is 4 right of the origin and 3 below it.
- Left and down are negative, so the coordinates are (4, -3).
Answer: (4, -3)