Every point on a graph has an address — an ordered pair (x, y). Learn to read them, plot them, and understand what the signs tell you.
📖 The Coordinate Grid
A coordinate grid is a map. It has two number lines that cross at a point called the origin. The horizontal line is the x-axis. The vertical line is the y-axis. Every location on the grid has an address called an ordered pair.
📌 Ordered Pairs — (x, y)
Every point is named by an ordered pair: (x, y). The order matters — x always comes first, y always comes second.
Memory Trick: x comes before y in the alphabet — and x comes first in the ordered pair. Go ACROSS first (x), then UP or DOWN (y).
+x →
Positive x = move RIGHT
−x ←
Negative x = move LEFT
+y ↑
Positive y = move UP
−y ↓
Negative y = move DOWN
Always start at the origin (0, 0). Every point is plotted by starting at the center of the grid and moving from there.
🔢 Worked Example — Plotting a Point
Plot the point (−3, 2).
Step-by-Step
Step 1 — Start at the origin (0, 0)
Step 2 — x = −3 → move LEFT 3 units
Step 3 — y = 2 → move UP 2 units
Step 4 — Place the point. (−3, 2) is in Quadrant II
⚠️ Do NOT move up/down first. Always move left or right (x) before moving up or down (y). Doing it backwards lands you in the wrong spot.
⚠️ Don't switch x and y. Plotting (2, −5) as (−5, 2) is a very common mistake. The order is fixed — x first, y second, every time.
✏️ Practice Questions
Bank 1 — Coordinate Basics
Signs, quadrants, and reading ordered pairs
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