Grade 6 Mathematics
The coordinate plane extends in ALL DIRECTIONS from the origin (0, 0)!
An ordered pair (x, y) tells you exactly where a point is located. The x-coordinate tells you how far LEFT or RIGHT, and the y-coordinate tells you how far UP or DOWN.
Positive x = RIGHT, Negative x = LEFT | Positive y = UP, Negative y = DOWN
The coordinate plane is divided into 4 sections called quadrants, numbered with Roman numerals going counter-clockwise from the upper right:
Memory trick: Start at Quadrant I (top right) and go counter-clockwise!
Plot the point (-4, 3)
Start at the origin (0, 0) - where the x-axis and y-axis cross.
Look at the x-coordinate: -4. The negative sign means move LEFT 4 units.
Look at the y-coordinate: 3. The positive sign means move UP 3 units.
Mark your point! This point is in Quadrant II (x is negative, y is positive).
Find the distance from point A (3, -2) to point B (3, 5)
Notice: Both points have the SAME x-coordinate (3).
When points share an x-coordinate, they're on the same vertical line!
Same x-coordinate? YES! So we use the y-coordinates to find distance.
Subtract the y-coordinates: |5 - (-2)| = |5 + 2| = |7| = 7 units
Remember: Use absolute value because distance is always positive!
WRONG: For point (5, -3), going UP 5 and RIGHT 3.
RIGHT: X comes FIRST - go RIGHT 5, then y-coordinate DOWN 3. Remember: "X marks the spot horizontally first!"
1. Point (-6, -4) is in Quadrant
x is _________ (positive/negative), y is _________ (positive/negative)
2. Point (7, -2) is in Quadrant
x is _________ (positive/negative), y is _________ (positive/negative)
3. Point (-3, 8) is in Quadrant
4. Point (0, -5) is on the axis.
(Hint: When x = 0, the point is on which axis?)
5. Distance from (4, 2) to (4, -6) = units
Same x-coordinate? _____ Use y-coordinates: |2 - (-6)| = _____
6. Distance from (-3, 5) to (7, 5) = units
Same y-coordinate? _____ Use x-coordinates: |7 - (-3)| = _____